Essential CELPIP words · Topic 7 of 20

CELPIP vocabulary: transportation and commuting

Everyday words and phrases for transportation and commuting 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 7 of our 500 essential CELPIP words.

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Nouns 23

commute
nounCLB 6/kəˈmjuːt/
The trip to and from work.
“My commute takes forty minutes by bus.”
Similartrip to workjourneytravel time
CELPIP tip Also a verb: "I commute by bus." A long commute is a good reason in Speaking Task 5.
public transit
nounCLB 6
Buses, trains and subways for everyone.
“Public transit is cheaper than parking downtown.”
Similarpublic transportationtransitmass transit
CELPIP tip Canadians say "transit" more than "public transport"; you "take" transit.
transit pass
nounCLB 6
A card for unlimited trips for a period.
“A monthly transit pass saves money if you ride every day.”
Similarbus passmonthly passfare card
CELPIP tip Compare its cost with driving to give clear numbers in Speaking Task 5.
fare
nounCLB 6/fer/
The price of a trip.
“The bus fare went up in January.”
Similarticket pricechargecost
CELPIP tip Do not confuse it with "fair" (just) or "fair" (festival); they sound the same.
bus route
nounCLB 5
The path a bus follows.
“The bus route changed because of construction.”
Similarbus linerouteline
CELPIP tip Listen for route numbers and changes in Listening Part 3 announcements.
schedule
nounCLB 5/ˈskedʒuːl/
A list of times.
“Check the train schedule before you leave.”
Similartimetabletimelineplan
CELPIP tip Pattern: on schedule, behind schedule, ahead of schedule. Read times carefully in Reading Part 2.
delay
nounCLB 5/dɪˈleɪ/
A period of waiting longer than planned.
“There's a 20-minute delay on the subway.”
Similarhold-upwaitsetback
CELPIP tip Also a verb: "The flight was delayed." Listen for the length of the delay in announcements.
rush hour
nounCLB 6
The busiest travel times.
“Avoid the highway at rush hour.”
Similarpeak hoursbusy periodmorning rush
CELPIP tip Usually without "the": "at rush hour", "during rush hour".
traffic jam
nounCLB 5
A long line of slow cars.
“I was stuck in a traffic jam for an hour.”
Similargridlockcongestionbackup
CELPIP tip You get "stuck in" a traffic jam. "Heavy traffic" is a natural alternative.
detour
nounCLB 7/ˈdiːtʊr/
A different route around a closed road.
“Follow the detour signs on Main Street.”
Similardiversionalternate routebypass
CELPIP tip Pattern: take a detour, follow the detour. Listen for detour details in Listening Part 3 traffic announcements.
road closure
nounCLB 7
A road blocked to traffic.
“Expect road closures during the marathon.”
Similarclosed roadlane closureblockage
CELPIP tip Often plural in announcements; listen for dates and alternative routes in Listening Part 3.
construction zone
nounCLB 7
An area where road work is happening.
“Slow down in construction zones.”
Similarwork zoneroadworksconstruction area
CELPIP tip Fines are often doubled in construction zones; signs may appear in Reading Part 2.
ride-share
nounCLB 7/ˈraɪdʃer/
A paid trip booked in an app.
“I took a ride-share home after the concert.”
Similarrideshareapp taxihired ride
CELPIP tip Avoid brand names in the test; "ride-share" or "taxi" is clear and neutral.
parking permit
nounCLB 7
A document allowing you to park.
“Residents need a parking permit on this street.”
Similarparking passparking licenceresidential permit
CELPIP tip Pattern: a permit for a street or zone. Common in Reading Part 2 notices.
platform
nounCLB 6/ˈplætfɔːrm/
Where you wait for a train.
“The train leaves from platform 3.”
Similartrackstation platformboarding area
CELPIP tip Listen for platform numbers and changes in Listening Part 3 announcements.
connection
nounCLB 7/kəˈnekʃən/
A change from one bus or train to another.
“I missed my connection because of the delay.”
Similartransferlinkconnecting train
CELPIP tip "Miss" or "make" a connection. Also called a "transfer" on Canadian buses.
bike lane
nounCLB 6
Part of a road for bicycles.
“The new bike lane makes cycling safer.”
Similarcycle lanebike pathcycling lane
CELPIP tip A frequent topic in Writing Task 2 surveys on city planning; give a safety argument.
cyclist
nounCLB 6/ˈsaɪklɪst/
A person riding a bicycle.
“More cyclists use the bridge in summer.”
Similarbike riderriderbiker
CELPIP tip "Biker" can suggest motorcycles; "cyclist" is clearer for bicycles.
pedestrian
nounCLB 7/pəˈdestriən/
A person walking.
“Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks.”
Similarwalkerperson on footfoot traffic
CELPIP tip Pairs with "right of way" and "crosswalk". A good word for road-safety opinions.
driver's licence
nounCLB 6
Official permission to drive.
“I'm studying for my driver's licence test.”
Similardriving licencelicencepermit
CELPIP tip Canadian spelling for the noun is "licence"; the verb is "license".
car insurance
nounCLB 6
Coverage for accidents and damage.
“Car insurance is expensive for new drivers.”
Similarauto insurancevehicle coveragecar coverage
CELPIP tip Pair it with "premium" or "rates" when comparing car costs in Speaking Task 5.
tow truck
nounCLB 6
A truck that pulls broken cars.
“We waited two hours for a tow truck.”
Similartow vehiclewreckerrecovery truck
CELPIP tip "Call a tow truck" is natural; the car "gets towed".
winter tires
nounCLB 6
Tires made for snow and ice.
“Put your winter tires on before the first snowfall.”
Similarsnow tiresstudded tirescold-weather tires
CELPIP tip Canadian and US spelling is "tires"; "tyres" is British. Required in some provinces.

Verbs 1

carpool
verbCLB 7/ˈkɑːrpuːl/
To share a car to work or school with other people.
“Four of us carpool to save on gas.”
Similarride togethershare a ridecar-share
CELPIP tip Also a noun: "join a carpool". A cost-saving option to suggest in Speaking Task 5.

Phrasal verbs 1

break down
phrasal verbCLB 6
For a vehicle or machine, to stop working.
“My car broke down on the way to work.”
Similarstop workingfailconk out
CELPIP tip No object: "The car broke down." Do not confuse it with "breakdown", the noun.

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.

Nouns 23

commute

public transit

transit pass

fare

bus route

schedule

delay

rush hour

traffic jam

detour

road closure

construction zone

ride-share

parking permit

platform

connection

bike lane

cyclist

pedestrian

driver's licence

car insurance

tow truck

winter tires

Verbs 1

carpool

Phrasal verbs 1

break down

How to learn these words

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