Дом. Выпуск 1. Учебно-методическое пособие для студентов, изучающих английский язык как второй иностранный

Колесова Татьяна Борисовна, Полякова Ирина Михайловна Учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку на тему: «Дом», Вып 1. Данное учебно-методическое пособие предназначено для студентов 3 курса отделения романо-германской филологии, изучающих английский язык как второй иностранный. Целью пособия является развитие у студентов навыков устной речи на английском языке по теме «Дом». Пособие содержит оригинальные тексты и упражнения, способствующие усвоению и закреплению нового лексического материала по теме, а также использованию его в процессе общения на английском языке. Рецензент учебно-методического пособия доцент гуманитарных факультетов РГУ – А.С. Числова.

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Home HOUSE-HUNTING. Read the text and get ready to discuss it. Now that Mary was expecting, she and Arthur decided that they ought to be thinking of finding a place of their own, their flat in Earls Court was not very suitable for bringing up children in. Moreover, Mary felt that with all the traffic, the air in Central London was too polluted for a young baby to breathe. he said she wanted a house in the suburbs with a garden. Arthur thought that would be a good idea to look for a property in the Epping Forest area, which as fairly near to his work in Enfield. Epping itself, despite its proximity to London, still retains the character of a small country town. It is almost completely surrounded by the forest, which is now a playground for the people of London. Although the forest is not very big, it is very thick in places and is quite easy to get lost in. The Saturday following Mary's visit to the doctor's, she and Arthur got up early and went to Epping, arriving there just after nine o'clock. They walked up and down the High Street, having a look at the town generally. They looked at the photographs and read the descriptions of various houses in an estate agent's window. All the properties they liked were much too expensive for them, however. They wouldn't have been able to find enough money to pay the deposit on any of them. Also they would have had to borrow so much on the mortgage that the monthly repayments would have been beyond their means. They walked further down the High Street and looked at one or two other estate agents' windows, and eventually found one or two houses which seemed just within their price bracket. They arranged to view three of them, one in the morning and the other two in the afternoon. They didn't like the first two they saw. One of them was on an estate miles away from the shops or public transport and the other needed a lot of money spending on it. By the time they got round to viewing the third house they were feeling somewhat depressed. Complete the following passage, using words and phrases reflecting your own ideas. If I were buying a house I expect that I should be able to afford something costing between ... and .... I would look for something in a … neighbourhood close to . . ., where I would hope to find . . . neighbours.' If possible I would like a ... -type house, with ... bedrooms and a ...

kitchen. The house would face . . ., and the rooms should be .... It is important that the house should have a ... and a .... If I had enough money I would install. .., if it did not have. these things in it already. READ AND REPRODUCE THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE: ESTATE AGENT: Hello

again. Now it was that property in Mafeking Terrace you wanted to look

at, wasn't it? ARTHUR: Yes, it was Mafeking Terrace, wasn't it, Mary? MARY: That's right. ESTATE AGENT: Well, wait a sec. I'll just get the keys and we'll go out the back way to my car. MARY: Oh, it smells a bit damp, doesn't it? ESTATE AGENT: Oh, that's nothing. It's because it's been unoccupied for six months or so. ARTHUR: I'm not surprised. ESTATE AGENT: I beg your pardon, sir. ARTHUR: Oh nothing. This is the front room, is it? ESTATE AGENT: Yes, it's quite a good size. Not too big. Easy to keep warm. MARY : Arthur, look at the wallpaper. ARTHUR : Yes, I see that the mice have been having a good time here. ESTATE AGENT: Well, I think I'll take you through to the kitchen now. MARY: Isn't it dark in here? ARTHUR: Yes, there's just this one tiny window with a good view of next door's dustbins. MARY: Oh, Arthur. I'm definitely not living here. I couldn't possibly bring up a baby in these

