Vocabulary notes

1. outstanding [aut`stændiη] – знаменитый, известный

2. significantly [sig`nifikәntli] – значительно

3. superconductivity [su:pəkondək`tivәti] – физиол. сверхпроводимость

4. arthritis [a:`θraitis] – артрит

5. behaviour [bi`heiviә] – поведение

6. humidity [hju`miditi] – влажность

Социально-деловая сфера

Home

1. We are Building a House of Our Own

Wales – an architect who is to design a house

Bob – a client

Sandra – his wife

Wales: Now, I’ve made sure that the main services – water and electricity are

available in Manchester. So there is nothing to worry about. I’d like to

discuss with you the interior design. Shall we start with the downstairs or

the upstairs?

Sandra: Downstairs, please.

Wales: Here is a rough plan of the ground floor. The hall and kitchen are on the

side facing the road. The living-room and dining-room are on the south,

with side windows looking on the garden. They’ll get all the sunshine,

of course.

Bob: We agreed to combine the living-room and the dining-room, didn’t we?

Wales: Yes. You’ll see I’ve put a wall between the two rooms. The division can

be made by built-in book-shelves on the living-room side and cupboards

and more shelves on the dining-room side.

Sandra: An excellent idea! I like built-in furniture. It saves space, and is cheaper.

We won’t have to buy separate pieces of furniture.

Wales: You’re right, Sandra. Now I’ll go ahead. Here’s the hall and the stairs.

There is a door from the hall into the living-room here, and another door

on the right into the kitchen.

Bob: That al seems very convenient. As for the kitchen I’m afraid there won’t

be enough light. What can we do about it?

Wales: The door on the west side can be half glass, if you like. This door is for

the tradesmen. If you look at the sketch, you’ll see here’s a path from the

gate to the front door. Here’s the garage, on the west side of the house.

There’s also a door in the kitchen which leads to a cellar.

Sandra: Isn’t it wonderful, darling?

Bob: We were discussing lighting last time we saw you, Wales. Will that be

all right?

Wales: You say you don’t want standard lamps or table lamps, so I’ve arranged

for indirect lighting in the living-room. The cables will be built into the

wall. There will be also several power points at the lower parts of the

walls for the vacuum-cleaner, TV-set, CD-player and other appliances.

Bob: Oh, there is one thing I forgot to ask about the kitchen. Most of the kitchen

furniture will be built-in, won’t it?

Wales: Yes, the sink and the draining-boards will be under the windows. The

electric cooker will be in the corner, so there’ll be plenty of space for a

refrigerator, a washing-machine and a dish-washer.

Sandra: The kitchen is going to be just marvelous!

Wales: I assume we’ve settled the exterior of the house, haven’t we? Is there

anything you’d like to ask me about?

Sandra: I don’t think so. Thank you so much.

Bob: Please, let me know when the builders, carpenters, plumbers start work.

We’ll want to go and see our house going up.

2. Renting a Room

A: Have you a room to let?

B: Yes, sir. What room do you want? A double-bedded room or a single?

A: I want a furnished living-room on the ground floor with boarding and

attendance.

B: How long will you require it?

A: I intend to stay about two months. Will you show me what rooms you have?

B: Certainly. Will you come this way, please?

A: I like the room. It’s tidy and comfortable.

B: The room is furnished and carpeted all over as you see. Here is a wardrobe

where you can hang your clothes.

A: I need a desk to work at. And I’d like to have my boots cleaned every morning.

B: Yes, sir.

A: And my breakfast must be ready at eight sharp. What will the price be,

including full board and attendance.

B: How will you take the room, by the week or by the month?

A: Does it make any difference?

B: It does, sir. If you take it for two months, you can have it for 60 pounds a

month. If you take it by the week, you’ll be charged much more, sir.

A: All right. I’ll take it for two months. By the way, where does this door lead?

B: To the street, sir.

3. Looking for an Apartment

Murphy: “Oceanfront” Realty. Bob Murphy speaking.

Collins: Hello. My name is Jack Collins. I’m calling about the ad.

Murphy: Which one?

Collins: The two-bedroom apartment. How much is the rent?

Murphy: $ 700 a month. You also have to pay a 700 dollar deposit that will be

given back to you when you move out.

Collins: How much does your agency charge?

Murphy: The agency’s fee amounts to one month-rent.

Collins: Is there a lease to be signed?

Murphy: Yes, there is. It’s a two-year lease.

Collins: It was not in your ad where the apartment is.

Murphy: Downtown. Park Avenue, 79. Apt. 3A.

Collins: Oh, I like the place. But unfortunately the rent is rather high.

Murphy: You won’t find anything cheaper in this neighbourhood.

Collins: I’m afraid, you’re right. I’ll think it over. Thank you.

Murphy: You are welcome.

Collins: Good-bye.

4. A Wonderful View from the Window

Gold: Swanson Agency. Allan Gold is speaking.

Taylor: Hello. This is Ben Taylor. I called about a two-bedroom apartment two

days ago. Is it still vacant, I wonder?

Gold: It is, sir.

Taylor: When could I possibly have a look at it?

Gold: In the afternoon after 3 o’clock.

Taylor: Is 4 o’clock all right? Does it suit you?

Gold: O.K. Let’s meet at the door of the apartment. Apt. 5A, No. 24. Beach Street.

Taylor: All right. Thank you.

______________________________________

Gold: This is a living room, as you see.

Taylor: Rather large. What about the bedroom?

Gold: Come on, look at it. There is a wonderful view of the ocean from its

window.

Taylor: Is there really? That’s great! How many built-in closets are there?

Gold: Two wardrobes and a chest of drawers (one to keep clothes, the other one

for linen).

Taylor: Where is the bathroom?

Gold: This way, please. Here it is. A bath-tub and a shower. Now let us go to the

kitchen. As you see, it has up-to-date equipment, a new sink and a gas stove.

You can put a washing machine here; there is enough room for it. A

refrigerator, quite new. Do you like the apartment, sir?

Taylor: Yes, it’s good. I’m ready to rent it.

Gold: Well, you can sign the rental agreement in my study.

5. Buying a House

Ann: Hi, Bess. This is Ann. How are you?

Bess: Fine, thank you. Where have you been?

Ann: Oh, I’ve bought a house. I’ve been dreaming about it all my life. And now,

gee, I have it!

Bess: Congratulations! I think it’s wonderful to live in your own house.

Ann: Yes, it is. But buying a new house, you get a lot of problems.

Bess: What do you mean? Your house doesn’t need repairing, does it?

Ann: No, it doesn’t. But I need to repaper the walls and to furnish the house.

Bess: Are you going to do it yourself or will you invite a designer?

Ann: I’d like to invite a designer, but I’m afraid, I can’t afford it now.

Bess: How much did the house cost? You must have paid a pretty penny.

Ann: Yes, I have. You are right. That’s the problem. I had not enough money to

pay for the house at once.

Bess: How did you manage to buy for the house then?

Ann: I had to go to a building society.

Bess: What is it? Is it a bank?

Ann: Kind of. This society lends money to those who want to buy a house or a

flat. I took a mortgage which amounts to 90 per cent of the selling price of

the house. Of course, for 25 years because of the interest rate I’ll pay much

more than the original price of the house, but I’ll pay relatively small sums

of money a month and at least I can afford it.

Bess: Oh, that’s wonderful. I’d like to buy a house of my own too!