village, town, and city:
village: outside the city town:small city: big
history / a story
“History” = real past events, subject “Story” = made-up tale or narrative
make somebody study something / let somebody study something
“Make” = force “Let” = allow (give permission)
pass an exam / fail an exam
You succeed or not on a test.
be punished / be suspended
Both are consequences, but: Punished = stay after school, get a warning, etc. Suspended = sent home from school for a serious reason.
a principal / a teacher
Both work at a school. A principal is the boss; a teacher teaches students.
a nursery school / an elementary school
Related but not the same level: Nursery = preschool (ages 3–5) Elementary = primary (ages 5–11)
a child / a student
A child can be a student, but not all students are children (some are teenagers/adults)
a public school / a private school
In the US: Public = free, government-run Private = paid, independent (Note: in the UK, “public school” can mean a private, elite school)
pass an exam / fail an exam
You succeed or not on a test.
chimney and fireplace
chimney: outside structure fireplace: inside wood and fire
patio and yard
patio: concrete yard: grass
suburbs vs outskirts
Suburbs are developed, close to the city, and have more things to do. Outskirts are on the edge of the city, usually quieter and less developed.
modern vs old
modern: new model old: ancient
Gate vs. entrance
Gate is usually for entering the property; entrance is the door into the house.
a graduate / a student /undergraduate
A graduate was a student. Now they’ve finished school/university. undergraduate=university student
a term / a semester
Both mean part of the school year. "Term" (UK), "Semester" (US)
high school and secondary school
Same meaning: "High school" (US) = "Secondary school" (UK)
wall vs fence
wall:bricks or blocks fence:lighter materials and mark boundaries
cabin vs cottage
cabin: wooden house in the countryside cottage: not only wood but other materials on the beach or the countryside
path vs hallway
path outside / hallway inside
ceiling and roof
ceiling: inside roof:outside
Attic and basement
Both are extra spaces in a house used for storage. One is at the top, the other at the bottom.
condominium vs residential complex
condo: a house to share gated communitiy: houses with a big gate
cheat / misbehave
Cheat = copy or lie in exams. Misbehave = act badly (talking, fighting, etc.).