C1 ADVANCED · VOCABULARY · TOPIC VOCABULARY
Cities and communities
Words like urban sprawl, gentrification, sense of community and amenities.
Finn says
C1 discussions about where people live focus on urban problems, housing and community life. Learn the words in groups, with the words they go with, and try to use two or three of them next time you practise Speaking or Writing.
Urban life
urban / rural
of cities / of the countryside
Rural areas are losing young people.
urban sprawl
cities spreading into the countryside
Urban sprawl destroys farmland.
gentrification
richer people moving into a poor area, raising prices
Gentrification has pushed locals out.
amenities
useful facilities like parks and shops
The area has excellent amenities.
affordable housing
homes people can pay for
There's a shortage of affordable housing.
a commuter town
a town where people live but work elsewhere
It's a commuter town – empty during the day.
Community
a sense of community
feeling part of a group
Villages often have a strong sense of community.
close-knit
where people know and support each other
It's a close-knit neighbourhood.
rural depopulation
people leaving the countryside
Rural depopulation is a problem in Spain.
quality of life
how good life is
Green spaces improve quality of life.
bustling / vibrant
full of energy
The market is bustling on Saturdays.
isolated
far away, alone
Elderly people can feel isolated in the countryside.
Make it better
The same idea, first in basic English, then in the kind of language that gets a higher mark.
- Basic: Rich people moved in and prices went up.Better: The area has undergone gentrification.The precise term.
- Basic: People there know each other well.Better: It's a close-knit community.An advanced adjective.
- Basic: Young people are leaving villages.Better: Rural depopulation is a growing problem.Formal, great for essays.
- Basic: There are good parks and shops.Better: The area has excellent amenities.One precise noun.
Finn's exam tip
Use contrasting adjectives to compare places: bustling vs peaceful, vibrant vs isolated, urban vs rural. In Speaking Part 2, this helps you compare photos quickly and precisely.
Quick check
Choose the best answer.
🇪🇸 Guía en español: Phrasal verbs para el C1 Advanced: lista con ejemplos →
Practice → Check → Learn → Repeat ↻