Laboratory Lesson 7

Dialogues (Looking for a House to Buy)

1. Listen to the dialogues without reading the script and answer the questions about each of them below. If you can’t answer the questions, use the script.
2. Write out all the vocabulary related to the topic ‘Home’ you can find in the dialogues.

Click to listen: Dialogue 1. We can’t afford this houseListen to the recording and answer the following questions.

1. Is the house cheap enough for the speakers to buy?
2. What does the phrase ‘we’ll be house-rich but cash-poor’ mean?
3. What will the consequences of buying this house be for the speakers?
4. Do they finally decide to buy it? What is the main argument for or against buying the house?

A：We can’t afford this house. B:  Are you sure? A:  We’ll be house-rich but cash-poor. B:  What do you mean? A:  Our monthly payments will be too high. B:  We won’t have any money for other things? A:  No, we won’t have money for gas or food. B:  We’ll be eating peanut butter sandwiches. A:  Without the peanut butter. B:  That’s no good. A:  We have to find a cheaper house. B:  Of course, we can’t live without gas or peanut butter.   Click to listen: Dialogue 2. It’s Quite A Big HouseListen to the recording and answer the following questions.

1. What are the good things about this house and what are its inconveniences in your opinion?
2. What would you change in this house (if you could) to make it a perfect place for living?
3. Would you like to live in such a house? What’s the most important thing about this house that made you decide for or against it?

Paul: It’s quite a big house. How many floors are there? Dan: Three altogether and a basement. There’s the sitting room and the kitchen on the ground floor, three rooms on the next floor and three on the top floor. Liz: And my study is in the basement. Dan: There’s a small garden at the back, too. Paul: Well, it’s a lovely house. Liz: Yes we like it, too, but there’s one thing… Paul: What’s that? Liz: Too many stairs. Dan: The stairs! Click to listen: Dialogue 3. That house is too expensive.Listen to the recording and say if the statements are true or false.

1. The first house offered by the estate agent is not cheap enough for the woman (A).
2. The estate agent (B) has found a less expensive house for the woman.
3. The the guest house may turn out to be quite expensive.

A: That house is too expensive. Let’s see what else you’ve got on your list. B: This is a small guest house. Close to the sea… A: Excellent accommodation consisting of… Just what you said you wanted. And the price is low, of course. B: Mm. Nice. A: You could see it for yourself next Saturday or Sunday. B: But first, could you perhaps say what the low price is? Click to listen: Dialogue 4. That is a beautiful house.Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

1. Why isn’t the man happy about the house? Which phrases make you think so?
2. Does the woman agree with the man? What downsides of the house does she mention?
3. What location do they consider to be the best for their house?

A: That is a beautiful house. B: I  don’t like it. A: What’s the matter with it? B: It’s on the corner. A: So? B: That means it gets twice as much traffic. A: You’re right. B: When you’re inside, you will always hear cars stopping and stopping at the intersection. A: Or you’ll hear the collision if someone doesn’t stop. B: Or you’ll see the collision if they crash into the house. A: Let’s find a house that’s at the end of a dead end. B: That’s perfect. The less traffic, the better. Click to listen: Dialogue 5. I hate looking for an apartment.Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

1. Do the speakers enjoy looking for a new flat? What made you think so?
2. Is the flat they are going to see upstairs or downstairs?
3. What are the good things about the flat? Why are they good for the couple?
4. Are the speakers going to buy the apartment?

A: I hate looking for an apartment. B: Me, too. A: We have a 2 o’clock appointment to see the one on Main Street. B: We’d better get ready to go. A: It’s an upstairs unit. B: That’s good, because I don’t want to live under people with loud feet. A: And it’s a corner unit. B: That’s great. We won’t have neighbors on both sides of us. A: No pets are allowed. B: Perfect. We don’t have to listen to barking dogs. A: And there are only six units in the whole building. B: Where’s the checkbook? I’m ready to rent it without even seeing it.  Click to listen: Dialogue 6. Do you like this house?Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

1. Do both speakers like the house?
2. What are its good points?
3. What is wrong with the house?
4. Do both speakers have the same opinion about the downsides of the house?
5. What kind of house do they need?

A: Do you like this house? B: Yes, it’s beautiful. A: It’s perfect for us and the kids. B: Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a big back yard. A: And we can afford it! B: So are we going to buy it? A: I’m afraid not. B: It’s too far from your job, isn’t it? A: I can’t spend four hours on the road every day. B: By the time you get home, you’ll be too tired to even eat. A: I won’t be able to play with the kids. B: No, we have to find something closer to your job.   Click to listen: Dialogue 7. I really like this house.Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

1. Do both speakers like the house?
2. What does ‘twenty percent down’ mean?
3. What are the good things about the house? What is one more reason for the speakers to buy it?
4. Are the speakers going to buy the house?

A: I really like this house. B: Can we afford it? A: They want 20 percent down. B: That’s a lot of money. A: But the house is so nice. B: It’s in a great neighborhood. A: It’s close to the beach. B: It’s close to the freeways. A: It’s got a big yard. B: The kids love the house, too. A: If we don’t buy it, someone else will. B: You’re right. Let’s buy it now. We can worry later.