CELPIP vocabulary: community and local life
Everyday words and phrases for community and local life that come up across CELPIP Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, each with its meaning, an example, similar words and a CELPIP tip. This is topic 2 of our 500 essential CELPIP words.
Nouns 23
community centre
nounCLB 5A public building for local activities.
“The community centre offers free English classes.”
Similarrec centrecivic centrerecreation centreCELPIP tip Canadian spelling is "centre", not "center". Common subject in Writing Task 2 surveys on local spending.
fundraiser
nounCLB 6/ˈfʌndreɪzər/An event to collect money for a cause.
“The school held a fundraiser for new playground equipment.”
Similarcharity eventbenefitdriveCELPIP tip Pairs with "hold" or "organize". Good example of community spirit in Speaking Task 2 stories.
residents
nounCLB 6/ˈrezɪdənts/People who live in an area.
“Residents were invited to share their opinions online.”
Similarlocalsinhabitantscommunity membersCELPIP tip More formal than "people who live here"; use it in Writing Task 2 to sound neutral and objective.
city council
nounCLB 7The elected group that runs a city.
“City council will vote on the new bike lanes next month.”
Similarmunicipal councilcity halllocal governmentCELPIP tip Takes a singular verb in Canada: "City council has approved the plan."
by-law
nounCLB 8/ˈbaɪlɔː/A local rule made by a city.
“A city by-law limits construction noise on Sundays.”
Similarbylawlocal ruleordinanceCELPIP tip Also spelled "bylaw". Mentioning a by-law gives authority to a complaint about noise or parking.
petition
nounCLB 7/pəˈtɪʃən/A signed request for a change.
“Over 500 people signed the petition to keep the pool open.”
Similarappealsigned requestcampaignCELPIP tip Common verbs: start, sign or launch a petition. A natural action to suggest in Writing Task 2.
donation
nounCLB 6/doʊˈneɪʃən/Something given to help others.
“The shelter accepts donations of winter coats.”
SimilarcontributiongiftofferingCELPIP tip Pattern: a donation to a charity, a donation of food or money.
food bank
nounCLB 6A charity that gives out free food.
“Demand at the food bank rises every winter.”
Similarfood pantrycommunity kitchencharityCELPIP tip Volunteering at a food bank is an easy, believable story for Speaking Task 2.
proposal
nounCLB 7/prəˈpoʊzəl/A suggested plan.
“The proposal would turn the empty lot into a park.”
SimilarplansuggestionrecommendationCELPIP tip Writing Task 2 often gives two proposals; name the one you support in the first sentence.
public consultation
nounCLB 9A process to collect people's opinions.
“The city is holding a public consultation on the new library.”
Similarcommunity consultationpublic input sessiontown hallCELPIP tip Formal civic language; Reading Part 4 and Listening Part 5 use it for planning debates.
facility
nounCLB 7/fəˈsɪləti/A building made for a purpose.
“The new sports facility opens in the spring.”
SimilarcentrebuildingvenueCELPIP tip Often plural: "sports facilities", "medical facilities". Use it to avoid repeating "building".
playground
nounCLB 5/ˈpleɪɡraʊnd/An outdoor area where children play.
“The playground needs safer equipment.”
Similarplay areaparkplay structureCELPIP tip Safety and age range are good details to add when a survey asks about playground upgrades.
crosswalk
nounCLB 6/ˈkrɔːswɔːk/A marked place to cross the street.
“Parents asked for a crosswalk near the school.”
Similarpedestrian crossingzebra crossingCELPIP tip "Crosswalk" is the Canadian and US word; British English says "zebra crossing".
speed bump
nounCLB 7A raised strip that slows cars down.
“Speed bumps were added after several accidents.”
Similarspeed humptraffic-calming bumpCELPIP tip Useful with "install" or "add". Pair with child safety to argue for it in Writing Task 2.
community garden
nounCLB 6Shared land where neighbours grow food.
