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Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL /

Houses and Buildings

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mansion
2-
lighthouse
3-
skyscraper
4-
warehouse
5-
shelter
6-
cellar
7-
landmark
8-
property
9-
shed
10-
tomb
11-
column
12-
structure
13-
to construct
14-
concrete
15-
floor plan
16-
exterior
17-
interior
18-
rooftop
19-
chimney
20-
aisle
21-
decor
22-
residential
23-
spacious
24-
vacant
25-
abandoned
26-
drain
27-
to collapse
28-
decorator
mansion
mansion
noun
m
m
a
æ
n
n
s
ʃ
io
ə
n
n
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a very large and impressive house

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Example
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The billionaire lives in a luxurious mansion overlooking the ocean.
They were invited to a gala event hosted at a historic mansion in the countryside.
What is a "mansion"?

A mansion is a large, impressive house, often featuring luxurious amenities and expansive grounds. It is typically associated with wealth and status, designed to provide both comfort and grandeur. Mansions often have multiple floors, numerous rooms such as a ballroom and library, and outdoor spaces like gardens and swimming pools. They are often found in wealthy neighborhoods or secluded locations, offering privacy and an extravagant lifestyle. Mansions are usually owned by rich individuals or families and are designed to offer an elevated living experience.

lighthouse
lighthouse
noun
l
l
i
gh
th
th
o
a
u
ʊ
s
s
e

a large structure, such as a tower, placed near the coast and equipped with a powerful light that guides or warns the approaching ships

skyscraper
skyscraper
noun
s
s
k
k
y
s
s
c
k
r
r
a
p
p
e
ɜ
r
r

a modern building that is very tall, often built in a city

What is a "skyscraper"?

A skyscraper is a very tall, multi-story building that is designed for offices, apartments, or other purposes. These buildings are typically made of steel and glass, allowing them to reach great heights while remaining strong and stable. Skyscrapers are often found in large cities and are considered symbols of modern architecture and urban development. They offer space for many people or businesses and have features like elevators to move quickly between floors. Skyscrapers are designed to maximize space in crowded areas where land is limited.

warehouse
warehouse
noun
w
w
a
ɛ
r
r
e
h
h
o
a
u
ʊ
s
s
e

a large place in which raw materials or produced goods are stored before they are sold or distributed

shelter
noun
sh
ʃ
e
ɛ
l
l
t
t
e
ɜ
r
r

a place or building that is meant to provide protection against danger or bad weather

What is a "shelter"?

A shelter is a structure or place that provides protection and safety from the weather or other dangers. It can be temporary or permanent and is designed to keep people or animals safe from rain, wind, sun, or cold. Shelters can range from simple tents or huts to more complex buildings like houses or cabins. They can be found in many settings, including outdoor areas, cities, or emergency situations, offering a space for rest, warmth, and security. Shelters are essential for survival, especially in harsh or challenging environments.

cellar
cellar
noun
c
s
e
ɛ
ll
l
a
ɜ
r
r

an underground storage space or room, typically found in a building, used for storing food, wine, or other items that require a cool and dark environment

What is a "cellar"?

A cellar is a room or space located below ground level in a building, often used for storage. It is typically found beneath homes, where it serves as a place to store food, wine, or other items that require cool or dry conditions. Cellars can also be used for additional living space, such as a laundry room or recreation area. They are usually accessed by a staircase or trapdoor and may have small windows or ventilation for air circulation.

landmark
landmark
noun
l
l
a
æ
n
n
d
d
m
m
a
ɑ
r
r
k
k

a structure or a place that is historically important

property
property
noun
p
p
r
r
o
ɑ
p
p
e
ɜ
r
r
t
t
y
i

a building or the piece of land surrounding it, owned by individuals, businesses, or entities

What is "property"?

Property refers to physical land and the structures on it that are owned by an individual, group, or organization. It includes land and any buildings such as houses, commercial buildings, or industrial spaces. Property can be bought, sold, rented, or developed for various purposes, such as living, working, or manufacturing. The owner of the property has legal rights to control and use it, following local laws and regulations.

shed
noun
sh
ʃ
e
e
d
d

a simple and small cottage-like building that is built to store things or shelter animals

What is a "shed"?

A shed is a small, simple building, usually found in a garden or backyard, used for storage or as a workspace. It is often made of wood, metal, or plastic and has a roof and walls to protect its contents from the weather. Sheds are commonly used to store tools, gardening equipment, bicycles, or other items. They can also be used as a workshop, art studio, or small shelter. Sheds are typically not designed for living in but serve as practical, multifunctional spaces.

tomb
tomb
noun
t
t
o
u
m
m
b

an overground or underground grave that is large in size and is often made of stone

What is a "tomb"?

A tomb is a structure or chamber built to hold the body of a deceased person. It is typically made of stone, brick, or concrete and is often found in cemeteries or burial sites. Tombs can range in size from simple graves to elaborate buildings, and some are designed with intricate carvings or inscriptions to honor the deceased. They are intended to provide a place of rest and remembrance for those who have passed away. Some tombs, particularly those of notable figures, may be considered landmarks or historical sites.

column
column
noun
c
k
o
ɑ
l
l
u
ə
m
m
n

a vertical structural element, often made of stone, that supports the weight of the building above it

What is a "column"?