surroundings. ARTHUR : Yes, I agree. We've seen enough, thanks. ESTATE AGENT: Here we are. It's quite a nice road, isn't it? MARY: Arthur, look at all those motorbikes next door. ARTHUR: Oh dear, and I can't say I go for the red and white paintwork very much either. ESTATE AGENT: Well, you expect to have to redecorate when you move into a new home, don't you? Everybody's tastes differ. Well, here we are. This is the hall. Complete the sentences with the correct form or tense of the verb in brackets. a) The estate agent asked Arthur and Mary if they (MIND) (WAIT) a second. b) He asked them (FOLLOW) him out the back way. c) When they arrived at Mafeking Terrace, the estate agent (SAY) he (THINK) it (BE) a very nice road. d) Mary (DRAW) Arthur's attention to the motorbikes (PARK) outside the house next door. e) Arthur (SAY) he (NOT ENJOY) (LIVE) with the paintwork, if they decided to take the house. f) The estate agent (POINT) out that it (BE) usual (REDECORATE) soon after (MOVE) in. g) He (TELL) them that nobody (LIVE) in the house, for several months. Choose the best alternative. a) The estate agent asked Arthur and Mary if they ... to inspect the house in Mafcking Terrace. A. were wanting B. wanted C. would want D. want b) When you move into a new house you usually ... to redecorate.

A. must B. needs C. should D. need c) The house had not been occupied A. during six months. C. for a period of six months. B, six months ago. time. d) Mary did not approve ... the wallpaper. A. to B. with C. of D. in e) It appeared that, . . mice in the house. A. there were B. they were C. it was D. there are f) The kitchen was . .. dark. A. rather a B. such C. too much D. rather g) The kitchen window ... the neighbours' dustbins, A. looked over B. overlooked C. looked to D. looked at h) Mary said that she ... there. A. was not living C. wasn't going to live B. should not live D. hasn't been living

D. in six months'

Read the passage and then do the exercise. You will have no difficulty in making contact with the Agent. As you enter his office, you will be greeted immediately and politely asked what you are looking for. The Estate Agent's Negotiator - as he is called - will probably check that you really know your financial position. No harm in that, but you can always tell him that you have confirmed the position with the XYZ Building Society. He will accept that. He will show you the details of a whole range of properties; many of them not really what you are looking for at all. That does not matter. Far better turn them down than risk missing the right one. The printed details he will give you are called 'particulars'. Over the years, a whole language has grown up, solely for use in Agent's particulars. It is flowery, ornate and, providing you read it carefully and discount the adjectives, it can be very accurate and helpful. Since the passing of the Trades Description Act, any trader trying to sell something has had to be very careful as to what they say about it. Estate Agents have, by now, become very competent at going as far as they dare. For instance, it is quite acceptable to say 'delightfully situated'. That is an expression of his opinion. You may not agree, but he might like the idea of living next to the gasworks. If, on the other hand, he says that house has five bedrooms when, in fact, it has only two, that is a mis-statement and is an offence. Basically, all that you need to know about a house is: how many bedrooms it has; an indication of their size; whether the house has a garage; whether there is a garden and whether it is at the back or the front of the house; whether it is semi-detached, detached or terraced. a) The estate agent's negotiator will A. want all the details of your financial circumstances. B. want to satisfy himself that you understand the financial implications of buying a house. C. will check with the XYZ Building Society. D. accept any offer you make. b) The author believes A. you should only look at details of properties of the kind you have decided to buy. B. the agent will only show you the details of properties you have in mind.

