Module code: 2096
↑×📐 Positional language (foreground, top left corner, in the distance…) is the same on every image lesson — see Where things are at the end.
Ready to Land?
This photograph was taken from inside an aircraft seconds before touchdown at a small regional airport in the Scottish Highlands. Study the key vocabulary below, then listen to the descriptions carefully — each task builds on what came before, so the language you practise early will help you in the tasks that follow.
📚 Key Vocabulary
These terms appear in the descriptions — learn them before you listen.
runway — the paved strip where aircraft land and take offthreshold — the marked start point of the landing areathreshold markings — broad white stripes painted at the runway's near endcentreline — the dashed line running along the middle of the runwayrunway edge lights — amber lights spaced along both sides of the runwaytaxiway — the path aircraft use to move between runway and apronapron — the concrete area where aircraft park at standsstand — a marked parking position for an aircraft on the aproncontrol tower — the tall building from which air traffic is managedhangar — a large building used to shelter or service aircraftairside — the secure area beyond the terminal, where aircraft operatefinal approach — the last straight section of flight path before landing
🎧 Listen and read
Before: Before you listen, look at the key vocabulary and think about what an airport seen from above might look like.
While listening: As you listen, notice how the speaker moves from the runway in the foreground outward to the buildings and landscape beyond.
After: After listening, close your notes and try to recall the position of at least four features — you will need this for the tasks ahead.
💡 Press play, then scroll back up to the photo. If the photo is off-screen, a copy floats at the bottom — tap it to enlarge.
×🎧 1 · Short description
📖 1 · Short description — read along
This aerial photograph, taken from inside an aircraft on final approach, looks forward along the centreline of Runway 27 at a small regional airport in the Scottish Highlands.
The runway threshold markings and designation number are clearly visible below, with amber edge lights lining both sides of the asphalt strip.
To the right, a parallel taxiway leads to the concrete apron, where several white regional aircraft are parked at stands surrounded by ground support vehicles.
A slender control tower and a glass-fronted terminal building stand behind the apron, while a large white hangar bearing the name 'Highland Air' occupies the far right. Beyond the airport boundary, a tidal estuary and distant purple-grey hills complete the landscape.
🎧 2 · Full description
📖 2 · Full description — read along
Photographed from a passenger window seat during final approach, this image places the viewer directly behind the flight path, looking forward and downward along the centreline of Runway 27.
The threshold markings — broad white parallel stripes painted across the near end of the runway — dominate the lower portion of the frame, with the designation number '27' painted just above them.
Amber runway edge lights are spaced evenly along both sides of the dark asphalt surface, and dashed centreline markings draw the eye toward the far end of the runway, where the perspective lines converge sharply.
A strip of mown green infield separates the runway from the parallel taxiway running along its right side. Beyond the taxiway lies the light grey concrete apron, where three small regional aircraft are parked at stands, their white fuselages marked with blue livery.
A cluster of ground support vehicles — including what appears to be a fuel tanker — is positioned around the aircraft. Behind the apron, a slender air traffic control tower rises above the surrounding buildings, its glazed cab visible at the top.
Adjacent to it, a modern glass-fronted terminal building sits within the airport's airside boundary, separated from the landside car park by a green metal mesh perimeter fence.
A large white metal-clad hangar, identified by the 'Highland Air' sign on its facade, occupies the far right of the frame.
In the distance, the scene opens out into a wider Scottish Highland landscape: a band of dense woodland gives way to residential streets, and beyond the airport boundary, a wide tidal estuary stretches across the upper left of the frame.
Low hills and mountains, rendered in muted purple-grey tones by atmospheric haze, line the horizon under a partly cloudy sky.
🎧 3 · The story behind the picture
📖 3 · The story behind the picture — read along
The photograph captures a moment seconds before touchdown. The aircraft is committed to its approach, aligned precisely with the runway centreline, and the threshold markings are close enough to read clearly.
On the apron, the parked aircraft and surrounding ground vehicles suggest that earlier arrivals have already been turned around or are being serviced.
The next sequence of events is predictable: the aircraft will cross the threshold, touch down in the designated zone, decelerate along the runway, and then turn off onto the taxiway to reach the apron.
For the passengers on board, the view through the window — estuary, hills, and a small terminal — would signal arrival in a remote but distinctive part of Scotland.
🧰 Your word bank
All the target words for this picture.
📚 Word bank
All the target words for this picture. Tap a word to hear it.
📝 Key Vocabulary Recap31 terms from this lesson
◆ runway
A long, paved strip at an airport on which aircraft take off and land. Runways are numbered according to their magnetic heading and are the primary operational surface of any airport.
Register: technical
Common collocations: land on a runway, take off from a runway, runway markings, runway lights, clear the runway, runway designation
Example: The pilot aligned the aircraft with the runway before beginning the final descent.
Usage notes: Used in both aviation and general language; always a countable noun. In ATC communication, referred to by its designation number (e.g., 'Runway 27'). Do not confuse with taxiway, which is only used for ground movement.
Often confused with: taxiway, centreline, touchdown zone
◆ threshold
The marked beginning of the usable landing portion of a runway, indicated by broad white stripes. Aircraft should not touch down before this point.
General meaning: The point at which something begins; a boundary or entry point.
Register: technical
Common collocations: runway threshold, cross the threshold, threshold markings, displaced threshold, touch down beyond the threshold
Example: The aircraft crossed the threshold at the correct height before touching down in the designated zone.
Usage notes: In aviation, always refers to the beginning of the landing area of a runway. In general use, it means the point at which something begins or changes. Learners should note the aviation meaning is more specific and technical than everyday use.
Often confused with: threshold markings, touchdown zone, final approach
◆ threshold markings
The broad white parallel stripes painted across the beginning of a runway to show pilots exactly where the safe landing area starts.
Register: technical
Common collocations: painted threshold markings, cross the threshold markings, runway threshold markings
Example: The threshold markings were clearly visible as the aircraft descended on its final approach.
Usage notes: Always plural when referring to the full set of stripes. Distinct from the threshold itself, which is the conceptual boundary; these are the physical painted indicators of that boundary.
