Monday 10th June

Housing and Renting Apartments

Vocabulary Exercise:

Housing Crisis in the UK

There is currently a housing crisis in the UK, where there aren't enough homes for people to live in and the homes that are being built are getting smaller and smaller. People have to become 'creative' with their space in order to have enough room for their family and belongings.

Useful Vocab:

housing crisis

shortage of houses / high prices of houses available to buy

to get a foot on the property ladder

to buy your first house

on the market

available to buy

room to swing a cat

lots of space

to squeeze

here: to push into a small space

minimalist

having no more than what is necessary

to de-clutter

getting rid of things you don't need

Exercise - Now watch the news article on BBC and answer the following questions 

1. What is Gary Chang's job?
2. Who does Gary live with?
3. How big is his apartment?
4. How does Gary make his apartment multi-functional?
5. Where is the kitchen?
6. Why has he designed his apartment like this?
7. What does Maple Ma use to cook? What does this appliance allow her to do?
8. What does Mr Chang believe?

Writing Task:

Write an advertisement for an estate agent advertising a tiny apartment in London. It is a studio apartment with one single bed and one bathroom, with a small kitchenette. Make sure you include lots of detail but use positive vocabulary to try and sell the apartment. 

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Listening Exercise:

1. What is the main topic of the conversation?
A. problems with living in an apartment
B. a search for a new apartment
C. the cost of rent near universities

2. Why doesn't Ann like her current apartment?
A. It's too expensive.
B. The neighborhood is noisy.
C. It's located some distance from school.

3. How much money does Ann want to pay for rent?
A. no more than $200
B. around $200
C. a little more than $200

4. What kind of place is she looking for?
A. somewhere that is within a short driving distance of campus
B. an apartment with furniture already in it
C. a place where she can live alone

5. How is Roger going to help her?
A. He is planning on calling a friend who owns an apartment building.
B. He will check the newspapers to see if he can find an apartment for rent.
C. He is going to visit an apartment building near his place.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Could you please let me know if people move out and there are ________________? I'd really to rent a place here if that happens.
   1.   utilities
   2.   vacancies
   3.   furnishings
2. I was told that the rent for this apartment includes all ________________ including gas, electricity, and water.
   1.   furniture
   2.   tenants
   3.   utilities
3. Renting ______________ apartment with a sofa, bed, and table would make life easier.
   1.   an empty
   2.   a vacant
   3.   a furnished
4. It takes me about 30 minutes to _______________ to work by train everyday.
   1.   fly
   2.   go
   3.   commute
5. It's not the best apartment for me, but I think things will _____________ out in the long run.
   1.   work
   2.   go
   3.   live

Discussion Topic - What are the most important factors when finding somewhere to live?

Talk about the type of apartment Ann is trying to find. 

• Discuss the ideal living situation for students going to a college or university in your country and abroad. 
• Compare living in an apartment, house, and dormitory. 
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of each in terms of privacy, price, space, and location? 

Click this link to listen to the recordings