Final answer:
An apartment located below ground level is termed a 'basement apartment,' which is different from a 'penthouse apartment' on the top floor. Basement apartments can have issues like poor light and are typically less expensive than upper-level apartments.
Step-by-step explanation:
An apartment that is below ground level is known as a basement apartment. This term contrasts with a penthouse apartment, which is situated at the top of a building and typically offers expansive views and additional luxuries. A basement apartment is located beneath the main levels of a building, often partially or entirely below ground, and may sometimes suffer from issues like poor lighting and flooding. In contrast, penthouse apartments are associated with luxury, commanding higher rents attributed to their desirable features and views.
Historical housing configurations varied, with certain populations or classes living in different levels of a building according to their social status or economic means. For example, in some places, the poorest individuals might live in attic rooms or in dark basement apartments, while the wealthier occupied more favorable living spaces on higher floors, where the rent would also be higher.