Flat landscapes: describing and comparing places
Niveau CECR : B1
Read/Listen first
We drove for miles across flat fields. Compared with home, the land felt lower and more open. Although it was flat, it was peaceful and easy to cycle. We reached one viewpoint after half an hour on quiet roads.⚡ Learning goals
- I can compare two places.
- I can describe a landscape clearly.
- I can support opinions with reasons.
✨ Key language
- comparatives with -er “This road is quieter than that one.”
- not as … as “It is not as varied as home.”
- contrast linker “Although it is flat, it is calm.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Comparatives -er
Rule: Add -er + than.Examples: flatter than this; quieter than usual; smaller than before
Common pitfall + fix: Missing ‘than’ — Use ‘than’.
This road is ___ than that.
Tip: -er form.
Fill with the best answer:
The view was ___ interesting.Tip: ‘more’ + long adj.
2️⃣ not as … as
Rule: Use for negative comparison.Examples: not as varied as home; not as high as the Alps; not as busy as Berlin
Common pitfall + fix: Wrong form — Use ‘not as’ + adj + ‘as’.
It is ___ green as spring.
Tip: Fixed phrase.
Fill with the best answer:
It is ___ as busy as last week.Tip: Use ‘not as … as’.
3️⃣ Past simple
Rule: Use for finished events.Examples: We arrived on time; We parked; We visited a park
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing tenses — Keep past simple.
We ___ tickets.
Tip: Irregular past.
Fill with the best answer:
They ___ the ferry at noon.Tip: Regular past.
4️⃣ Linkers for contrast
Rule: Although/whereas show contrast.Examples: Although it rained, we went; Whereas home is hilly, this is flat; While roads were empty, shops were open
Common pitfall + fix: Using ‘but’ twice — Use one linker.
___ it was flat, we enjoyed it.
Tip: Concession linker.
Fill with the best answer:
___ it helps, review outputs.Tip: Balance ideas.
✍️ Vocabulary
viewpoint
Meaning: a place to look at scenerySynonyms: lookout,overlook
Chunk/Idiom: reach a viewpoint
Example: We reached a viewpoint nearby.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
contactless
Meaning: tap-to-pay methodSynonyms: NFC,tap-to-pay
Chunk/Idiom: accept contactless payment
Example: Do you accept contactless?.
Morphology: adjective
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
receipt
Meaning: paper record of paymentSynonyms: proof,slip
Chunk/Idiom: ask for a receipt
Example: Can I have a receipt, please?.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
ferry
Meaning: boat carrying cars and peopleSynonyms: boat,ship
Chunk/Idiom: take the ferry
Example: We took a fast ferry.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
giraffe
Meaning: very tall animalSynonyms: animal,ungulate
Chunk/Idiom: a giraffe walks past
Example: A giraffe walked past our car.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
signposting
Meaning: guiding phrases in talksSynonyms: framing,roadmapping
Chunk/Idiom: use clear signposting
Example: Use clear signposting in talks.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Write one sentence using this word.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Denmark felt flatter than the Netherlands.
This area is not as varied as home.
Although it was flat, we enjoyed it.
The roads were quieter than usual.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct form.
Tip: Use -er.
Pick the linker for contrast.
Tip: Concession.
Fill with the best answer:
We ___ the ferry at noon.Tip: Past simple.
Fill with the best answer:
It was ___ as busy as last week.Tip: Use ‘not as … as’.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
‘Receipt’ means ____.
Tip: Slip you get.
‘Viewpoint’ is a place to ____.
Tip: Lookout spot.
Fill with the best answer:
Tap to pay with ____.Tip: Payment method.
Fill with the best answer:
A tall animal is a ____.Tip: Long neck.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Could I pay by card, please?B: Sure, tap the terminal.
Thanks, have a nice day.
Why this matters:
Language for travel reduces stress. Clear phrases save time. Signs are often short.Verb & Adjective Pack:
- tap — Tap your card to pay.
- queue — We queued for tickets.
- compare — Compare places clearly.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Do you ___ contactless payments?
Tip: Verb for allowing.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: Although it helps but we must review.
Tip: One linker only.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Although it is flat, it feels peaceful.Tip: Stress ‘although’.