Vocabulary in Practice
Build your first 300 English words one small unit at a time. Learn the words, then practise with instant feedback – following the topics in Vocabulary in Practice 1 (Cambridge University Press).
The familyVocabulary – words for family members and relationships – 42 interactive questions
📖 Word Notes – The family
Learn the words first, then try the 6 exercises.
1 Tier 1 – The Concept & Nuance: Nuclear, Extended & In-Law Families
Family vocabulary in English is organized around generations and degrees of kinship. Notice how English uses neutral terms like cousin for both genders, and compounds with grand- and -in-law.
father / dad · parents (both)
son · daughter · children (plural)
brother · sister · siblings
grandmother / grandma / granny
grandparents · grandchild / grandchildren
uncle · aunt · cousin (male/female)
only child (no brothers or sisters)
twins (two children born together)
relative / relation (any family member)
💡 Cousin Rule: In English, your aunt or uncle’s child is always simply called your cousin regardless of gender. Never say “cousin brother” or “cousin sister”.
2 Tier 2 – Essential Collocations & Confusing Pairs
| Grow up (intransitive) | Used for the child getting older: “I grew up in a small town in Canada.” |
| Bring up / Raise (transitive) | Used for parents caring for and educating children: “My parents brought up three children.” |
3 Tier 3 – Top 3 Common Learner Pitfalls
– Rule: Cousin stands alone in English; gender is inferred from pronouns (she/he).
– Rule: Child → children is an irregular plural noun.
– Rule: Use bring up / raise with an object (children).
Made with care for English learners · allenglish4u.com
Practice material based on the Vocabulary in Practice 1 syllabus (Cambridge University Press). Original interactive practice by All English 4U.