Often confused with: threshold, centreline, runway designation
◆ runway designation
The two-digit number painted in large figures at the end of a runway, representing its magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees and divided by ten (e.g., a heading of 270° gives designation '27').
Register: technical
Common collocations: runway designation number, read the runway designation, opposite runway designation, painted runway designation
Example: The runway designation painted at the threshold read '27', indicating a westerly heading.
Usage notes: Opposite ends of the same runway always differ by 18 (e.g., Runway 09 / Runway 27). A letter suffix (L, R, or C) is added when parallel runways exist. Not the same as runway name or runway number in casual speech, though often used interchangeably.
Often confused with: runway, threshold markings, centreline
◆ centreline
A continuous or dashed white line painted along the middle of a runway or taxiway, which pilots follow to stay correctly positioned during landing, take-off, or ground movement.
Register: technical
Common collocations: follow the centreline, runway centreline, taxiway centreline, align with the centreline, straddle the centreline
Example: During the landing roll, the pilot steered carefully to keep the nose wheel on the centreline.
Usage notes: British English spelling is 'centreline'; American English uses 'centerline'. Both are acceptable in international aviation contexts. Refers specifically to the painted marking, not to an imaginary line.
Often confused with: runway, taxiway, threshold markings
◆ touchdown zone
The section of a runway immediately beyond the threshold, marked with white rectangular bars, where aircraft are designed to make first contact with the ground during landing.
Register: technical
Common collocations: land in the touchdown zone, touchdown zone markings, touchdown zone lights, aim for the touchdown zone
Example: A smooth landing requires the pilot to aim for the touchdown zone and avoid touching down too early or too late.
Usage notes: Distinct from the threshold (which is the boundary) and the runway as a whole. Landing short of this zone (before the threshold) is a serious error. The zone is visually marked by symmetrical rectangular bars on both sides of the centreline.
Often confused with: threshold, final approach, runway
◆ runway edge lights
White lights placed at regular intervals along both sides of a runway to define its edges, especially important for pilots operating in darkness or poor visibility conditions.
Register: technical
Common collocations: runway edge lights illuminate, white runway edge lights, taxiway lights, approach lights
Example: As the aircraft touched down after dusk, the runway edge lights clearly defined the landing surface on both sides.
Usage notes: Always white along the main runway length; they turn yellow in the last 600 metres to warn pilots they are approaching the end. Different from approach lights (before the runway) and taxiway lights (blue, on taxiways).
Often confused with: taxiway, threshold markings, touchdown zone
◆ taxiway
A paved path at an airport that aircraft use to move between the runway and other areas such as the terminal, apron, or hangar, without using the runway itself.
Register: technical
Common collocations: turn onto the taxiway, vacate via the taxiway, taxiway centreline, taxiway lights, high-speed taxiway
Example: After landing, the aircraft turned off the runway and followed the taxiway toward the apron.
Usage notes: Not to be confused with the runway, which is used for take-off and landing only. Aircraft 'taxi' along a taxiway. Taxiways are typically identified by letters (e.g., Taxiway Alpha, Taxiway Bravo).
Often confused with: runway, apron, taxi
◆ apron
The large paved area of an airport where aircraft are parked, and where ground operations such as loading, unloading, fuelling, and servicing take place.
Register: technical
Common collocations: park on the apron, cross the apron, apron management, apron lighting, remote apron stand
Example: Several aircraft were visible on the apron, being refuelled and restocked by ground crews.
Usage notes: Also informally called the 'ramp', particularly in North American English. The apron contains individual stands (parking positions). It is part of the airside zone and requires authorisation to access.
Often confused with: stand, taxiway, airside
◆ stand
A designated parking position on the airport apron where a specific aircraft is directed to park between flights, often numbered or coded for air traffic management.
Register: technical
Common collocations: allocated stand, remote stand, push back from the stand, park at a stand, stand number
Example: Ground control directed the aircraft to stand seven, where passengers would board via steps rather than a jet bridge.
Usage notes: Primarily British English aviation terminology. American English often uses 'gate' (for terminal-connected positions) or 'parking position'. A remote stand is away from the terminal; a contact stand is directly connected to it.
Often confused with: apron, gate, terminal
◆ control tower
A tall, distinctive building at an airport from which air traffic controllers manage the safe and orderly movement of all aircraft, both in the air within the local area and on the ground.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: contact the control tower, cleared by the control tower, control tower frequency, regional control tower, manned control tower
Example: The pilot radioed the control tower to request clearance to land.
Usage notes: Often abbreviated to 'tower' in radio communications (e.g., 'Tower, this is Golf Alpha Bravo…'). At smaller regional airports, the tower may have limited operating hours. Not all airports have a control tower.
Often confused with: terminal, hangar, airside
◆ terminal
The main passenger-facing building at an airport where travellers check in, pass through security, wait in departure lounges, and board or disembark from aircraft.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: terminal building, passenger terminal, arrive at the terminal, domestic terminal, terminal gate
Example: From the air, the terminal was visible as a glass-fronted building alongside the apron.
Usage notes: Large airports may have multiple terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, etc.). The terminal is on the landside/airside boundary — check-in and arrivals are landside; departure gates are airside. At small regional airports, the terminal may be a single modest building.
Often confused with: stand, control tower, landside
◆ hangar
A large, enclosed building at an airport used to shelter aircraft and provide a controlled environment for maintenance, repair, or storage.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: aircraft hangar, maintenance hangar, hangar doors, park in a hangar, metal-clad hangar
Example: A small propeller aircraft was visible inside the open hangar at the edge of the apron.
Usage notes: Pronounced 'HANG-er' — do not confuse the spelling with 'hanger' (a device for hanging clothes). At regional airports, hangars are often metal-clad structures used by private operators or charter companies.
Often confused with: terminal, apron, ground support vehicle
◆ ground support vehicle
Any of the specialised vehicles used on the airport apron to service aircraft on the ground, including fuel tankers, baggage loaders, catering trucks, and aircraft tugs.
Register: technical
Common collocations: ground support vehicle fleet, airport ground support, ground handling vehicle, airside vehicle
Example: Several ground support vehicles surrounded the aircraft as soon as it came to a stop at the stand.
