Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)

Topic: City Life & Country Life

We will examine and practise vocabulary related to life in the city and countryside.

Lesson Notes July 21, 2026 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• My friend asked if I wanted a ticket to a concert, but I had other plans, so I couldn’t take it. (= it didn’t fit my schedule) (See Appropriate Language below)

• In the heavy rain, the ground was like a lake and the roads like a river.

  • I lent my friend long riding boots to get to her car!

• For matches like soccer, we can say “first half” and “second half”

  • Even for basketball, which is divided into “quarters” we can also use “first half” (first two quarters) and “second half” (last two quarters)

Appropriate Language

• "Plans" is about specific commitments or fun activities you've arranged. It's warm, conversational, and ideal for casual chats.

  • "Do you have any plans this weekend?"

  • "I have plans with my family tonight.”

  • “We’ve got a plan to go to the movies tonight, do you want to join us?”

• "Schedule" treats your time like a grid or calendar. It's often used to talk about availability, work, or overall busyness.

  • "My schedule is completely packed this week!"

  • "Let me check my schedule and get back to you."

  • “What’s on the kids’ schedule for this summer break?”

City Life

• Phrasal Verb: "Stress out" means feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or tense about something.

  • (Incorrect) I was stressing at work.

  • (Correct) I was stressing out at work.

• We can use “a car park, a parking space, or parking (no article)

  • Sorry I am late, I have trouble finding parking near the station.

  • My school needs more bicycle parking, more and more students are biking these days.

• Culture (uncountable noun) means art, music, traditions, history, human creativity

• Cultural Activities (plural noun) are specific events like going to a convert, visiting a museum, watching a play at a theatre (an opera, kabuki, noh, musicals etc)

  • “the cinema” and “the movie theatre” have the same meaning, but “the theatre” is where you go to watch plays.

Next Lesson

July 28, 2026 - City Life: review page 1, do exercises on page 2