C. it is better to be given information about too many properties than too c) The adjectives in agents' particulars are A. accurate. C. both accurate and helpful. B. helpful. B. helpful D. safe to ignore, d) The Trades Description Act applies to A. house agents only. C. any trader B. most estate agents. D. buyers of houses. e) Going as fur as they dare means A. covering as wide an area as possible. B. selling houses as far from the estate agent's houses as possible. C. taking as many liberties as possible in trying to make the description of a property sound attractive. D. telling lies about properties if nobody is likely to find out about it. f) An estate agent A. often has his office near a gasworks. B. will often like to live near a gasworks. C. must not call a house near a gasworks 'delightfully situated'. D. may call a house near a gasworks 'delightfully situated'. g) To make a mis-statement of fact in describing something for sale is A. a wrong opinion. B. against the law. C. illegitimate. E. offensive. h) A house built against another house on both sides is A. detached. C. terraced. B. semi-detached. D, none of these. Study the 'agent's particulars' given below and then do these exercises. 1. Imagine you want to sell your own house or flat. Write a description similar to the one in the 'particular'. Use metric measurements. FLASHMAN & SON ESTATE AGENTS A pleasant comfortable home. built about 45/50 years ago. with the advantage of 3 good Bedrooms and built more recently than the majority of houses in this road. SITUATION: In a popular residential neighbourhood about 1,5 miles from the City centre and within easy reach of 'buses, schools and shops, etc. CONSTRUCTION: Brick, stone-mullion windows, tiled roof. GROUND FLOOR: Entrance Hall: with cupboard, deep store and side door to garden. Front Lounge: 13'7" into bay x 12', with grey tiled fireplace and power point. Back Dining Room; 12' x 11'• with fireplace, power points and French door to garden. Kitchen: 9'6" x 7', with stainless steel sink unit, 'Sadia' electric water heater, double draining boards,

cupboards under, point for gas cooker, panel for electric fire, dresser, deep larder. FIRST FLOOR! Landing: Bedroom: Bedroom: Bedroom:

with power point. Trap door to roof space. 12' x 11', with original fireplace. 12' x 10', with original fireplace. 15'9" x 8', with original fireplace.

Bathroom: electric fire. OUTSIDE: Front Garden:

mainly pebbled.

Back Garden:

with lawn and borders, etc.

SERVICES: connected.

with bath, basin, 'Ferranti' electric water heater, W.C., wall-mounted

Main electricity (13 amp. ring main), gas, water and drainage are

Rates: £66.50 for the half year including water. OFFERS IN REGION OF $11,250 FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION ON COMPLETION OF THE PURCHASE.

Composition 1. Imagine that you are walking into an estate agent's office with a view to buying a house. When he asks you what kind of house you are looking for, write down what you would say. Consider the following: Price? - No. of bedrooms required? - Garage? - Garden? - Central Heating? - Position? - Older or modern property? - Good decorative order or house you wish to modernize yourself? 2. Write a letter to a friend describing a house you have inspected or: Describe some of the things that can go wrong when you are buying a house. Match the pictures with the words on the left. a. cottage b. semi-detached house c. terraced houses d. villa e. detached house f. bungalow g. mansion h. hut i. farmhouse

1. Which kind of house do you think would be best for a) families with young children b) old people c) single people d) people with pets? 2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in tall blocks of flats? 3. Which of the houses would you prefer to live in? COMMUNICATION SITUATIONS 1. You are looking around a house with a view to buying it. Ask the owner, who is showing you around, questions about the age, fuel expenses, and other things concerning the house which you cannot see for yourself. 2. Either: Give a friend some ideas of the procedures necessary for buying a house or: Ask a friend about them yourself. 3. You. see a. house that appeals to you advertised for sale. You knock on the door and ask if it is convenient to look around. ORAL PRACTICE 1. Practise saying these sentences from the Dialogue, a) It was/Mafeking Terrace,/wasn't it, Mary? b) I can't say/I go for/the red and white paintwork/very much either. c) Well,/you expect to/have to redecorate/when you move into/a new home./don't you? d) It's because it's/been unoccupied for/six months or so.