Usage notes: An umbrella term covering a wide variety of specialised airport vehicles. Also referred to as 'ground support equipment' (GSE). These vehicles are restricted to the airside area and must follow strict movement rules on the apron.
Often confused with: apron, airside, hangar
◆ infield
The grassed or unpaved areas enclosed within the airport perimeter, lying between or alongside the runways and taxiways, typically kept clear for safety and drainage purposes.
Register: technical
Common collocations: airport infield, grass infield, infield grass, infield area
Example: From the air, the green infield contrasted sharply with the grey paved surfaces of the runways and taxiways.
Usage notes: Not to be confused with the sports use of 'infield' (the inner area of a baseball or cricket ground). In aviation and aerial photography contexts, it refers specifically to the non-paved land within the operational boundaries of an airport.
Often confused with: apron, perimeter fence, airside
◆ perimeter fence
The security barrier that runs around the entire outer boundary of an airport, designed to prevent unauthorised access to the airside area and protect aircraft and infrastructure.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: airport perimeter fence, breach the perimeter fence, along the perimeter fence, perimeter security, perimeter lighting
Example: The perimeter fence was visible at the edge of the airport grounds, separating the airside from the surrounding fields.
Usage notes: The perimeter fence is a key element of airport security. Access through it requires authorisation and identification checks. Breaching it is a serious criminal offence at most airports worldwide.
Often confused with: airside, landside, infield
◆ airside
The restricted zone of an airport beyond the security checkpoint, encompassing the runways, taxiways, apron, and aircraft stands — areas only accessible to authorised personnel and ticketed passengers.
Register: technical
Common collocations: airside access, airside pass, airside operations, airside zone, move airside
Example: Once through security, passengers entered the airside area where the departure gates were located.
Usage notes: Contrasts directly with 'landside'. Used as both a noun and an adjective (e.g., 'an airside pass'). Access to airside areas requires an approved security pass or boarding pass. Staff working airside must wear visible identification.
Often confused with: landside, apron, terminal
◆ landside
The publicly accessible part of an airport that can be entered without a boarding pass or security clearance, including the entrance, check-in area, and arrivals hall.
Register: technical
Common collocations: landside area, landside facilities, landside access, landside car park, landside zone
Example: Family members who had come to see passengers off waited in the landside café near the check-in desks.
Usage notes: The direct opposite of 'airside'. The boundary between landside and airside is the security checkpoint. Shops and restaurants exist on both sides of this boundary. Used as both a noun and a modifier.
Often confused with: airside, terminal, perimeter fence
◆ final approach
The last stage of an aircraft's descent before landing, during which it is fully aligned with the runway centreline and descending steadily toward the threshold.
Register: technical
Common collocations: on final approach, established on final approach, intercept the final approach, long final approach, short final approach
Example: The cabin crew were instructed to prepare for landing as the aircraft joined the final approach.
Usage notes: The phrase 'on final' is common shorthand in radio communication. 'Established on final approach' means the aircraft is correctly aligned and stabilised. Preceded by the base leg and preceded further by the downwind leg in a standard circuit pattern.
Often confused with: approach, threshold, touchdown zone
◆ livery
The distinctive colour scheme, logo, and visual design applied to the exterior of an aircraft to identify the airline or company that operates it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: airline livery, aircraft livery, distinctive livery, special livery, retro livery, branded livery
Example: The aircraft's bright yellow livery made it immediately recognisable as belonging to a regional budget carrier.
Usage notes: Uncountable when referring to a single scheme; 'liveries' is used when comparing designs across airlines. Originally referred to the uniform worn by household servants — the aviation meaning is an extension of 'identifying uniform'. Not to be confused with 'liver' or the adjective 'lively'.
Often confused with: regional, aerial, parallel
◆ estuary
The broad tidal mouth of a river where freshwater meets and mixes with the sea, typically forming a wide, flat expanse of water and mudflats visible from the air.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: river estuary, tidal estuary, estuary coastline, overlooking an estuary, wide estuary
Example: As the aircraft descended, passengers could see the broad estuary below, its mudflats exposed by the low tide.
Usage notes: Distinguished from a river (flowing freshwater) and a bay (an open coastal indentation). An estuary is specifically the tidal transition zone. In aerial photography contexts, estuaries are often distinctive geographical features that help orient the viewer.
Often confused with: cumulus, aerial, regional
◆ cumulus
A common type of cloud with a flat, horizontal base and a bright, rounded, heaped upper surface, typically seen in fair weather and appearing white and billowing.
Register: technical
Common collocations: cumulus clouds, fair-weather cumulus, towering cumulus, patch of cumulus, cumulus formation
Example: Scattered cumulus clouds cast moving shadows across the airport and the fields beyond the perimeter fence.
Usage notes: The plural form is 'cumuli' (technical/meteorological) or 'cumulus clouds' (general). Cumulus clouds can develop into cumulonimbus (storm clouds) if atmospheric conditions intensify. The word comes from Latin meaning 'heap' or 'pile'.
Often confused with: estuary, aerial, infield
◆ converge
To appear to come together toward a single distant point, as parallel lines such as runway markings or road edges seem to do when viewed in perspective from ground level or from the air.
General meaning: To come together from different directions toward the same point; to gradually become similar or unified.
Register: formal
Common collocations: lines converge, paths converge, converge on a point, appear to converge, converge at the horizon
Example: Looking down the length of the runway from above, the edge lights and centreline markings all seem to converge at a point in the far distance.
Usage notes: Often used in visual and spatial descriptions, as well as in discussions of roads, perspectives, and ideas. The opposite is 'diverge'. In aviation imagery, frequently used to describe the visual effect of long runways or taxiways seen from the air or from one end.
Often confused with: parallel, approach, aerial
◆ taxi
To move an aircraft along the ground under its own engine power at slow speed, typically along a taxiway between the runway and the apron or stand.
Register: technical
Common collocations: taxi to the runway, taxi to the stand, taxi along the taxiway, cleared to taxi, taxi via
Example: After landing, the pilot was instructed to taxi to stand six via taxiway Bravo.
