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There are two types of apartments: a rented apartment and a condominium, which an individual owns rather than rents. In addition there are town-houses which are joint houses or apartments in a compact planned group in a town. Town-houses can be purchased or rented. Rented apartments can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars per month. The purchase price of condominiums and town-houses can range from thirty thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the US the historical preference since the 1950’s has been for people to purchase their own houses in the suburbs rather than in central areas of the cities. Private houses are the most expensive. Real estate firms advertise lands, houses and apartments and provide a market for buyers and sellers. The cost of private houses has escalated sharply in recent years and consequently people have sought to buy town houses and condominiums which generally are cheaper.
A mobile home is the cheapest form of housing that can be purchased. Mobile homes can be moved from place to place by trucks. Mobile homes are located in special mobile home parks, which are sometimes called mobile villages. They are usually on the outskirts of cities. Retired people and young people with low income reside in mobile homes which can be purchased or rented.
(from “Life and Issues in the USA”)
Comprehension questions:
How can American apartments usually be described?
What rooms do they usually have?
What is the most typical decoration of the apartments?
Where are laundry facilities installed?
What is used to regulate the temperature?
What are the two types of apartments?
Can town-houses be purchased or rented?
What is the purchase price of condominiums?
What houses are the most expensive?
What can you say about mobile homes?
Speaking
1. Answer these questions about yourself and, if possible, find out how someone else would answer them.
Is your house detached? What sort is it if not?
Are time-shares common in any part of your country?
Do houses still have pantries in your country?
Is it common to rent bedsits in your country? If so, what sort of people do so?
What types of houses are the most common in your country? Compare them with English and American homes.
Self Check
Exercise 1. Fill in prepositions where necessary.
What street does Kate live … ?
I live a long way … the University.
I have a 2-room flat … the first floor … a new block of flats … Gorky Street.
Jane says she is very happy … her new cottage.
What’s there … the left of the sink?
She doesn’t have a room all … herself. She has to share it … Betty.
Does your kitchen face … south or north?
We have a lovely view … the window.
How much have you paid … your room?
… the sides … the window there are gaily-coloured curtains.
They’ve moved … a well-planned comfortable flat, located … the suburbs … Minsk.
Do you prefer to live … digs or … a hall of residence?
Does Mary live … her aunt’s?
Who do you take the room …?
It’s hard to find lodgings … a low price … September, isn’t it?
Which … the houses is your college?
The flat faces … the tennis courts.
There’s central heating … all the rooms.
I’d like to room … Helen. We study … the same group.
It’s not easy to find good lodgings … September.
The Smiths rent the house … an elderly couple.
She has to share … her colleague … the hall of residence.
Are you pleased … your new fridge?
The house I live … is very close … the centre.
Have you a flat … your own?
I want you to pay … advance.
What particular house rules do I have to keep … ?
Exercise 2. Translate into English.
Я живу на частной квартире. Я снимаю комнату у своих дальних родственников.
У вас на кухне очень много солнца. Окно выходит на юг, не так ли?
На следующей неделе Смирновы переезжают на новую квартиру. У них теперь 3-комнатная квартира на 5-м этаже на улице Горького.
– У вас есть своя квартира?
– К сожалению, нет. Мы живем на частной квартире.
– Сколько вам приходится платить?
– Мы платим 50$ за маленькую комнату.
– У Петровых собственный дом?
– Нет, они снимают квартиру, но очень хотят купить свой дом.
– Нина все еще живет у тети?
– Она живет сейчас на квартире в Уручье.
– У нее отдельная комната?
– Нет, она живет с двумя девушками. Обе девушки тоже
первокурсницы. Комната очень уютная, но довольно далеко от университета.
– Конечно, очень трудно найти хорошую квартиру в центре, не
так ли?
– Катя выходит замуж на следующей неделе.
– Неужели? Интересно, где они собираются жить?
– Она надеется получить отдельную комнату в общежитии.
– Тебе нравится ваша новая квартира?
– Очень. Квартира просторная и светлая. Все окна выходят на
юго-запад. У меня теперь своя комната. Зайди как-нибудь.
– Куда выходят окна вашей квартиры?
– Во двор. И я считаю, что это очень удобно.
– Петр сейчас на первом курсе. Он бы хотел снять комнату
недалеко от университета.
– Но в сентябре нелегко найти квартиру в центре, не так ли?
