Using Collocations for Natural English - Elizabeth Walter, Kate Woodford 2010
Collocations for where we live
Review Units 9-12
City life
These exercises focus on collocations relating to living in a town or city.
1 Read two different descriptions of the same area. Match the collocations in bold to the definitions 1-10.
RUSH AND BAKER RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS
4 The Broadway, Hartington Town
Hartington Town
With its attractive Victorian houses and tree-lined streets, Hartington Town continues to be one of the most popular residential areas of the city. It has a wealth of shops and local amenities, schooling for all ages and a large superstore. There are plenty of green spaces for children to enjoy. With its unique atmosphere, this is a friendly neighbourhood, enjoyed by families and students alike. It is within easy reach of the train station and just twenty minutes' walk from the town centre.
Having been to estate agent Rush and Baker's website and read their description of the Hartington Town area of the city, I immediately called a letting agency and arranged to inspect a property for rent in the area. The next day, I came to Hartington Town and was disappointed to say the least.
Where Rush and Baker see 'a popular residential area', I saw only shabby houses and overflowing bins. The amount of rubbish on the pavements was frankly disgracefol, though probably caused in part by the complete lack of recycling facilities in the area. Cars were parked on every available pavement with, as far as I could tell, no provision for off-road parking. As for Rush and Baker's description of the 'friendly neighbourhood', I saw very little evidence of this. I witnessed two arguments during my half-hour in the area - both over parking - and as it became darker, felt distinctly unsafe walking the dimly lit streets.
I, for one, will certainly not be moving into the Hartington Town area.
Victoria Billington
1 an area where cars can be left that is not the side of the road
2 large containers in public places that people put used paper, bottles, etc., into so that they can be changed into other things and used again
3 near enough to a place so that you can go there easily
4 rubbish containers that are much too full
5 roads with little light
6 a road in a town with a lot of trees
7 areas of grass where there are no buildings, for example parks
8 places where there are a lot of houses
9 places such as swimming pools and parks that make it pleasant or easy for people to live in an area
10 an area of a city with people who are pleasant and helpful to each other
Study tip
Notice how the choice of words can make a place sound attractive or unattractive.
Classroom extra
Ask students to discuss what sort of area they like to live in. First, ask them to rank the above collocations from 1 to 10, 1 being the best feature and 10 the worst. Then ask them in pairs to compare their lists and explain their decisions.
2 Jonathan and Tiane are trying to decide where to live. They list the five most important things for them. Rewrite their lists using collocations from Exercise 1.
Tiane
1 lots of pars for walks
2 near to the town centre
3 lots of trees growing by the road
4 drive or other space for car
5 no dark roads at night (don't feel safe)
Jonathan
1 an area with nice people
2. Lots of shops, post office, etc., nearby
3 in part of town, with other houses
4 no rubbish spilling out onto the street
5 places to take used bottles, paper, etc.
3 Read the messages on a social networking website by people who have just moved house. Complete the updates 1-10 with the sentences a-j.
1 Just taken Basil (my dog) for a walk in one of several parks in this area.
2 Just moved into very friendly neighbourhood - can't believe how helpful people are.
3 Can't work out where the recycling facilities are in this area.
4 Wonder if local amenities in this neighbourhood include a pool?
5 One problem with this area - where to leave car?
6 New neighbourhood so green and leafy.
7 Love it that I'm in town but within easy reach of the countryside.
8 Walked home alone along dimly lit streets and didn't feel safe.
9 People in the house opposite had a party last night and kept half the street awake with their noise.
10 Find all these overflowing bins depressing.
a What am I supposed to do with my bottle mountain?
b This is supposed to be a quiet residential area!
c Never seen so many green spaces in a town!
d No off-road parking and limited spaces in my street.
e Am desperate for a swim.
f Such a pleasure to walk down tree-lined streets.
g Planning a walk in the hills this weekend.
h 2 complete strangers helped me get my sofa out of van and into sitting room!
i Why doesn't the council empty them more often?
j Will take a taxi next time.
4 Complete the sentences using the collocations you have learned above.
1 House for rent in quiet ... area.
2 We walked down elegant tree - ... streets.
3 At that time, there were few local ... - no supermarkets or post offices, no swimming pools or sports centres.
4 These inner-city areas had no green ... where you could take the kids or walk the dog.
5 I'm very happy living in this part of town -it's a very friendly ... .
6 I want to live somewhere that's within easy ... of London.
7 I wish the council would empty these ... bins.
8 There are fantastic recycling ... almost on every street corner.
9 There is very little ... parking in the middle of town.
10 Do you feel safe walking along these ... streets at night?
Country life
These exercises focus on collocations relating to living in the countryside.
5 Underline the correct word to complete the collocations. Use a dictionary to help you if necessary.
1 We drove along winding/bending/curving lanes for over an hour before reaching the village.
2 The guidebook described a 'pretty village deep in the body/heart/bosom of the countryside'
3 They have a more relaxed way/method/type of life in the country.
4 Outside she could hear the sound of tyres on the cobbled/stoned/stony streets.
5 The charity was set up to protect this area of vintage/ancient/elderly woodland.
6 From the top of the hill we had a great view of the startling/surprising/ breathtaking scenery.
7 We drove through the most pictorial/picturesque/photographic villages on the way there.
8 Our room looked out onto beautiful rounded/rolling/curving hills.
6 Bea is describing a visit to her friend Charlotte in her diary. Replace the underlined phrases with collocations from the box.
remote village • way of life • winding lanes • rolling hills • cobbled streets • ancient woodland • picturesque village • in the heart of the countryside
7 Put the phrases in the correct order to make sentences. Add punctuation where necessary.
1 rolling hills/window onto/she looked out/of her hotel
2 a long time/it took me/the way of life here/to get used to
3 of the Oxfordshire countryside/this is a/right in the heart/beautiful little village
4 reached the village/we walked/lanes till we/along winding
5 I've ever seen/this must/picturesque village/be the most
6 of the horses' hooves/hear the sound/on the cobbled streets/I could
7 the area you/if you visit/absolutely breathtaking scenery/will see some
8 ancient woodland/almost destroyed/forest fires have/this area of
8 Complete the postcards, using the collocations you have learned.
9 Read the description of a village in a guidebook. Six of the adjectives in the collocations have become muddled up. Put them in the right places to correct the text.
LOWER BROOKFORD
This winding village, deep in the heart of the Eastmoreland countryside, is generally considered to be the prettiest in the region and is well worth a visit. Set in picturesque hills, with cows and sheep grazing in the fields, it is a half-hour drive from the nearest town (Tonville). The journey itself is a pleasure, driving along breathtaking country lanes and through a marvellous area of cobbled woodland, then climbing to the top of Penny Hill. Stop there for a moment to savour the ancient scenery before dropping down into the valley where Lower Brookfield is situated. Have tea in the grounds of the centrally located Rosefort or stroll through the rolling streets and admire the eighteenth-century architecture. However you choose to spend your time here, you are sure to enjoy yourself. ■
Classroom extra
If this unit is being done in class, ask students in pairs to discuss their feelings about living in the town or the city. Are they like Lara - or more like Beth?