e) I couldn't possibly/bring up/a baby/in these surroundings. 2. Read the dialogue and then take the part of B. A What did you do with yourself yesterday, then? B Oh, house-hunting again. We looked at three houses in Epping. A Oh, did you? Did you see anything you fancied? B Yes. we liked one of them very much indeed. The other two weren't very exciting, though. A What was the one you fancied like? B Well, it was a fifteenth-century thatched cottage in a lane just outside the village. A Oh, what sort of state was it in? In my experience some of these old places can be pretty primitive. B: Oh

no! It had been done up very well. There's central heating, a modern fitted kitchen, a tiled bathroom and a lovely garden. The rooms were a decent size too. A: It sounds marvellous. What were the snags? B: There was only one snag - the price. They wanted the earth for it. A : Oh dear, what a shame! B: Well, I expect we'll find something in the end. Read the text and highlight the topical expressions in it. Translate it into Russian. Once, when I was looking for my first house, my wife and I inspected a small property that was owned by a widow. When we went inside we noticed that although the furniture and pictures and ornaments were in very bad taste, the house had been kept absolutely spotless. There wasn't so much as a speck of dirt anywhere. The widow was very proud other house; she talked about her beautiful garden, her beautiful bathroom and her magnificent sittingroom. When we told her that we were interested in buying the house, she said that she would have to think it over because she wasn't sure that she wanted to sell it after all. MOVING IN AND MEETING NEW NEIGHBOURS Eventually Arthur and Mary managed to find a three-bed roomed semi-detached house in a quiet estate on the outskirts of Epping. It was by no means a palatial residence but it was the best they could afford. It was in a quiet cul-de-sac away from the traffic but on the other hand it was quite convenient for the buses and it was only five minutes away from the forest. This was a very expensive time for the Newtons, as you can imagine. Not only did they have to find the money for the deposit but there were also solicitor's fees, surveyor's fees and of course, this being their first unfurnished home, they had to buy at least the essential pieces of furniture. Dr Newton helped them out with half the cash they needed for the deposit and Mrs Stephens, Mary's mother, said that as she and Mr Stephens were getting a new three-piece suite for their sitting-room, Arthur and Mary could have their old one. This was a great worry off their shoulders as furniture these days is very expensive. Nonetheless, they had to buy a bed, some floor covering - lino and carpets, a dining-table and chairs, a gas cooker and various other items for the kitchen. It seemed to Arthur that he was forever signing cheques. They had to wait rather a long time before they could move in, the reason being that the people they were buying the house from had been having some diffliculty in getting into their new house. However, at last they managed to get date for the completion of the sale and

Arthur made arrangements for the items of furniture they had purchased to be delivered. He took a Friday off from work and fixed this day for moving in. Using the notes below, complete the dialogue between Mary and her mother: MRS STEPHENS: you/look forward/move/new house, Mary? MARY: yes/but wonder where money come for furniture MRS STEPHENS: father/I same problem/we marry MARY: our trouble/no furniture at all/living furnished flat MRS STEPHENS: what/need/most urgently? MARY: bed/kitchen equipment/something sitting-room MRS STEPHENS: I/idea/father/I/think/some time/get/new three-piece MARY: what/good idea/marvellous/thank MRS STEPHENS: well/that/settled/how soon/need? MARY: not sure/think/about three weeks MRS STEPHENS: I/speak/father/home tonight/ring later.

suite/interested/ our old?

DIALOGUE: ARTHUR: Well, here we are. Do you want me to carry you over the thresh MARY; No, thank you. I think I'm getting a bit too big for that. It was a thought, though. ARTHUR: It looks a bit bare, doesn't it? MARY: Yes, and you can see where the Barnes' pictures have been. I didn’t realize the

