The Keans

Tim and Katy Keane and their children, Bethany (8), Charles (9) and Joe (16), couldn’t believe their luck when they arrived at Washington Drive, Greenville. ”The houses were all enormous,” said Tom. “I expected to see film stars coming out of them!”

The Millers’ house has five bedrooms, а study, two bathrooms and an extra downstairs toilet. “Our bedroom was huge, and it was lovely having an en-suite,” said Katy. “It was like staying in а hotel!” “Children were always in the computer room, in the basement or outdoors,” says Tim. “ The Millers had sports equipment and а barbecue in their yard,” said Joe. “And their neighbours had а swimming pool, which we often used. It was great!” ”The children really enjoyed the yard,” said Katy, “but I found it а bit dull. I like nice English gardens with lots of flowers. All the Millers had were а few trees.” And Katy didn’t like the décor of the house. “It was all very smart and clean,” she said, “but it wasn’t very colorful. It’s obvious that Americans spend more time outdoors than the British! And we had а lot of problems to operate the Millers’ complicated security system and alarms.

4. Match the people with their opinions of the house they stayed in.

1. George Miller 2. Sandy Miller 3. Helen Miller 4. Daniel Miller 5. Tim Keane 6. Katy Keane 7. Bethany Keane

а) “It was strange not having separate rooms for using the computer and playing games.” b) “I loved playing and eating outdoors!” c) “The house was so big it looked like it belonged to а famous person!” d) “I was really impressed by the garden.” e) “Two of the bedrooms were too small.” f) ”The house was warm and colourful.” g) “I didn’t like the garden or the décor much.”

5. Look at the tables of scores for the two houses. Which house scored the most in each category?

The Millers’ scores for the Keanes’ house		Your scores
Space:	4/10
Comfort:	6/10
Decoration:	8/10
Garden:	10/10
Total	28/40

The Keanes’ scores for the Millers’ house		Your scores
Space:	8/10
Comfort:	7/10
Decoration:	6/10
Garden:	15/10
Total	26/40

6. Complete ‘Your scores’ column. Discuss the results with your partner.

7. Which house sounds nicer to you – the English house or the American one?

8. Would you like to try living in another family’s house for two weeks?

9. How do the Millers’ and the Keanes’ houses differ from homes in your country?

VOCABULARY

Air-conditioner Armchair Basement be located Block of flats Carpet Ceiling Central heating Сooker Cozy Detached house Dishwasher Double Downstairs Extra Floor Fridge Front door Gate Ground floor (BrE) Huge Impractical Inhabitant to lead Light switch Neighbour Path Picturesque Plant Power point Remote Security system Sink Speakers Staircase to store Study Stylish Suburbs Swimming pool Terraced house Upstairs Wall Washbasin Yard

кондиционер кресло подвал находиться, располагаться многоквартирный дом ковер потолок центральное отопление плита уютный индивидуальный отдельно стоящий дом посудомоечная машина двойной внизу, на нижнем этаже дополнительный этаж, пол холодильник входная дверь, парадный вход ворота, калитка первый этаж огромный непрактичный житель вести выключатель сосед тропинка, дорожка живописный растение штепсельная розетка отдаленный система безопасности кухонная раковина колонки, акустическая система лестница хранить кабинет стильный пригород бассейн один из множества домов, стоящих в ряд наверху, на верхнем этаже стена раковина в ванной комнате двор

1. Match the words with their definitions:

bungalow flat detached house terraced house cottage

а) You live in а _______________ if it stands in its own grounds.

b) You live in а ________________ if your house is а terrace of houses.

c) А ________________ can be in а block of flats or part of an older house.

d) А _________________ is usually а small house in the country.

e) А _________________ is а house with only one floor.

2. Which floor? Match the expressions to the numbers in the pictures:

T he ground floor

The first floor

The top floor

The basement

3. Match the words with the numbers in the picture:

Ceiling

Power point

L ight switch

Radiator

Wall

Floor

4. Where people live. Match the sentences:

1. I live in the country.

2. I live in the city centre.

3. I live in the suburbs.

4. I live in a village.

5. I live in a small town.

6. I live on the second floor.

a) It has 20,000 inhabitants.

b) It’s very small, with only 800 inhabitants.

c) It’s right in the middle of the city.

d) It’s the area outside the central part of town.

e) There are two floors below me.

f) There are fields and trees all around me.

5. Paying a compliment. Match the comments and follow-up questions:

1. I like your speakers.

2. What a fantastic view!

3. What an interesting photo!

4. You’ve got a lot of books.

5. I love your clock.

6. What a lovely carpet!

7. Your plants are wonderful

8. I’ve never seen such a lovely house.

a) Can you see the sea?

b) Is it Turkish or Persian?

c) Have you read them all?

d) Did you hire a professional designer?

e) Who is it?

f) What’s this one called?

g) Does it work?

h) What do they sound like?