Usage notes: Note the spelling: the -ing form is 'taxiing' (not 'taxying'). In ATC radio communication, aircraft are 'cleared to taxi' — this is formal permission. Not to be confused with 'taxi' (a road vehicle for hire), though the etymological connection is debated.
Often confused with: taxiway, runway, apron
◆ glass-fronted
Describing a building whose front exterior is largely composed of glass panels or windows, creating transparency and allowing natural light inside — a common design feature of modern airport terminals.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: glass-fronted terminal, glass-fronted building, glass-fronted facade, modern glass-fronted structure
Example: The glass-fronted terminal reflected the afternoon sun, making it stand out clearly against the grey apron.
Usage notes: A compound adjective typically written with a hyphen when used before a noun. Commonly used in architectural descriptions to contrast with older brick or concrete buildings. Implies a modern or contemporary design aesthetic.
Often confused with: metal-clad, terminal, hangar
◆ paved
Covered with a firm, smooth surface material such as asphalt or concrete, making the ground suitable and stable for vehicles or aircraft to move on.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: paved runway, paved taxiway, paved apron, paved surface, paved area
Example: The paved area of the airport extended from the runway thresholds to the edge of the apron.
Usage notes: In aviation contexts, 'paved' distinguishes operational surfaces (runways, taxiways, aprons) from grass areas (infield). Also used as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'to pave'. The phrase 'pave the way' is an unrelated idiom meaning to prepare conditions for something.
Often confused with: infield, apron, runway
◆ aerial
Relating to or captured from the air, typically from an aircraft or elevated position; used to describe photographs, views, or perspectives taken from above.
General meaning: Existing in or relating to the air; in everyday use, also a noun referring to a device for receiving radio or TV signals.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: aerial photograph, aerial view, aerial perspective, aerial image, aerial shot
Example: The aerial photograph showed the full layout of the airport, including the runway, taxiways, and terminal building.
Usage notes: As an adjective in this context, 'aerial' always precedes the noun it modifies. Distinguished from 'airborne' (which means currently in the air and in motion) and 'overhead' (which emphasises vertical position directly above). In British English, 'aerial' is also a noun meaning a TV or radio antenna.
Often confused with: airside, approach, regional
◆ regional
Serving or relating to a particular geographical area rather than operating nationally or internationally; used of airports and airlines that handle shorter domestic or cross-border routes.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: regional airport, regional airline, regional route, regional hub, regional carrier
Example: The regional airport handled fewer than half a million passengers a year and served mainly domestic routes.
Usage notes: In aviation, 'regional' contrasts with 'international' (long-haul, global routes) and 'major' (large hub airports). Regional airports often have smaller terminals and limited facilities by comparison. The term also applies to airlines that operate these shorter routes.
Often confused with: aerial, landside, terminal
◆ metal-clad
Covered or faced on the outside with metal sheeting or panels, a construction method commonly seen on industrial airport buildings such as hangars and maintenance facilities.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: metal-clad hangar, metal-clad building, metal-clad structure, metal-clad warehouse
Example: The metal-clad hangars along the far side of the apron reflected the midday sunlight.
Usage notes: A compound adjective written with a hyphen before a noun. Contrasts visually with glass-fronted (modern, transparent) buildings. 'Clad' means covered or dressed in a material — the pattern '[material]-clad' is productive in English (e.g., 'ivy-clad', 'stone-clad').
Often confused with: glass-fronted, hangar, paved
◆ parallel
Running in exactly the same direction and maintaining a constant distance apart, never meeting — used to describe runway markings, taxiways, or lines that run alongside each other.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: parallel runways, parallel lines, parallel taxiways, run parallel to, parallel stripes
Example: The two parallel runways allowed the airport to handle arrivals and departures simultaneously without conflict.
Usage notes: In aviation, 'parallel runways' require the letter suffixes L (left) and R (right) added to their designation numbers to distinguish them. The adjective 'parallel' can also be used figuratively to describe situations or processes that occur simultaneously without interacting.
Often confused with: converge, centreline, runway designation
◆ approach
The phase of flight in which an aircraft descends and progressively aligns itself with the runway, transitioning from the cruise phase toward the landing.
General meaning: The act of coming nearer to something; a method or strategy for dealing with a situation.
Register: technical
Common collocations: on approach, instrument approach, visual approach, stabilised approach, approach path, approach lighting
Example: Air traffic control gave the aircraft a heading change during the approach to position it correctly for the runway.
Usage notes: In aviation, 'approach' typically refers to the whole descent sequence from initial contact with approach control to touchdown. 'Final approach' is the last, straight-in segment. 'Approach' can also be used as a verb (the aircraft approached the runway) or in general English as a synonym for method or strategy.
Often confused with: final approach, threshold, landing
Now it's your turn
Task 1 · Colours, Materials, and Precise DescriptionVocabulary
Write a short paragraph of 80–100 words describing the physical appearance of FOUR of the following elements: the runway surface, the apron, the terminal building, the control tower, the aircraft hangar, and the runway markings. For each element, use a precise adjective-noun collocation and include both colour and material where you can identify them. Do not list — write in connected prose using natural linking language.
Language focus: adjective-noun collocations, colour and material description
0 words / ~90 target
1Saying Where Things Are→ Task 2
Step 1 · Saying Where Things Are
🔧 Grammar — prepositions of place
To describe a layout, you need prepositions of place that show relationships between features — not just ‘next to’ or ‘near’, but more precise phrases. The fuel gives you several: ‘parallel to’, ‘beyond’, ‘adjacent to’, ‘along’, and ‘behind’. These tell the reader exactly how one feature sits in relation to another. Use them to build a chain: start with one feature, then move outward step by step. For example, begin with the runway, move to the taxiway beside it, then to the apron beyond that. This gives your paragraph a clear direction and avoids jumping around the image. Remember that ‘beyond’ means further away from the viewer, while ‘adjacent to’ means directly beside something at roughly the same distance.
feature + preposition phrase + second feature — e.g. 'The taxiway runs parallel to the runway on its right side.'
- The taxiway runs parallel to and to the right of the runway along its full visible length.