wallpaper was so faded. ARTHUR: Yes, we'll either have to buy pictures the same size or redecorate the hall. MARY: Who's that at the door? ARTHUR: Yes? MAN: Mr Newton? We're from the Gas Board. We've brought your new cooker. ARTHER: AH! GOOD. DO COME IN. THE KITCHEN’S THROUGH HERE. MAN: I SEE. NOW WHERE’S THE GAS POINT? AH, THERE IT IS OVER THERE. ARTHUR: Well, thanks very much. Goodbye. MAN: Cheerio, sir. ARTHUR: Mary, what about a cup of tea? I'll put the kettle on. Oh no! I've suddenly realized we haven't got one. MARY: Well, you'll just have to go into Epping and get one. Oh, now I wonder who that is. JUDY: Hallo, I'm Judy Sampson from next door. We saw the van outside. I was wondering whether you'd like to come in for a quick cup of tea. MARV: Well, isn't that strange! We were just going to make one ourselves and discovered we'd got no kettle. Yes, we'd love one, wouldn't we, Arthur? I'm Mary Newton, by the way, and this is my husband, Arthur. ARTHUR: Hallo. MARY: Well,

that was lovely. We'd better be getting back now and get on with our unpacking. Oh, I know what I was going to ask you, Judy. What are our neighbours on the other side like? JUDY: Well, I expect you'll find out soon enough. MARY: Now we must be off - really. ARTHUR: She seems very nice.

MARY: Yes,

she's very friendly, isn't she? I wonder what she meant about our other

neighbours. ARTHUR: I don't know, I'm sure. It sounds a bit funny, doesn't it? ARTHUR: Well, I've just about had it now. I really can't do another thing. MARY: Yes, you've been working really hard today and so have I.I think we'll

get off to bed.

Hey, listen a minute! FEMALE VOICE (through wall): I've just about had enough of you and your behaviour. MALE VOICE (through wall): That's right. Nag, nag, nag! That's all I ever get from you. FEMALE VOICE: Oh, it's all very well for you, isn't it? Here am I... . MARY: I think I know what Judy meant now. Read the passage and answer the questions. You must face the fact that in your inmost heart you hate the thought of moving. You want to stay forever within familiar walls hung with familiar pictures, surrounded by long-known possessions and comforted by friendly furniture. It is easiest not to leave the rooms where your offspring passed through their enchanting childhood and maddening adolescence to a friendly but slightly distant maturity. Until, suddenly one day, the distance is absolute and they are grown up and gone. Then you find yourself living in too large a house, which consumes in its upkeep too much energy and money. When we found ourselves in this situation a few years ago, we determined to move while we still had the strength and before the emotional tentacles that the old house had wrapped around us became too powerful to Be broken. Move while you can! But be sure you really want to, and do not move too often. It is an exhausting process. Your first task is to find a house that will suit you. You may not realize it at once, but after a few weeks you discover that you are really looking for a house closely resembling the one you are planning to leave. However, it must be smaller, quieter, easier to run, and more conveniently placed for transport. Not so small, though, that it will not elegantly accommodate your largest pieces of furniture, and located not too far from the neighbourhood where so many friendships have been built up. Exercises 1. The following words could be used to describe some of the qualities of Pickfords as a removals firm. Find quotations from the advertisement which justify the descriptions. The first one has been done for you. Experience: 'For three centuries Pickfords have been moving things...' Flexibility Internationality Consistency Information Size Simplicity Thoroughness

2. You are about to move house and have to insure all the valuable items in your house. Write a list of the items and what they are worth. COMPOSITION 1. Read the Dialogue given above once again. Imagine that what happened to Arthur and Mary on moving-in day happened to you. Write a letter to a friend about it. 2. A neighbour I have known. 3. Advice on getting on with your neighbour. COMMUNICATION SITUATIONS 1. Imagine you are about to move house in a few weeks. Telephone a firm of furniture removers and explain where you are moving from and to, and how much furniture you have to move. 2. You have just moved into a new house. Call on one of your neighbours and introduce yourself and invite them in for a drink, 3. You have moved into a house and find that you are without milk, bread etc. Ask a neighbour if you may borrow some and ask where the best place are for shopping. Oral Practice 1. Practise saying these sentences from the Dialogue. a) Yes./we'll either have to/buy pictures/the same size/or redecorate/the hall. b) Mary./what about/a cup of tea? c) I've suddenly realized/we haven't/got one. 2. Read the dialogue and then take the part of A: A: How did the move go, then? B: Well, as you can probably imagine, we're still in utter chaos. A: Why? What happened? B: Well, the first thing was that the removal people got the date mixed up. A: Oh, no! What on earth did you do? B : First we rang them up and they swore blind we'd asked them to come the following Friday. A: My God! How did you manage, then? B: We eventually persuaded them we were in the right because we'd got it in black and white

