Introduction to a word association method designed to help you expand your vocabulary through semantic networks. By linking specific locations to the objects and purposes found within them, you can more effectively acquire new terms related to their environment.
This lesson organizes these connections into four distinct sectors: residential, commercial, governmental, and communal spaces. Each category provides practical examples and dialogue snippets that demonstrate how these linguistic links function in real-world conversations.
Words are best understood when viewed as interconnected families rather than isolated definitions, making vocabulary learning more intuitive and meaningful.
Places, Things and Purpose
Word Association for Faster Vocabulary Growth
Practice expanding vocabulary horizontally semantic networks.
Place → Item → Action → Purpose
Examples:
bakery → bread → buy → food
library → books → borrow → study
drugstore → medicine → purchase → health
Words belong to families, but they also connect to each other in networks.
As you move around a city, you can link each place with the things you find there. This helps you remember vocabulary more easily.
Complete your cards by sector
🏡 Residential Area
🏬 Commercial Area
🏛️ Government & Public Services
🌳 Public & Community Spaces
Remember words live in families AND in networks.
🎧 LISTENING
Listen to these four everyday conversations in different town areas and identify the location.
___ 🏡 Residential Area
___ 🏬 Commercial Area
___ 🏛️ Government & Public Services
___ 🌳 Public & Community Spaces
Practice
Match the words and the definitions. Then practice asking the questions with a partner.
A: What's a ...? B: It's a place where you ...
a) drugstore ......... wash and dry clothes.
b) laundromat ......... have a meal.
c) library ......... get stamps and mail letters.
d) post office ......... buy medicine.
e) restaurant ......... see a movie or play.
f) supermarket ......... buy groceries.
g) theater ......... borrow books and read newspapers.
Now write definitions for these places:
bank -
bookstore -
bus station -
coffee shop -
clothing store - It’s a place where you find new fashions.
drugstore -
gas station -
gym -
Internet café -
music store -
travel agency -
... - .- It’s a place where you ..
Match the dialoges with its corresponding location.
🏡 Residential Area
🏬 Commercial Area
🏛️ Government & Public Services
🌳 Public & Community Spaces
1. ______________________
Child: “Can you push me higher on the swing?”
Parent: “Hold tight! After this, we’ll walk over to the fountain to feed the ducks.”
Child: “Yay! And can we stop by the big lawn so I can kick the ball?”
Parent: “Of course, but let’s stay near the benches so we don’t lose sight of each other.”
2. ______________________
Customer: “Do you have this jacket in a smaller size?”
Shop Assistant: “Let me check the rack. If not, I can order it for you and have it delivered.”
Customer: “Perfect. I’ll also grab a coffee from across the hall while I wait.”
Shop Assistant: “Sure, I’ll hold this at the counter for you.”
3. ______________________
A: “Could you lower the music a bit? The baby upstairs just went to sleep.”
B: “Of course, I didn’t realize it was so loud. By the way, did you see the new neighbor moving in next door?”
A: “Yes, they were unloading boxes all afternoon. I think they’ll fit right in with the rest of us here.”
4. ______________________
Citizen: “I need to renew my ID card. Do I need an appointment?”
Clerk: “Yes, but we can schedule it right here. Please fill out this form and bring two photos.”
Citizen: “Got it. Is the tax office still on the second floor?”
Clerk: “Yes, just past the waiting area. They’ll guide you once you’re upstairs.”