- The apron lies beyond the taxiway, where three small regional aircraft are parked at stands.
- The terminal building sits adjacent to and slightly to the right of the control tower.
⚠️ Watch out: The control tower is beyond the terminal. → The control tower stands behind the apron, rising above the surrounding buildings. — 'beyond' suggests greater distance from the viewer; 'behind' shows it is further back than a nearer feature
🧰 Open the 'Where things are' and 'Objects' toggles for a full set of place phrases and feature names from this image.
→ Now write your paragraph naming at least six features and placing each one clearly in relation to the others.
📍 Where things are
- The runway lies in the left-centre of the frame, stretching from the foreground toward the upper middle distance.
- The threshold markings are painted at the near end of the runway, closest to the viewer.
- The runway designation number '27' is painted just above the threshold markings on the runway surface.
- The taxiway runs parallel to and to the right of the runway along its full visible length.
- The apron lies beyond and to the right of the taxiway, where aircraft are parked.
- Three parked aircraft sit on the apron, facing roughly toward the terminal.
- The control tower stands behind the apron, rising above the surrounding buildings.
- The terminal building sits adjacent to and slightly to the right of the control tower.
- The Highland Air hangar is positioned at the far right of the frame, beyond the terminal.
- The car park sits between the hangar and the terminal building, separated from the airside by a fence.
- A strip of grass infield lies between the runway and the taxiway.
- Runway edge lights are spaced evenly along both sides of the runway.
- A red-and-yellow taxiway sign stands beside the taxiway close to the runway threshold.
- The estuary or firth is visible in the upper-left background, well beyond the airport boundary.
- Low hills and mountains run along the horizon behind the estuary.
- The dark edge of an aircraft window frame is visible in the lower-left corner, indicating the viewpoint is from inside an approaching aircraft.
- White cumulus clouds are scattered across the upper third of the frame against a blue sky.
- A band of dense woodland extends beyond the airport boundary on the right side of the image.
🔎 What you can see
| Object | Where | Describing words |
|---|---|---|
| runway | left-centre of frame, extending from foreground to upper-centre | black, asphalt-surfaced, wide |
| threshold markings | lower-centre of runway, near the bottom of the frame | white, broad, parallel-stripe pattern |
| runway designation number | on the runway surface just above the threshold markings | white, large, painted |
| centreline markings | along the longitudinal centre of the runway, extending into the distance | white, dashed, evenly spaced |
| touchdown zone markings | on the runway surface between the threshold and mid-runway | white, rectangular bar pairs |
| runway edge lights | along both sides of the runway, visible from foreground to mid-distance | amber-yellow, small, evenly spaced |
| threshold lights | in a bar across the runway threshold at the bottom of the frame | amber, small, bar-arranged |
| taxiway | running parallel to the runway on its right side | dark asphalt, narrower than the runway, marked with yellow centreline |
| taxiway sign | beside the taxiway, centre-right of frame near the runway threshold | red and yellow, small, mounted low |
| apron | right of centre, behind the taxiway | light grey concrete, large, flat |
| parked aircraft ×3 | on the apron, right of centre | white, turboprop or regional jet, medium-small |
| ground support vehicles | on and around the apron, near the parked aircraft | various colours, small relative to aircraft, multiple types |
| control tower | right of centre, behind the apron | grey-white, tall, slender |
| terminal building | right of centre, adjacent to and slightly right of the control tower | glass-fronted, low-rise, modern |
| aircraft hangar | far right of frame | white, large, rectangular |
| car park | right side of frame, between the hangar and terminal | surfaced, partially filled with cars |
| airport boundary fence | right side of frame, separating apron and car park from hangar area | green mesh, security fencing |
| grass infield | between the runway and taxiway, and to the left of the runway | green, mown, flat |
| estuary or firth | upper-left background | blue-grey, wide, calm-surfaced |
| hills and mountains | along the horizon, upper portion of frame | purple-grey, low-profile, distant |
| sky | upper third of frame | blue, partly cloudy, bright |
| clouds | scattered across the upper third of the frame | white, cumulus, scattered |
| aircraft window frame | lower-left corner of the frame | dark, partial, curved |
| residential buildings | beyond the airport boundary, upper-right and upper-left areas | small, scattered, mixed colours |
| trees and woodland | upper-right background, beyond the airport boundary | green, dense, deciduous |
Task 2 · Airport Layout: Naming and Placing Key FeaturesVocabulary
Write a paragraph of 100–120 words describing the layout of the airport as it appears in the image. Name at least six distinct airport features and explain where each one is positioned in relation to the others. Use a variety of prepositions of place and avoid repeating the same preposition more than twice. Write in connected prose — do not produce a list.
Language focus: prepositions of place, airport layout vocabulary
0 words / ~110 target
2Using the Passive Voice to Describe Markings→ Task 3
Step 2 · Using the Passive Voice to Describe Markings
🔧 Grammar — present simple passive
The passive voice is the natural choice when you want to describe what exists or what has been done to a surface — especially when the person who did it is not important. For runway markings, we do not say who painted them; we focus on the result. The present simple passive is formed with ‘is’ or ‘are’ plus a past participle: ‘is painted’, ‘is marked’, ‘are spaced’. Use this structure when describing things that are fixed features of the image. The fuel gives you several past participles that work well here: painted, marked, spaced, bordered, arranged. Try to vary the subjects — move from the runway surface itself to the markings on it, then to the lights along its edges. This keeps your paragraph moving without repeating the same structure.
subject + is/are + past participle (+ by / along / across + place phrase)
- The runway surface is marked with broad white threshold stripes painted across its near end.
- Amber runway edge lights are spaced evenly along both sides of the dark asphalt surface.
- The designation number '27' is painted on the runway surface just above the threshold markings.
⚠️ Watch out: The centreline markings are painting along the runway. → The centreline markings are painted along the runway. — the passive uses the past participle, not the present participle
🧰 Open the 'Materials' and 'Objects' toggles for the full list of runway features and their colours and textures.
→ Now write your paragraph using the passive voice in at least five sentences or clauses to describe what can be seen on and along the runway.