Now add the responses:

i. Oh, yes, it just needs winding up.

j. No, all the décor ideas are mine.

k. They’re great – really great sound.

l. My great-great-grandfather, actually.

m. It’s a kind of palm tree.

n. On a clear day, yes.

o. It’s Chinese, actually.

p. Yes, every one. I love reading.

6. Complete the description with words from the box:

sink centre walls gate garage washbasin armchairs village path bathroom dishwasher shower garden coffee table bedrooms

This is а traditional cottage, with thick stone 1) _____________ located in а quiet 2) ______________ although it is only 40 km from the city 3)______________ . It has а large 4) ________________ all around the house. From the garden 5) _______________ , а wide 6) ______________

leads up to the front door. It doesn't have а 7) _______________ but there is usually no problem with parking. The living room is small but comfortable. It is furnished with а sofa, two 8) ______________ and а 9)_______________ in the centre of the room. There are large glass doors that lead into the back garden. The kitchen is modern, with а new cooker, fridge, and 10) ______________ . It has а double 11) _______________ and lots of space for storing dishes, food, etc. There is also а small 12)_______________ on the ground floor, with а toilet, 13)_______________ , and 14) ________________ . The main bathroom, however, is on the first floor, as well as three 15) ________________, one double, and two singles.

7. Complete the sentences:

1) I live in а small t__________ of 100,000 inhabitants.

2) John lives on the fourth f___________ and there's no lift.

3) Be careful of the st___________s when you go out of the front door. You might fall.

4) We much prefer living in the c___________ to living in the city.

5) We used to live in а t___________ house and we could hear every word the neighbours said. That's why we later bought а d___________ house!

6) А lot of people live in the s____________ and get а bus or train into the city centre every day.

LISTENING

1. Listen to four people describing their “dream house”. Match the speakers 1-4 and the pictures.

А	B
C	D

2. Listen again and match the people with what they say.

Which speaker …?

• would like to live in a traditional house but with modern kitchen

• would like to live in a flat

• would like to have a garden

• would like to live far from neighbours

DISCUSSING

1. What do you like and what don’t you like about the place where you live?

2. What things would you like to have done to improve your room, flat or house?

3. Think for а few minutes about what your dream house would be like and make notes.

• Where would it be?

• What kind of house or flat would it be?

• What special features would it have?

4. Think about the cover of Ideal Home magazine. Which room would you choose for this cover? Find а picture and describe it. Compare your picture with the class. Which room do you like best?

READING and WRITING

1. Read the two adverts from а home swap website. Use your dictionary if it is necessary. Which one would you prefer to live for а two-week holidays? Why?

LONDON

Our Home

We have a comfortable, modern, newly built home in Putney close to the Wimbledon tennis stadiums. The house has a delightful garden, and an open plan living area. There are two bedrooms, each of which have an en-suite bathroom with a bath/shower in each. There is also a sofa bed in the living room should you need an additional bed. The house is very warm and there are two floors. The kitchen has everything you'd expect including a dishwasher, a washing and drying machine, and a microwave.

There is a downstairs cloakroom as well. We offer a 42 inch plasma flat screen TV for your entertainment (as well as a respectable collection of DVDs) with cable TV. WiFi internet connection available for your laptop! My music collection is predominantly 70s Rock!

The house is on two floors and is part of a gated condominium enclosure with 3 other houses, so we are very secure.

The centre of town (Big Ben etc) is easily accessible by public transport. We are close to Putney bridge. You can easily enjoy all that London has to offer from here.

Car optional.

Our Neighbourhood

Wimbledon is regarded as a good neighbourhood in London. The transport options are very good. Wimbledon Village and the centre of Wimbledon have many restaurants and shopping choices. Wimbledon Common has a lot of green space for jogging, cycling etc.

AMSTERDAM

Our Home

We live in a spacious three bedroom apartment, on the 4th floor of a 1886 town-house on a canal, with a great view. The apartment is spacious and yet compact. It has a wooden floor and huge windows (with curtains!). The master bedroom has a double bed, the two other bedrooms have modern bunk beds with a single bed on top. The small bathroom has a shower. The living room with lots of novels (a lot of them in English), LCD tv, stereo/HiFi, WiFi, is connected to the large kitchen, were you can have breakfast/lunch/dinner. The kitchen is fully accommodated, with a full size fridge/freezer, a full size gas stove/electric oven with hot air function and microwave.

The inhabitants of the other two apartments (an elderly lady and a young couple) are very friendly. They will be more than happy to give answers to all sorts of questions.

There is a cat that comes with the house. His name is Tristan and he doesn't bother anyone. He is not needy, the only thing he needs is food and water once a day and an open window in the laundry room so he can come and go as he pleases.