on a letter they'd sent us. A: Did they come round immediately? B: Did they hell! We had to wait for over four hours. A: How awful! B: Yes, and it was a sweltering hot day and we couldn't even make a cup of tea because the gas and water had been cut off. Read the text and retell it in Russian: . When Michael was a boy, he lived in a semi-detached house in a suburb of London. It was a very pleasant neighbourhood of tree-lined avenues, small parks here and there and well-kept gardens. Michael went to the local primary school, which was very modern. He liked the

teachers and, on the whole, he had a very happy life. The one snag was the family who lived next door. There were a lot of noisy children, who often used to throw stones at him. Their father usually used to come home late and then began to quarrel with his wife. Michael was very glad when he looked out of his bedroom window one morning and saw a removal van outside the neighbours’ house.

Houses and gardens Read the text and highlight the topical words and word combinations. Look them up if you are not sure what they mean. Make up a plan and get ready to retell the text according to your plan. English see themselves essentially as a nation of home owners, and this is largely true: two thirds own their own property. Even the socialists no longer contemplate building masses of new council estates. This is hardly surprising when we see how many of these estates have deteriorated into ugly, scruffy areas where, unemployment and petty crime are a way of life. The Conservatives would like even more people to own their own homes. They believe that a home owner is more likely to vote Conservative than a rent payer. During the 1980's this was probably true, but the next two decades may well tell a different story. What kind of houses do the English live in, then? Some of them, as we have seen, live in council houses and flats. These dwellings are not all as bad as those round Liverpool, for example. Nevertheless, tower blocks of council flats deservedly have a bad reputation. They are often damp from the day they were built, the lifts are liable to break down, and the communal areas are usually smelly, dirty, and covered in graffiti. I am afraid that most English people would regard the way rota system for looking after communal areas works in Germany as nothing short of miraculous. But this is only one side of the story. In country areas one often passes a little crescent of what are obviously council houses because you can see they were built to a rather basic specification, but in the course of time they have become part of the landscape. There will be some fairly old cars outside, one or two of them up on blocks for major surgery. At the time these houses were built, no one dreamed that the day would come when council house tenants owned cars, so there are no garages. English people see the housing market as a ladder (see overleaf), so they worry about where they live a great deal. At the bottom are starter homes, flats or tiny houses built as cheaply as possible to enable the first-time buyer to get his foot on that vital first rung of the ladder. If the market is functioning normally and the owners are doing reasonably well at work, it will only be a couple of years before they start looking round for something a little larger and a little more attractive. They may genuinely need more room because a baby is on the way, but this will hardly ever be the only reason for a move. Above (most) flats on the housing ladder, and also above terraced houses, comes the archetypal British "semi". These are the houses built in mirror-image pairs which you can see on the approach roads to nearly every town or city. They vary in size and status depending on when and where they were built. A big, old semi in a quiet and leafy suburb will enjoy much higher status than a small, boxy detached house nearly touching its neighbour on a new housing estate. Of course, a large detached house (or des. res. = desirable residence in estate-agent-speak) at the nob (wealthy) end of town is better still. A picturesque country cottage in a nice village is also a prized possession, unless you

