Conversational practice dialogues a. Looking for a new apartment

Ex. 1. Read and translate the dialogue.

Mary is giving Jerry advice on how to find a new apartment.

Jerry: Yeah, It sounds good. It’s also near the zoo and the National Library.

Mary: Next you have to think about rent. What price range are you thinking about?

Jerry: Well, I really can’t pay more than 300 euro a month, but I'd like to pay 250 if possible.

Mary: What if you find a perfect apartment for 380 euro or 400, something really beautiful. Would you take it?

Jerry: No, I really can’t afford to pay that much. 300 euro is definitely my limit.

Mary: I think 300 euro is possible if you have a roommate. You could share an apartment with a college student, or maybe a young worker.

Jerry: That might be interesting, but I really like my privacy. I need to study French in a quiet place and also sleep in peace every night.

Mary: Maybe it’s best for you to pay a little bit more for your own apartment. So, the next step is to decide what kind of apartment you want - how many rooms, what kind of furnishings, stuff like that.

Jerry: I don’t need any special furnishings, but I certainly want a southern exposure. I like to have a bright, sunny room. One bedroom and one living room is enough, but I really want to have a balcony.

Mary: That should be easy to find. Most apartment buildings have rooms facing south, usually with a balcony. But if you only want to pay 300 euro, maybe you will only have one room, not two.

Jerry: I see. That’s a bit small compared to my apartment in New York. But I guess Paris is more crowded.

Mary: Maybe we’ll get lucky and find something bigger. Let’s wait and see.

Jerry: OK, now that I know what I want, what do I have to do to actually find an apartment?

Mary: I’ll look through some advertisements and make some phone calls. Then we can go check out the ones that sound good.

Jerry: That’s great, Mary. I’m really looking forward to having a nice, new apartment!

Mary: Yes, a SUNNY new apartment!

Ex. 2. Answer the following questions.

1. What sum of money can Jerry afford to pay for an apartment?

2. What language does Jerry study?

3. Would Jerry like to live alone or to share an apartment with a college student?

Ex. 3. Formulate in short what the dialogue is about.

B. Renting a room

Ex. 1. Read and translate the dialogue.

Blanca makes a phone call to an apartment complex inquiring about the rent....

Blanca: Hello. I’m calling about the apartment you advertised. 

Manager: Yes. What kind of apartment are you interested in?

Blanca: I’m interested in a one-bedroom. Do you have any   available?

Manager: Yes. I have one. When do you need it?

Blanca: Sometime around next week. What can you tell me about this apartment?

Manager: Well, it’s a one-bedroom apartment.  The monthly rent is $650, with a $300 security deposit. You pay electricity only.  Gas and water is included. Both the heat and stove are gas. You’ll be assigned a sheltered parking space at no extra charge. And ... that’s probably it.

Blanca: Sounds good. May I come over tomorrow to take a look?

Manager: Sure. What time would you like to come?

Blanca: How about 10 a.m.?

Manager: Good. May I have your name, please?

Blanca: My name is Blanca.

Manager: Blanca, I’ll see you tomorrow.

Ex. 2. Render the dialogue in Indirect Speech.

1. REAL BARGAIN

Ex. 1. Read and translate the dialogue.

Mr. Palmer is looking for a new house. He’s tired of living in the city and he wants to live in a quiet village. He’s with the estate agent now.

Estate Agent: Well, Mr. Palmer. This is the semi-detached house that I told you about… Number 26, Richmond Road. The owners are away, but I’ve got a key.

Mr. Palmer: Hmm… when was it built?

A.: It was built in 1928.

P.: Who built it?

A.: I’m not really sure. Is it important?

P.: No, not really. Is that a new roof? It looks new.

A.: It’s really new. It was put on last year. You can see that it’s in very good condition. The previous owner was a builder.

P.: It’s quite an old house. I’m worried about the electrical wiring. Has it been rewired?

A.: Yes, it has.

P.: Oh, when was it done?

A.: Five years ago. Also, it’s been redecorated. Central heating has been put in, and a new garage has been built.

P.: Oh, when was it done?

A: Last year… I think. It’s a very solid house. It’s built with a tiled roof…

P.: It’s a long way from a big town. What are the services like?

A.: Hold on… I’ve got the details here. Yes…let me see…the dustbins are emptied every Thursday.

P: It’s important for me to see the post before I go to work. When is it delivered?

A: It’s usually delivered at about 7.30. The milk is delivered about six o’clock…so you’ll have fresh milk for breakfast.

P: It’s certainly very cheap. I’ve seen a lot of similar houses… and they’re more expensive.

A: Ah, yes…it’s a real bargain.

P.: Are there any plans for the area?

A.: Pardon? Plans…well, a new school is going to be built in the village next year…

P.: Anything else?

A.: …and a new road, a motorway actually, will be built next year, too. You’ll be able to get to London easily.

P.: Where exactly will the motorway be built?

A.: Well, actually, it’ll be built behind the house. A bridge will be constructed over the house. It’ll be very interesting. You’ll be able to watch the traffic…

Ex. 2. Act out the dialogue.

2. LOOKING FOR A HOUSE

Ex. 1. Practise the following dialogue.

Marylin: Where should we look for a house, Mrs. Martinelli?

Virginia: Well, we have an office in Mount Kisko. It’s a lovely area, and it’s only about an hour’s drive from here. (She takes out a book of photos). Here I have a book with photos of some homes in that area. Now, let’s see here. This is a lovely two-bedroom house in your price range.

M.: It’s pretty, but I prefer a two-storey home.

Richard.: I do, too. I don’t care for a ranch type.

V.: OK. (She turns the pages of the real-estate book.) Oh, this is a wonderful house. I know it well. I sold it to the present owners.

R.: It looks wonderful.

V.: This is a two-bedroom, two-bath house. It has a full basement, and it is in a half-acre lot. You can probably afford this one.

M.: I like this house.

R.: So do I.

V.: And the price is right. Would you like to go to see it?

R.: Yes. We’re planning to talk to someone at the bank next week. Perhaps we could see the house this weekend.

V.: If someone doesn’t buy it before then. But let’s keep looking just to get an idea of some other possibilities.

R.: This is very helpful, Mrs. Martinelli.

V.: Here. This is a wonderful example of Spanish-style architecture.

R.: Oh, I love the roof tiles on a Spanish-style house.

Ellen: It looks like the houses in Hollywood.

V.: It’s interesting. A house like this in Riverdale costs double the price. (She turns the pages of the book.) Oh, my! Here’s a real buy. It’s a bargain. This house just came on the market.

M.: It’s quite lovely. Is it a two-bedroom house?

V.: No, it has three bedrooms and three baths. I know the house. It has a brand new kitchen. And a living room has a 12-foot ceiling. And there’s a two-car garage.

R.: Then why don’t we go to look at the house, too?

V.: It’s a good investment.

R.: Thank you, Mrs. Martinelli.

M.: Thanks so much.

V.: My pleasure. Give me my best to your parents.

Ex. 2. You are going to buy a new house. Discuss what kind of house you would like to buy. Make use of the dialogue above.