Everyday English · Road, Car & Transit
On the Road & Transit: 16 Everyday English Words
Recognize common road, car and public-transit words children hear while walking, riding, crossing streets, taking a bus or following everyday travel directions.
What to do
Road and transit words appear on signs, in school reminders and in everyday directions: where to cross, where to wait, what a driver is doing and how a bus or train trip is organized.
Aim for broad recognition. Picture the place or action, hear the word, understand a normal sentence, then move on.
Core everyday words
crosswalk
noun · KROSS-wawkA marked place where people cross a road.
Example: We waited at the crosswalk before crossing.
sidewalk
noun · SYDE-wawkA path beside a road for people walking.
Example: We stayed on the sidewalk beside the street.
curb
noun · KURBThe raised edge between a sidewalk and the road.
Example: The ball stopped beside the curb.
intersection
noun · in-ter-SEK-shunA place where two or more roads meet.
Example: Turn left at the next intersection.
traffic light
noun · TRAF-ik liteA red, yellow and green signal that controls traffic.
Example: The traffic light changed to green.
stop sign
noun · STOP signA red eight-sided sign telling drivers to stop.
Example: The car stopped at the stop sign.
speed limit
noun · SPEED LIM-itThe maximum legal speed shown for a road.
Example: The sign shows the speed limit.
lane
noun · LAYNOne marked strip of a road used by a line of vehicles.
Example: The bus moved into the right lane.
turn signal
noun · TURN SIG-nulA flashing light showing that a vehicle plans to turn or change lanes.
Example: The driver used the turn signal before turning.
seat belt
noun · SEET beltA safety belt worn across a person in a vehicle.
Example: I buckled my seat belt before the car moved.
booster seat
noun · BOO-ster seetA seat that raises a child so a vehicle seat belt fits properly.
Example: The child sat in a booster seat.
bus stop
noun · BUS stopA marked place where a bus picks up and drops off passengers.
Example: We reached the bus stop early.
route
noun · ROOTThe path a bus, train or vehicle follows.
Example: This route goes past the library.
fare
noun · FAIRThe money paid for a ride on public transit.
Example: The fare was paid with a transit card.
transfer
noun · TRANS-ferA change from one transit line or vehicle to another.
Example: We made one transfer downtown.
platform
noun · PLAT-formThe raised area where passengers wait beside a train or subway track.
Example: We waited on the platform for the train.
Quick Check
Quick Check
Match familiar signs, places and vehicle words.
1. Where do people normally cross a road when one is marked?
- crosswalk
- platform
- lane
- fare
2. Which word means the raised edge between the sidewalk and the road?
- curb
- route
- transfer
- seat belt
3. Which item is worn across a person inside a vehicle?
- seat belt
- turn signal
- stop sign
- platform
4. What do you call the place where two roads meet?
- intersection
- fare
- lane
- bus stop
Context
Context
Use the sentence to recognize the travel word.
5. We waited beside the sign until our bus arrived at the ______.
6. This bus ______ goes from our neighbourhood to the station.
7. The driver flashed the left ______ before turning.
8. We changed from the subway to a bus, so we made a ______.
Quick-check answers
- 1. crosswalk
A crosswalk is the marked crossing place. - 2. curb
The curb forms the edge of the sidewalk. - 3. seat belt
A seat belt restrains a person in a vehicle. - 4. intersection
An intersection is where roads meet. - 5. bus stop
A bus stop is the pickup and drop-off place. - 6. route
A route is the path a transit vehicle follows. - 7. turn signal
A turn signal shows an intended turn or lane change. - 8. transfer
A transfer means changing from one transit service or line to another.