The same fifteen words as the cards above, written out in full — easy to scan, search or print.

hometownA2noun

the town or village where you were born or grew up

Saroo’s hometown is a small, poor village in central India.

where you’re fromA2phrase

the place a person comes from; their home

In Calcutta, Saroo cannot explain where he’s from.

rootsB1noun

your family’s origins; the place and people you came from

Years later, Saroo decides to look for his roots.

feel out of placeB1idiom

to feel uncomfortable because you are somewhere you do not fit

Alone on the busy streets, the little boy feels out of place.

fit inB1phrasal verb

to become part of a group, comfortable and accepted

It takes time, but Saroo fits in with his new family.

feel at homeB1idiom

to feel relaxed and secure, as if a place were your own

After a few years in Tasmania, he feels at home beside the sea.

take someone inB1phrasal verb

to welcome someone into your home to live with you

An Australian couple take Saroo in and raise him as their son.

homesickA2adjective

sad because you are far from home and want to go back

On her first week abroad, Maria felt terribly homesick.

long forB2phrasal verb

to miss someone or something badly, for a long time

He still longs for the brother he lost as a child.

lose touch withB1idiom

to stop speaking to someone, gradually and by accident

I lost touch with my school friends after I moved away.

track someone downB1phrasal verb

to find someone after a long, difficult search

It took her months to track down her old teacher.

belongB1verb

to truly feel part of a place or a group of people

For a while, Saroo is not sure where he belongs.

distressingB2adjective

very upsetting to see or hear

The scenes of a small boy alone on the streets are distressing.

heartbreakingB1adjective

making you feel very sad

The little boy’s face as the train leaves is heartbreaking.

humaneB2adjective

kind, and full of compassion for people

It is a humane film about family and kindness.