– Вы снимаете комнату у своих дальних родственников, не так
ли?
– Да, нам повезло, у нас сейчас очень просторная и уютная
комната. Окно выходит в парк. У нас прекрасный вид из окна.
– Вы много платите за свою комнату?
– 50$. Сейчас очень трудно найти дешевую комнату
(квартиру) (недешево жить на квартире).
– У Николая своя квартира?
– Нет, он снимает двухкомнатную квартиру в новом
многоэтажном доме со всеми удобствами.
– На каком этаже они живут?
– На шестом.
– Какой из этих домов твой?
– Мой – девятиэтажный. У нас все удобства: лифт,
мусоропровод, телефон.
У нас немного мебели, только самые необходимые вещи. Мы
очень довольны своей новой секцией. Она очень удобная и занимает мало места.
Пол покрыт линолеумом, стены оклеены обоями, а потолок побелен.
– Вы довольны своим новым холодильником?
– Конечно. Он очень удобный и занимает мало места.
– Где он стоит?
– Между мойкой и буфетом.
Наша квартира в самом центре города. Окна выходят на проспект Независимости. С одной стороны, это удобно, т.к. все магазины, театры и кинотеатры под рукой. С другой стороны, у нас очень шумно.
– У вас есть стенная (встроенная) мебель в квартире?
– Да, у нас два стенных шкафа в прихожей. Я считаю это
очень удобным.
Они купили этот дом, когда поженились.
Когда вы переезжаете на новую квартиру?
Очень удобно иметь балкон, не так ли? (стиральную машину, пылесос, телевизор, холодильник)
UNIT 2
Sharing a Room
A. Students’ Hostel
Active Vocabulary
alarm-clock a long way from; a pretty long way from
as a matter of fact at odd hours
built-in furniture delighted (= I am delighted) to tell you
fairly in advance
light and heat are extra lined with trees
living conditions on both sides of
payable weekly in advance price limit
quite enough for the two of us
right away right opposite
spacious suit two girls sharing
superficial there is no place like home
the usual run of things this can’t be helped
to be anxious to be in its place
to count on to cut one’s costs
to get used to to move away from
to move in to settle down
to take a bed to be up to one’s ears in studies
to feel close to miss smb badly
to feel homesick at times work conditions
a room to let
Exercise 1. Use the given words in two “there is / there are” sentences. In one place the propositional phrase at the end, in the other – at the beginning of the sentence.
Example: There is a park opposite the house. In the park there are lots of old trees and nice flowers.
1. armchairs, two, comfortable, near the window; between, coffee-table. 2. big, double bed, in the bedroom; a bedside rug, on the floor near the bed. 3. wardrobe, big, in the hall; things, many, in. 4. sofa, one, in the lounge; above, wall-lamp. 5. in the left-hand corner, armchair, comfortable; cushion, on. 6. round, table, big, in the middle of the room; a few, chairs, around. 7. opposite, the front door, coat-rack; a lot of, coats, on.
Exercise 2. Use the words in brackets to complete the description.
Example: There is a large window in the room. On the window-sill there are flowers. (beautiful) The flowers are beautiful.
1. There is a small table near the window. On the table there is a computer. (quite new) 2. There are twin beds in their bedroom. On the beds there are bedclothes of the same colour. (dark green) 3. There is a big vase on the table. Under the vase there is a table-runner. (very beautiful) 4. There is a big wardrobe opposite the door. On the wardrobe there are a few hats. (belong to…) 5. There are many shelves on the wall. On the shelves there are a lot of house plants. (make the room cosy) 6. There is a cupboard by the left wall. Near it there is a fridge. (keeps the provisions fresh) 7. There is a bedside cabinet near the bed. There is a reading-lamp on it. (very convenient) 8. There are a few chairs around the table. Opposite the table there is a bookcase. (full of books)
Exercise 3. Fill in the blanks with “it is” or “there is / there are”.
1. … a beautiful picture. 2. … three drawers in the table. 3. … fine roses in the vase. … a present from a friend of mine. 4. Hurry up! … no time to lose! 5. … the only room to let. … no other rooms here. 6. … not a pantry. … no pantry in this flat. 7. … no gas in the house. … an electric cooker, … very convenient. 8. … a pity … no telephone in your room. 9. … two large windows in the bedroom, so … quite light. 10. … really a nice table but … no place for it in my room.