🧱 Colours and materials
Ready-made phrases
dark asphalt runway surfacewhite painted runway markingsyellow taxiway centreline markinglight grey concrete apronmown green grass infieldslender grey-white control towerglass-fronted modern terminal buildinglarge white metal-clad hangarwhite regional aircraft with blue liveryamber runway edge lightsbright mid-blue skywhite cumulus clouds with grey undersidescalm blue-grey estuary waterpurple-grey distant hillsgreen metal mesh security fence
| Object | Colour | Material | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| runway surface | dark grey to black | asphalt | smooth with worn patches |
| runway markings | white | paint | flat |
| taxiway centreline | yellow | paint | flat |
| apron | light grey | concrete | flat, slightly worn |
| grass infield | mid-green | — | mown, smooth |
| control tower | grey-white | concrete or rendered masonry, glazed cab | smooth |
| terminal building | white and grey with large glass panels | glass and steel or concrete | smooth, reflective glass |
| aircraft hangar | white | metal cladding | smooth, flat-panelled |
| parked aircraft | white with blue livery detail | — | — |
| runway edge lights | amber-yellow | — | — |
| sky | mid-blue | — | — |
| clouds | white with light grey undersides | — | soft, cumulus |
| estuary water | blue-grey | — | flat, calm |
| distant hills | purple-grey | — | smooth at distance |
| airport boundary fence | green | metal mesh | open mesh |
🔎 What you can see
| Object | Where | Describing words |
|---|---|---|
| runway | left-centre of frame, extending from foreground to upper-centre | black, asphalt-surfaced, wide |
| threshold markings | lower-centre of runway, near the bottom of the frame | white, broad, parallel-stripe pattern |
| runway designation number | on the runway surface just above the threshold markings | white, large, painted |
| centreline markings | along the longitudinal centre of the runway, extending into the distance | white, dashed, evenly spaced |
| touchdown zone markings | on the runway surface between the threshold and mid-runway | white, rectangular bar pairs |
| runway edge lights | along both sides of the runway, visible from foreground to mid-distance | amber-yellow, small, evenly spaced |
| threshold lights | in a bar across the runway threshold at the bottom of the frame | amber, small, bar-arranged |
| taxiway | running parallel to the runway on its right side | dark asphalt, narrower than the runway, marked with yellow centreline |
| taxiway sign | beside the taxiway, centre-right of frame near the runway threshold | red and yellow, small, mounted low |
| apron | right of centre, behind the taxiway | light grey concrete, large, flat |
| parked aircraft ×3 | on the apron, right of centre | white, turboprop or regional jet, medium-small |
| ground support vehicles | on and around the apron, near the parked aircraft | various colours, small relative to aircraft, multiple types |
| control tower | right of centre, behind the apron | grey-white, tall, slender |
| terminal building | right of centre, adjacent to and slightly right of the control tower | glass-fronted, low-rise, modern |
| aircraft hangar | far right of frame | white, large, rectangular |
| car park | right side of frame, between the hangar and terminal | surfaced, partially filled with cars |
| airport boundary fence | right side of frame, separating apron and car park from hangar area | green mesh, security fencing |
| grass infield | between the runway and taxiway, and to the left of the runway | green, mown, flat |
| estuary or firth | upper-left background | blue-grey, wide, calm-surfaced |
| hills and mountains | along the horizon, upper portion of frame | purple-grey, low-profile, distant |
| sky | upper third of frame | blue, partly cloudy, bright |
| clouds | scattered across the upper third of the frame | white, cumulus, scattered |
| aircraft window frame | lower-left corner of the frame | dark, partial, curved |
| residential buildings | beyond the airport boundary, upper-right and upper-left areas | small, scattered, mixed colours |
| trees and woodland | upper-right background, beyond the airport boundary | green, dense, deciduous |
Task 3 · How the Runway Is Marked: Using the Passive VoiceGrammar
Write a paragraph of 100–130 words describing the runway and its markings as they appear in the image. Focus on what can be seen on the runway surface and along its edges. Use the present simple passive voice throughout — for example, structures such as 'is painted', 'is marked', 'is spaced', 'is bordered'. Aim to use the passive in at least five separate sentences or clauses.
Language focus: present simple passive voice
0 words / ~115 target
3Speculating About What Happened Before→ Task 4
Step 3 · Speculating About What Happened Before
🔧 Grammar — past modals of deduction: must have, might have, may have, can't have
Past modal forms let you express how certain you are about something in the past. Use ‘must have’ when the evidence strongly points to one conclusion. Use ‘might have’ or ‘may have’ when something is possible but not certain. Use ‘can’t have’ when something is clearly impossible given what you can see. The image was taken on final approach — the aircraft is seconds from the runway. Think about what this tells you: the pilots must have received clearance from the control tower; the ground support vehicles on the apron might have been positioned there in preparation. Look at the light, the parked aircraft, and the ground crew activity to find clues. Avoid using ‘must have been’ when you mean ‘must have done’ — they have different meanings.
subject + must have / might have / may have / can't have + past participle
- The air traffic controller in the glazed cab must have cleared the aircraft to land on Runway 27.
- The ground support vehicles on the apron may have been positioned there before the aircraft arrived.
- The aircraft can't have been on its first flight of the day — the apron shows clear signs of activity.
⚠️ Watch out: The pilots must have been received landing clearance. → The pilots must have received landing clearance. — 'must have' is followed directly by the past participle, not by 'been' plus a past participle
🧰 Open the 'Look closer' toggle for details about the light, the viewpoint, and the activity visible on the apron and around the terminal.
→ Now write your paragraph speculating about what must have, might have, may have, and can't have happened in the minutes before this photograph was taken.