happen to be a villager yourself. It should really be your weekend cottage rather than your actual home. In the past the larger the mortgage, the more help house buyers received from the government, but these advantages have been severely trimmed in recent years. Other tax advantages for the wealthy and their clever tax accountants remain, of course, but this is not just a British problem. In the 1990's the first rung of the ladder is too high for many people. There are long waiting lists for council accommodation. Private rented property is, as it always has been, in short supply, over-priced and often of poor quality. It ranges from bed-sitters, usually in subdivided, crumbling, too-large but still inconvenient houses left over from the days of Victorian prosperity, to penthouse flats at the top of expensive blocks, complete with porters and security systems. In the 1990's the housing market is in the doldrums. Houses have fallen in price as a result of the recession, and consequently people cannot afford to sell and move up because they will get less for their houses than they paid for them. They are trapped in a "negative equity" situation. This means that their house is worth less than the amount of money they borrowed to buy it - a very worrying situation for any house owner. The market will gradually return to normal, but the days when the price of a house might go up several thousand pounds between agreeing to buy it and signing the contract will probably not return. People would like them to, of course. A runaway boom is exciting, and, as we have seen, the economy in Britain seems to be more volatile than in other countries. So the housing roller coaster may take off again - and crash again in due course. We will survive. It's something we're rather good at. Most houses have a garden. We expect to be able to enter and leave our dwellings at ground level via a path and a bit of grass. The feeling that this is the way things ought to be is probably the reason why flats have never really caught on in England. The Housing Ladder This gives you a good idea of the main kinds of homes people aspire to owning, Of course size, personal needs, and especially location are all-important, and can easily swop the position of two rungs on the ladder: a small, picturesque cottage in a quiet, unspoilt village is frequently regarded as higher up the ladder than a large detached house in a noisy town centre. 6. MANSION\ VILLA\ CASTLE 5. DETACHED HOUSE 4. COTTAGE 3. SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE 2. TERRACED HOUSE COUNCIL FLAT Different people do different things with this bit of grass. In that little crescent of council houses one small front garden may be a loving replica of the traditional cottage garden, with hollyhocks and roses round the trellised porch, whereas another may simply be the last resting place of an old washing machine and an abandoned bathtub, surrounded by long grass and clumps of nettles. Yet another garden may have a wishing well, a fountain, and a gnome fishing in a washbasin-sized pond. Round the back there may be a patio, suitably furnished, neat rows of vegetables, or a continuation of the long grass and rubbish. There is no such thing as a Sperrmull (bulky waste) collection in England. You have to take it down to the dump yourself, and sometimes it's just too much bother.

As gardens get larger, the scope increases, up to the point where a miniature version of the park surrounding a stately home becomes possible - or even a miniature golf course. A colleague of mine once laid out a nine-hole putting green on his immaculate lawn. Doing little jobs around the house and garden competes with television as the main leisure activity in England. No newspaper is complete without its gardening column, in cartoon form in some of the tabloids. Millions of pounds are spent at gardening centres (which are often like plant hypermarkets) and DIY supermarkets. Leading politicians and captains of industry like to be photographed at home, pruning their roses. It's supposed to show that they are not so different from the rest of us at heart. Radio and TV programmes for gardeners have an audience of millions, as a result of which the main presenters acquire a guru status which is difficult to match in other walks of life. The late Percy Thrower was at least as famous as any of our top sportsmen, and his main successor in the 90's, Geoff Hamilton, has achieved a similar standing. Viewers take the advice and tips given by such gurus very seriously, and are keen - sometimes over-keen - to try out some of the more exotic recommendations, occasionally with regrettable results. On the DIY front I think there is a real difference between English and Germane atitedes. Germans also spend a great deal of money down at the Do-lt-Yourselfl superstore, and it is seen as a good thing for a man to have a "hobby cellar", equipped with the very latest power tools, it goes without saying. But when it comes to actually doing those jobs around the house, Germans tend to call in the experts. This is very sensible - if you can afford it. The experts do a better job. Ordinary English people have less disposable income, but that isn't the whole story. They also have a feeling that they ought to be able to do things for themselves. I have stayed in a guesthouse in England where the bedroom furniture: was made from roughly-hewn pieces of veneered chipboard, screwed together with large, unhidden screws in a fairly haphazard manner. The proprietor proudly pointed out that he had made it himself, perhaps fearing that I might otherwise not have noticed. Even if he had not done it all himself, “DIY cowboys” from cheap building and decorating firms operating on the edge of legality could have made an equally bad job of it for him. In some areas of England life amateurism, once such an important characteristic of the English gentleman, has been replaced by thoroughly professional attitudes, and not before time. But around the house and garden, amateurism is still rife. We fit carpets which then come up in humps, we paint window-frames just before a shower and the paint comes up in bubbles, we lay a concrete path, and part of the concrete turns back into sand as it dries. We build rickety walls from genuine imitation stone. But it keeps us happy and occupied at the weekend if we can't afford one of those special offer trips to a posh hotel or the continent which are always being advertised in the Sunday papers. And, as we shall see, we work on our cars in much the same spirit. The country house syndrome A friend who was an up-and-corning lawyer once told me what his long-term aim in life was: a large, if possible sixteenth-century, house in its own extensive grounds landscaped by Capability Brown, flagstones on the kitchen floor and four or five large dogs of impeccable breeding lolloping around the place as large dogs do. This is the English dream in a nutshell. You notice that he didn't talk about what he would be doing in his profession when his dream came true. By then it would only be necessary to drop in at the office a couple of times a week. He would spend the rest of the time running his estate, and glorying in the automatic promotion to squire which would have been accorded

