My neighborhood

My neighborhood is very peaceful and quiet. It is a new neighborhood, and there are a lot of big houses and some apartment buildings. The streets are very clean, and there aren’t many cars. My school is near my house. I can walk there in 10 minutes.

There’s also a park, which has a small playground for children and a large field. I like to play baseball there with my friends after school. All of the houses have a small front yard but big back yards. Most of my neighbors have a swimming pool, and some even have a trampoline!

Everyone has a flower garden, and in the spring, it is very beautiful. My road is called Maple Road. It is not in the city. It’s in the suburbs. There aren’t any restaurants, bars or cinemas on my road. But, if you go to Main street, you can find a lot of things to do. My favorite store is there. It’s called Knick-Knack, and they sell everything you can imagine.

I like my neighborhood because it is very safe. There is no crime, and all of my neighbors take care of each other. The police station is next to the school, which is very nice. However, the hospital is quite far. It is in the city, and we have to drive 30 minutes to get there.

My friends live near me, and we often meet up to play or just talk. We love playing hockey in the street because there isn’t any traffic. I think I am lucky to live in my neighborhood.

Are these sentences TRUE or FALSE?

• It's a busy neighborhood with lots of activity.

• There are only a few cars on the streets.

• He enjoys playing in the playground near his home.

• People decorate their flower gardens in the fall to make them beautiful.

• He lives in the city.

• He lives on Main Street.

• He lives beside the police station.

• He’s very happy with his neighborhood.

AN INFORMAL E-MAIL: Hello from Edinburgh! 

Hi Alex,

How are you? I’m writing to you from Edinburgh, the city I’m visiting this week. It’s such an amazing place! The city is full of old buildings, modern shops and cosy cafés. I usually visit small towns, but this one is bigger than my hometown and also more interesting than many places I know.

Right now, I am sitting in a small café near the castle and I am drinking a hot chocolate. People around me are taking photos, are talking, and are enjoying the sunny weather. The streets are really lively today, and everything feels very vibrant.

Every morning, I walk around the city centre and look at all the different buildings. The architecture is very special here. The castle is the most impressive place in the city for me. It stands on a hill and it looks fantastic from every street. Tourists always stop to take pictures of it.

In the afternoons, I usually visit museums or go for a walk in the parks. The parks are greener than the ones in my city, and there are many people who are jogging, are playing sports or just are relaxing on the grass. I also try local food, and I’m really enjoying it!

I love being here and discovering new places every day. Are you doing anything special this week? Are you planning any trips soon?

Write back soon!
Marta