👁️ Look closer: how the picture is built
Where to look
- Start here: the runway threshold and designation number '27', sitting in the lower-centre of the frame
- The camera is: from above, slightly forward-looking — the camera is inside an aircraft on approach, angled downward and ahead
- In front: runway threshold with markings, threshold lights, and grass strips immediately below the aircraft
- In the middle: full runway length, parallel taxiway, apron with parked aircraft, control tower and terminal building
- At the back: residential landscape, estuary or firth, distant hills and mountains, sky with clouds
- Lines and shapes: strong converging perspective lines formed by the runway edges, drawing the eye toward the vanishing point in the upper-centre; parallel lines of the taxiway reinforce the convergence; horizontal band of the estuary and hills divides the upper third; vertical of the control tower provides a counterpoint to the dominant horizontals and diagonals
- Framing: the dark aircraft window edge in the lower-left corner frames the scene and anchors the aerial viewpoint; the wide landscape fills the frame edge to edge
- Balance: asymmetrical — the runway occupies the left-centre while the terminal, hangar, and apron cluster on the right
Light and colour
Light: natural · From: from above and slightly to the left, consistent with midday or early-afternoon sun · Quality: soft to diffuse — overcast-moderated daylight with some direct sun · Contrast: medium · Warm/cool: cool to neutral — the greens, blues, and grey-purples dominate
mid-green (grass)dark grey/black (runway asphalt)light grey (concrete apron)white (markings, buildings, aircraft)mid-blue (sky)blue-grey (water)purple-grey (hills)amber (runway lights)yellow (taxiway markings)
Notice: amber runway edge lights glow against the dark asphalt; glass terminal facade reflects ambient light; haze softens the distant hills and water
Task 4 · What Must Have Happened Before This Moment?Grammar
The image was taken from inside an aircraft seconds before landing. Think about what must have happened, might have happened, or could not have happened in the period leading up to this moment — both on board the aircraft and on the ground at the airport. Write 120–150 words using past modal forms to express deduction and speculation. Use 'must have', 'might have', 'may have', and 'can't have' at least once each.
Language focus: past modal forms for deduction and speculation
0 words / ~135 target
💬 Discussion
• Have you ever arrived at or departed from a small regional airport — and how did the experience compare with a large international terminal?
• Looking at the apron and the ground support vehicles, what do you think happens in the final minutes before passengers board a regional aircraft?
• The airport sits beside a tidal estuary and distant hills — do you think the surrounding landscape affects how pilots approach and land at airports like this one?
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Explore Membership Benefits📐 Where things are — positional language for images
📝 Key Vocabulary Recap25 terms from this lesson
◆ the top
The highest part of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the top, the top of the image, the top of the frame, along the top
Example: There are clouds at the top of the painting.
Usage notes: Always used with 'at' or 'along' when describing position: 'at the top of the picture.' Not used with 'in' in this context.
Often confused with: the upper half, the top left corner, the top right corner, the foreground
◆ the bottom
The lowest part of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the bottom, the bottom of the image, the bottom of the frame, along the bottom
Example: You can see a river at the bottom of the photograph.
Usage notes: Always used with 'at' or 'along' when describing position: 'at the bottom of the picture.' Similar to 'the lower half' but refers to the edge area, not fifty percent of the image.
Often confused with: the lower half, the bottom left corner, the bottom right corner, the foreground
◆ the left
The left side of an image, as the viewer sees it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the left, to the left, on the left side, on the left of the image
Example: There is a tree on the left of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'to' for position: 'on the left', 'to the left of the subject.' The viewer's left, not the subject's left — important when describing portraits.
Often confused with: the left half, the top left corner, the bottom left corner, the right
◆ the right
The right side of an image, as the viewer sees it.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the right, to the right, on the right side, on the right of the image
Example: A woman is standing on the right of the photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'to' for position: 'on the right', 'to the right of the subject.' Always the viewer's right, not the subject's.
Often confused with: the right half, the top right corner, the bottom right corner, the left
◆ the centre
The middle area of an image, with equal space around it on all sides.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the centre, at the centre, in the centre of the image, dead centre, off-centre
Example: The main subject is placed in the centre of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the centre of the picture.' British spelling is 'centre'; American spelling is 'center.' Related terms 'dead centre' (exactly in the middle) and 'off-centre' (not quite in the middle) are built from this word.
Often confused with: dead centre, off-centre, the middle ground, the frame
◆ the top left corner
The corner of an image where the top edge and the left edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the top left corner, at the top left corner, in the top left corner of the image
Example: There is a small bird in the top left corner of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the top left corner.' One of four corners of an image; the others are top right, bottom left, bottom right.
Often confused with: the top right corner, the bottom left corner, the top, the left
◆ the top right corner
The corner of an image where the top edge and the right edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the top right corner, at the top right corner, in the top right corner of the image
Example: The sun appears in the top right corner of the landscape.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the top right corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the top left corner, the bottom right corner, the top, the right
◆ the bottom left corner
The corner of an image where the bottom edge and the left edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the bottom left corner, at the bottom left corner, in the bottom left corner of the image
Example: The artist signed the painting in the bottom left corner.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the bottom left corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the bottom right corner, the top left corner, the bottom, the left
◆ the bottom right corner
The corner of an image where the bottom edge and the right edge meet.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the bottom right corner, at the bottom right corner, in the bottom right corner of the image
Example: A small boat is visible in the bottom right corner of the photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'in' for position: 'in the bottom right corner.' One of four corners of an image.
Often confused with: the bottom left corner, the top right corner, the bottom, the right
◆ the edge of the frame
The very outer limit of a picture — the line where the image ends.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: at the edge of the frame, near the edge of the frame, cut off at the edge of the frame
Example: Part of the building is cut off at the edge of the frame.
Usage notes: Used with 'at' or 'near': 'at the edge of the frame.' Often used when an object is only partly visible because it reaches the boundary of the image. Similar to 'the frame' but more specific — it refers to the line itself, not the whole border area.
Often confused with: the frame, cropped, the foreground, the background
◆ the foreground
The part of an image that looks closest to you, at the front.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the foreground, in the immediate foreground, in the far foreground
Example: There are some large rocks in the foreground of the landscape photo.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the foreground.' Objects here appear large and clear. The opposite is 'the background.' Between these two is 'the middle ground.'
Often confused with: the background, the middle ground, the distance, the bottom
◆ the middle ground
The area between the front and back of an image — the middle layer of depth.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the middle ground, in the midground
Example: A group of people can be seen in the middle ground of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the middle ground.' This is one of three depth layers in an image: foreground (front), middle ground (middle), background (back). Less commonly used than the other two, but important for describing paintings and landscapes.