“I rent a small plot in the community garden.”
Similarallotmentshared gardenurban gardenCELPIP tip You "rent a plot" in one. A strong option when a survey asks how to use empty land.
recycling program
nounCLB 7A system for collecting reusable waste.
“The new recycling program collects glass every two weeks.”
Similarrecycling schemewaste collectionblue box programCELPIP tip Canadian spelling is "program" for this meaning, not "programme".
local business
nounCLB 6A small shop or company in the area.
“Supporting local businesses keeps the area lively.”
Similarsmall businessneighbourhood shopindependent storeCELPIP tip Common pairing: "support local businesses", a handy reason in Writing Task 2 opinions.
newcomer
nounCLB 6/ˈnuːkʌmər/Someone who has recently arrived.
“The library runs workshops for newcomers to Canada.”
Similarnew arrivalimmigrantrecent arrivalCELPIP tip Pattern: a newcomer to Canada. A respectful, neutral word often used in Reading passages.
membership fee
nounCLB 6Money paid to join a group.
“The membership fee is $40 a year.”
Similarjoining feeduesannual feeCELPIP tip Use "pay" or "charge". Reading Part 2 price lists often compare membership fees.
bulletin board
nounCLB 6A board for notices and posters.
“I saw the ad on the bulletin board at the grocery store.”
Similarnotice boardmessage boardcorkboardCELPIP tip You "post" a notice on a bulletin board; "notice board" is more common in British English.
sign-up sheet
nounCLB 6A list where people add their names.
“Please add your name to the sign-up sheet by Friday.”
Similarregistration listsign-in sheetlistCELPIP tip The verb is two words ("sign up") but the noun is hyphenated: sign-up sheet.
organizer
nounCLB 6/ˈɔːrɡənaɪzər/A person who plans an event.
“The organizers expect about 300 people.”
SimilarplannercoordinatorhostCELPIP tip Canadian spelling uses -ize: organizer, organize. Usually plural for events.
attendance
nounCLB 7/əˈtendəns/The number of people who come.
“Attendance was lower than expected because of the rain.”
Similarturnoutnumber of guestsparticipationCELPIP tip Pairs with "high" or "low", never "many". "Turnout" is a natural alternative in Listening.
Verbs 1
volunteer
verbCLB 5/ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr/To work without pay to help others.
“I volunteer at the food bank on Saturdays.”
Similarhelp outoffer your timepitch inCELPIP tip Pattern: volunteer at a place, volunteer for a cause. It is also a noun for the person.
Adjectives 1
inclusive
adjectiveCLB 8/ɪnˈkluːsɪv/Welcoming to everyone.
“We want the festival to be inclusive for all ages.”
Similarwelcomingopen to allaccessibleCELPIP tip Pair it with "of": "inclusive of all ages". A strong word for Writing Task 2 on community events.
How to learn these words
- Skip the words you already use with confidence, and start with the ones at or just above your target CLB. Pick a level in Any CLB level to see only those.
- Say each example sentence out loud, then make your own sentence about your life.
- Open Flashcards to test yourself. Words you mark I know it drop out of the To learn view.
- Use two or three of the words on purpose in your next Speaking or Writing practice answer.
More CELPIP vocabulary by topic
- Housing and renting (25 words)
- Work and the workplace (25 words)
- Jobs and careers (25 words)
- Shopping and customer service (25 words)
- Money, banking and bills (25 words)
- Transportation and commuting (25 words)
- Travel and holidays (25 words)
- Health and wellness (25 words)
- Education and children (25 words)
- Family, friends and social life (25 words)
- Food and eating out (25 words)
- Weather and the environment (25 words)
- Technology (25 words)
- News and current events (25 words)
- Events and free time (25 words)
- Requests, complaints and apologies (25 words)
- Opinions and persuasion (25 words)
- Describing pictures and scenes (25 words)
- Linking words (25 words)
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