A column is a tall, vertical structure used to support a building or other structures. It is often round or square in shape and made of materials like stone, wood, metal, or concrete. Columns are commonly found in architecture, especially in classical designs, where they are used to hold up roofs, porches, or ceilings. They can be decorative as well as functional, sometimes featuring detailed carvings or capitals at the top. Columns are important elements in many buildings, giving them stability while adding aesthetic appeal.

structure
structure
noun
s
s
t
t
r
r
u
ə
c
k
t
ʧ
u
ɜ
r
r
e

anything that is built from several parts, such as a house, bridge, etc.

to construct
to construct
Verb
c
k
o
ɑ
n
n
s
s
t
t
r
r
u
ə
c
k
t
t

to build a house, bridge, machine, etc.

Grammatical Information:

transitive
concrete
concrete
noun
c
k
o
ɑ
n
n
c
k
r
r
e
i
t
t
e

a hard material used for building structures, made by mixing cement, water, sand, and small stones

What is "concrete"?

Concrete is a building material made by mixing cement, water, sand, and small stones or gravel. It is strong and durable when it hardens and is used in a variety of construction projects, such as buildings, roads, and bridges. Concrete can be poured into molds to form different shapes, and it is valued for its strength, versatility, and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh weather. It can also be reinforced with steel to improve its strength and resistance to cracking.

floor plan
noun
uk flag
/flˈoːɹ plˈæn/

the design of a building that depicts the shape, size, and positioning of rooms and furniture in a structure from above.

What is a "floor plan"?

A floor plan is a detailed drawing that shows the layout of a building or a room from above. It displays the arrangement of walls, doors, windows, and other features like furniture or appliances. Floor plans are used to help design and visualize how space will be used and organized. They also show the dimensions of rooms and the relationship between different areas of a building. Architects, builders, and homeowners use floor plans to plan construction or renovation projects.

exterior
exterior
Adjective
e
ɪ
x
ks
t
t
e
ɪ
r
r
io
r
r

located on the outer surface of a particular thing

interior
interior
interior
Adjective
i
ɪ
n
n
t
t
e
ɪ
r
r
io
r
r

located on the inside part of a particular thing

exterior
rooftop
rooftop
noun
r
r
oo
u
f
f
t
t
o
ɑ
p
p

the external surface of a building roof

What is a "rooftop"?

A rooftop is the uppermost part of a building, typically flat or sloped, that covers the structure and protects it from weather elements. Rooftops can serve various purposes, including protecting the building from weather elements, providing insulation, and allowing for the installation of equipment such as air conditioning units or solar panels. Many rooftops are also used as outdoor spaces, such as rooftop gardens, patios, or terraces, where people can relax, entertain, or enjoy views of the surrounding area. Rooftops can be finished with various materials, such as tiles, shingles, or membranes, depending on the design and function of the building.

chimney
chimney
noun
ch
ʧ
i
ɪ
m
m
n
n
e
y
i

a channel or passage that lets the smoke from a fire pass through and get out from the roof of a building

aisle
aisle
noun
ai
aɪə
s
l
l
e

a narrow passage in a theater, train, aircraft, etc. that separates rows of seats

decor
decor
noun
d
d
e
c
k
o
ɔ
r
r

the way a room or building's interior is decorated

residential
residential
Adjective
r
r
e
ɛ
s
z
i
ɪ
d
d
e
ɛ
n
n
t
ʃ
ia
ə
l
l

(of an area with buildings) designed specially for people to live in

nonresidential
spacious
spacious
Adjective
s
s
p
p
a
c
ʃ
iou
ə
s
s

(of a room, house, etc.) large with a lot of space inside

vacant
Adjective
v
v
a
c
k
a
ə
n
n
t
t

(of a house, room, seat, etc.) empty or unoccupied and available to be used

abandoned
abandoned
Adjective
a
ə
b
b
a
æ
n
n
d
d
o
ə
n
n
e
d
d

(of a building, car, etc.) left and not needed or used anymore

drain
drain
noun
d
d
r
r
ai
n
n

a pipe in the bottom of a sink, bath, etc. through which dirty water flows out

What is a "drain"?

A drain is a pipe or channel designed to carry away waste liquids, such as water or sewage, from a building or area. It allows for the removal of excess water or waste by directing it to a safe location, such as a sewer or septic system. Drains are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas, helping to prevent flooding or water buildup. They can vary in size and are often covered with grates or caps to prevent debris from entering.

to collapse
to collapse
Verb
c
k
o
ə
ll
l
a
æ
p
p
s
s
e

(of a construction) to fall down suddenly, particularly due to being damaged or weak

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
decorator
noun
d
d
e
ɛ
c
k
o
ɜ
r
r
a
t
t
o
ɜ
r
r

someone whose job is to paint the inside walls of buildings and hang wallpaper

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