Speaking and listening – Elementary to Intermediate Let’s talk about HOUSES Conversation cards Where do you live? Do you live in a house or a flat (also: apartment)? Describe your house or flat. (both inside and outside) How many rooms are there in your house? Name them. What is there in your living room? Name as many things as you can. What do you do there? What is there in your bedroom? Name as many things as you can. What time do you usually go to bed? What is there in your kitchen? Name as many things as you can. What do you do there? What is there in your bathroom? Name as many things as you can. What do you do there? What is there in your garden? Name as many things as you can. What do you do there? What is there in your garage? Name as many things as you can. What do you do there? Do you prefer living in a house or flat? Explain why. Do you prefer living in the city or the country? Explain why. Are you in favour of renting or buying a house? Explain why. How much does an average house or flat cost where you live? Where do people get the money to buy one? Who does the housework in your family? What do they do? Give some reasons why people can become homeless. How many kinds of houses can you name? (e.g. house, flat, apartment, …) How many times have you moved house? Did you enjoy it? Make a list of important things to look for when buying (or renting) a house. (e.g. a garden, near a supermarket) 1 2 kitchen bathroom 3 5 Match BrE (left) with AmE (right) 4 6 1 cellar a apartment 2 lift b yard 3 garden c basement 4 flat d elevator garden cellar Explain and discuss living room dining room 7 8 study bedroom hall attic garage 11 9 10 Home sweet home. Home is where the heart is. A man’s home is his castle. Until the cows come home. Charity begins at home. Bring home the bacon. Speaking and listening – Elementary to Intermediate ANSWER KEY There is/There are Living room: sofa, TV, armchair, coffee table, rug, table, chairs, computer, lamp, bookcase, cupboard, shelves, picture Bedroom: bed, wardrobe, nightstand(s), pillows, mattress, sheets, duvet/comforter, mirror, dressing table/vanity Kitchen: cupboard, shelves, cooker/stove, pots & pans, microwave oven, sink, dishwasher, table, chairs Bathroom: toilet, bath, shower, washbasin, mirror, medicine cabinet Garden: flowers, grass, trees, shrubs, swimming pool, garden furniture, swing, sandbox, flower beds, Garage: car, bicycle, motorbike, lawn mower, shelves, tools, garden hose Discuss prices Introduce: savings, inheritance, mortgage Cleaning, cooking, washing, ironing, doing the dishes, setting the tables, taking out the rubbish/garbage bungalow, detached house, semidetached house, villa, palace, castle, mansion, farm, cottage, terraced house (also row house or town house), studio, houseboat, igloo, tent/wigwam, treehouse, condo (or condominium), cabin, stilt house, A-frame, hut, trailer Match BrE (left) with AmE (right) 1 Cellar C a apartment kitchen 8 2 Lift D b yard bathroom 3 3 Garden B c basement garden 2 4 Flat A d elevator cellar 10 living room 9 dining room 4 Explain and discuss study 11 bedroom 5 hall 6 attic 7 garage 1 Home sweet home. Home is where the heart is. A man’s home is his castle. Until the cows come home. Charity begins at home. Bring home the bacon.