Often confused with: the foreground, the background, the centre, the distance
◆ the background
The part of an image that looks furthest away, at the back.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the background, in the far background, fade into the background, blurred background
Example: There are mountains in the background of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the background.' Objects here appear small and less clear. The opposite is 'the foreground.' Do not confuse with 'the distance' — the background is the rear area of the whole image; the distance refers specifically to the area that looks very far away.
Often confused with: the foreground, the middle ground, the distance, the horizon
◆ the distance
The area in an image that looks very far away from the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the distance, far in the distance, visible in the distance
Example: You can see a small village in the distance in the painting.
Usage notes: Always used with 'in': 'in the distance.' Similar to 'the background' but focuses on how far away something looks, not just where it sits in the image. Often used with the verb 'see' or 'make out': 'you can see X in the distance.'
Often confused with: the background, the horizon, the middle ground, the foreground
◆ the horizon
The line in an image where the land or sea appears to meet the sky.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: on the horizon, at the horizon, the horizon line, just above the horizon, below the horizon
Example: A ship is visible on the horizon in this seascape painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'at': 'on the horizon.' Most common in outdoor scenes — landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes. Closely related to 'the skyline', but they are different: the horizon is always a flat line between sky and earth or water; a skyline includes the shapes of buildings or hills seen against the sky.
Often confused with: the skyline, the background, the distance, the vanishing point
◆ the upper half
The top fifty percent of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the upper half, the upper half of the image, fills the upper half, dominates the upper half
Example: The sky fills the upper half of the landscape painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the upper half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the middle upwards. Similar to 'the top', but 'the top' refers to the area near the top edge, while this phrase refers to the entire upper section.
Often confused with: the top, the lower half, the background, the foreground
◆ the lower half
The bottom fifty percent of an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the lower half, the lower half of the image, fills the lower half, dominates the lower half
Example: The water covers the lower half of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the lower half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the middle downwards. Similar to 'the bottom', but 'the bottom' refers to the area near the bottom edge, while this phrase refers to the entire lower section.
Often confused with: the bottom, the upper half, the foreground, the background
◆ the left half
The left fifty percent of an image, as seen by the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the left half, the left half of the image, fills the left half, dominates the left half
Example: The main figure takes up the left half of the portrait.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the left half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the centre to the left edge. More precise than 'the left', which refers to the general left area rather than exactly half.
Often confused with: the left, the right half, the top left corner, the bottom left corner
◆ the right half
The right fifty percent of an image, as seen by the viewer.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: in the right half, the right half of the image, fills the right half, dominates the right half
Example: The open doorway is in the right half of the painting.
Usage notes: Used with 'in': 'in the right half of the image.' Describes exactly fifty percent of the picture from the centre to the right edge. More precise than 'the right', which refers to the general right area rather than exactly half.
Often confused with: the right, the left half, the top right corner, the bottom right corner
◆ off-centre
Not in the middle of an image — placed to one side.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: slightly off-centre, positioned off-centre, placed off-centre
Example: The subject is slightly off-centre, which makes the photo more interesting.
Usage notes: Used as an adjective after a verb: 'the subject is off-centre.' The opposite is 'dead centre.' A small but important difference: 'off-centre' means not quite in the middle; 'dead centre' means exactly in the middle.
Often confused with: dead centre, the centre, the left, the right
◆ dead centre
Positioned exactly in the middle of an image, with equal space on all sides.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: placed dead centre, positioned dead centre, sits dead centre
Example: The tower is placed dead centre in this photograph.
Usage notes: The word 'dead' here means 'exactly' or 'perfectly' — it makes the meaning stronger. Used as an adverb-adjective pair after a verb. The opposite is 'off-centre'. Do not confuse with 'the centre', which is a noun naming the middle area; this phrase describes being perfectly positioned there.
Often confused with: off-centre, the centre, the middle ground, the frame
◆ cropped
Describes an image that has had its edges cut to show only part of the original.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: tightly cropped, heavily cropped, closely cropped, cropped image, cropped photo
Example: The figure on the right is cropped — you can only see half of her body.
Usage notes: Used as an adjective: 'the image is cropped', or 'a cropped photo.' It can also be used as a verb: 'the photographer cropped the image.' Often used when part of a subject is cut off at the edge of the frame.
Often confused with: the edge of the frame, the frame, off-centre, the foreground
◆ the vanishing point
The point in an image where lines that are parallel appear to meet, making the scene look deep and far away.
Register: technical
Common collocations: at the vanishing point, the vanishing point is on the horizon, converge at the vanishing point, single vanishing point
Example: The road in the painting leads the eye to the vanishing point in the distance.
Usage notes: Used with 'at': 'at the vanishing point.' Common in art and photography discussions. Often found on or near the horizon line in outdoor scenes. A technical term from art and perspective drawing, but useful for describing paintings and photographs.
Often confused with: the horizon, the distance, the background, the centre
◆ the skyline
The shape made by buildings, hills, or trees seen against the sky in an image.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: the city skyline, a dramatic skyline, on the skyline, silhouetted against the skyline, the skyline of
Example: The city skyline is visible in the background of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'on' or 'against': 'on the skyline', 'against the skyline.' Similar to 'the horizon' but different in an important way — the horizon is a flat line between sky and earth or water; a skyline has a jagged or uneven outline created by buildings, trees, or hills. A skyline can only exist where there are objects rising above the ground level.
Often confused with: the horizon, the background, the distance, the upper half
◆ the frame
The total area of an image — everything that is visible in the picture.
Register: neutral
Common collocations: within the frame, fill the frame, inside the frame, outside the frame, enter the frame, leave the frame
Example: The tree fills almost the entire frame of the photograph.
Usage notes: Used with 'within', 'inside', or 'fill': 'within the frame', 'fill the frame.' Similar to 'the edge of the frame' but different — 'the frame' refers to the whole visible area of the image, while 'the edge of the frame' refers specifically to the outer boundary line where the image ends.
Often confused with: the edge of the frame, cropped, the foreground, the centre