I. Answer the questions.

Ex. 3. Read and translate the text.

The Randolf sisters, Sadie and Esther, live just a block away from each other. Sadie constantly complains that the people in town are cold and unfriendly, while Esther finds them warm and pleasant.

Although Sadie can’t see it, the difference is in the way they approach those people. Sadie and her husband have a lovely house. It’s filled with beautiful antique furniture and glassware that is so fragile it could easily be broken by a careless guest or adventurous child. Whenever someone is visiting, Sadie and her husband are constantly straightening up. Their behaviour seems to indicate that they put more of an emphasis on the looks of their house than on the comfort of their guests. As a result, their nervous guests behave with excessive care − and they leave as soon as possible.

In contrast, Esther’s house is not fancy at all. In fact, it’s almost shabby. But she and her husband have a relaxed, friendly attitude toward visitors, who don’t have to worry about an accident occurring with an expensive piece of furniture or vase. Esther’s house is a place where people can drop in, put their feet up on the coffee table, and feel at home.

1. Whose house, Sadies or Esthers, appeals to you? Why?

2. Which one would you drop in? Why?

3. In what houses do you feel at home? Why?

4. What do you think of those hosts who put more of an emphasis on the looks of their house than on the comfort of their guests?

5. What house would you call lovely?

6. What house would you call shabby?

7. What does home mean to you?

II. Make up dialogues:

1) between Sadie, her husband and their guests;

2) between Esther, her husband and their guests.

Ex. 4. Have a look at Picture A and B. Answer the questions. Make use of the phrases and words below:

Picture A

Picture B

It needs cleaning; to scatter; to throw around; to tidy up; to be piled with something; to lack; to be in disorder; untidy; in a mess.

Picture A

1. What can you see in Picture A?

2. Could you describe it in detail?

3. What attracts your attention in particular?

4. Whats your impression of this room?

5. Do you like it?

6. What do you think of its occupant?

Picture В

1. What can you see in it?

2. Do you like the room now?

3. Could you describe Picture В in detail?

4. What changes have been made? Why?

5. What is missing in Picture B?

6. Could you compare these two pictures?

7. Which picture do you like better and why?

8. What would you add to make it look cosier?

Ex. 5. Look at the plan of a flat and decide how you would arrange it. Discuss with the classmates what you would buy to furnish it. Make use of the phrases below:

Ex. 6. Read the telephone conversation and draw a plan of the house and the garden. Tell other students how you would furnish the house and use the rooms.

Martin:Hello, Linda!

Linda:Hi!

Martin:Well, good news at last. After looking at about two hundred houses, I’ve found just the place for us. It’s in Blackwood, which is an outer suburb about twenty five minutes drive from the city. I think you’ll love it. It’s got a lovely big garden and lots of trees.

Linda:Yes, fantastic. Now tell me all about it.

Martin:Well, it’s basically a three bedroom house. Very individual in style. There’s no front door at all. You come into the hall from a side door. As you walk down the hall, there are two bedrooms on the left. On the right there is a door leading into a huge lounge.

Linda:What about the third bedroom?

Martin:Well, if you keep going down the hall, it is on the right, past the lounge room. The room on the left would make a useful study or family room. The one on the right, which has a wine cellar by the way, would be a very good store room or junk room.

Linda:I see.

Martin:What sold me on the house was the kitchen. It leads off the lounge and is huge.We can eat in there when we don’t feel like having a formal meal in the dining room.

Linda:What about outside?

Martin:Well, there’s a big wide verandah running across the front of the house. The two main bedrooms look out onto this. It also continues down the left-hand side of the house. Part of it, on the western side, acts as a passage to the bathroom and toilet.

Linda:And the garden? You said something about a garden.

Martin:Yes, it is one of the nicest things about the place. A driveway runs down the left-hand side of the house to the garden. On the right of the house there is an orchard with apple, plum and orange trees. At the rear there is a large grassed area surrounded by a border of trees and shrubs. In the middle of the lawn there is an old clothes line.

Linda:That’ll have to go!

Martin:Well, it is useful.

Linda:I don’t care, it is ugly.

Martin:OK, the clothes line goes.

Linda:Well, then, when can I see it?

Martin:As soon as you arrive tomorrow.

Linda:Great. I’ll see you then. Bye.

Martin:Bye.