A

1.2. Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct position in the passages below.

t the side of the house there is a garage, where they can keep their car. The garden isenclosed by a fence, with a gate in it.

Renting a flat

deposit fee flat block

rent landlord references advertisements

accommodation agency self-contained

The first thing I had to do in Belfast was to find somewhere to live, if possible a small, one-bedroomed (a) ______. I didn’t want to share a kitchen or toilet; I wanted to be independent in my own (b) ____ place. I decided I could pay a (c) _____ of $50 a week. I couldn’t find what I wanted in the newspaper (d) ________ so I went to an (e) ________. They offered me a nice place. It was in a modern (f) ________ on the third floor. I had to pay the agency a (g) ________, and the (h) ________ wanted a big (i) _______ and (j) _______ from my employer and bank manager.

Buying a house

condition detached removals cramped semi-detached builder

spacious surveyor architect terraced estate-agent

Tony and Sheila’s first home was a (a) ___ house, one of a line of houses all connected. But several years later when they had a small child they found it rather (b) ______ for three people. They wanted something more (c) ________ and so decided to move. They went to an (d) _______ and looked at details of the houses he had to offer. They looked at a (e) ______ house (=one of a pair attached to each other), liked it, and asked a (f) ______ to inspect it for them. He said that it was in good (g) ________, and they therefore decided to buy it. Luckily they sold their house quickly and soon a (h) _________ firm was taking all their furniture and other possessions to their new home. But already, after a couple of years, they are hoping to move again. Tony’s business is doing well and they want to get an (i) ________ to design a modern, (j) _____ house for them, and a (k) ________ to build it.

f

1.3. Put one of the following words in each space in the sentences below.

or at in on of into with

1. She wanted a place ___ her own.

2. He’ll move ____ tomorrow.

3. He’ll move _____ his flat tomorrow.

4. I share the kitchen ____ three other people.

5. The landlord asked the tenant ____ more rent.

6. My flat is ____ the top floor.

7. My flat is ___ a modern block.

8. The house is ____ good condition.

9. I looked ______ advertisements ___ the newspaper.

10. S

    1.4. A) Look at the pictures of some of accommodation types and read their

    descriptions.

    he pays a rent _____ $90 a week.

Best choice: a detached house

A detached house has land all round it. More and more modern homes are detached, although in areas where building land is expensive, the houses may be very close to each other. This is the most desirable house. Notice its main characteristics:

• The traditional building materials of brick (the walls) and slate (the roof);

• the irregular, 'non-classical', shape, with all those little corners, making the house feel 'cosy (cozy)';

• the suggestion of a large front garden with a tree and bushes, evoking not

only the countryside but also giving greater privacy;

• that the garage (on the left) is hidden discretely away, so that it is not too obvious and doesn't spoil the rural feeling;

• that the front door is not even in the picture (the privacy criterion at work again).