a parking spot / parking lot

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #249 [color=blue]“Pronoun Practice (5)”, question 3

Do you think Mary will be able to find a parking spot? I hope … can. The parking lot looks packed.

(a) she
(b) it
(c) they
(d) her

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #249 [color=blue]“Pronoun Practice (5)”, answer 3

Do you think Mary will be able to find a parking spot? I hope she can. The parking lot looks packed.

Correct answer: (a) she
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

is there any difference beteen : a parking spot and a parking lot?
thank you very much…

2

‘a parking spot’ = somewhere to park. It does not have to be a lined off area.
‘parking lot’ = lined off area specifically designed to fit a car.

3

Also, in American English, a parking lot is a large vacant area designated for parking vehicles, so that in AmE a parking lot is filled with many parking spots. I think the question was written from the AmE viewpoint.

4

Oops. I confused ‘parking lot’ and ‘parking stall’ (terms which I don’t use, as in the UK the equivalent is ‘car park’ and ‘parking bay’) I should have read the test question, then I’d have realised that ‘parking lot’ referred to the larger area!

Thanks, MM.