him by the village when he bought the house. This dream has retained its seductiveness although class barriers, even in England, are not as high as they once were. A wealthy businessman with a large motor yacht (often referred to as a "gin palace") may own a weekend cottage in the village and send his sons - even his daughters - to leading public schools. But in terms of status he can't compete with the Big House. If my friend has succeeded in buying one in the meantime he can happily drive around in old Wellington boots (green ones, of course) and an ancient Land Rover. He doesn't need to try any more. The house says it all for him. The German Chancellor has something called the Kanzlerbungalow, which was no doubt fairly expensive to build, but essentially it's an ordinary house. Plenty of his citizens build themselves very similar houses on a smaller scale. When the British Prime Minister meets important visitors, he does it in Chequers, a typical country house. And the Foreign Secretary has one too, in a village called Dorney. A survey of leading Conservative politicians would reveal that many of them actually own stately homes. As long as the house isn't a recent purchase it confers "Tory grandee" status on the present incumbent. So attractive are country houses that most rich people, from whatever walk of life, simply have to have one. At the time of writing Mick Jagger, for example, was on the point of getting some satisfaction at last by buying Chilham Castle near Canterbury for about 3,5 million, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber had just bought Kiltinan Castle in Ireland. George Harrison bought his 10-million, 120-room castle near Henley-on-Thames some time ago. A prosperous German citizen who has built himself a nice house on the edge of town will be most unwilling to move anywhere else. He probably won't have been able to afford to build until his mid-forties, and he will have had plenty of time with the help of his wife, to decide exactly how he wants everything to be. After all the trouble and strife of building, a process which may take a year or more and always costs more than it was supposed to, he is a psychological wreck. His finances are at a low from which they may never fully recover. No wonder he wants to stay put. Building a house in Germany is like climbing onto a single, very high step. In England, remember, it's a ladder. That ladder goes up from the starter home to the semi to the nice house in stockbroker country, and perhaps, as the final glittering prize into the clouds at the top, where the stately homes are. The satisfaction felt by many Germans on moving into their own homes is far greater than that felt by English people doing the same thing: the English know that they are not yet at the top of the ladder. And because English society is still classridden, it matters. Cars You may be wondering why cars are in the At Home chapter. The answer, is, of course, that cars spend most of their time at home, either in the garage, if it isn't full of junk, or in the drive or the road outside, for neighbours to admire or not, as the case may be. The first letter on an English number plate tells the neighbours how old your car is, unless you have done what many people do, and bought a so-called personal number plate which bears your initials, your age when you bought the car, or some other combination of letters and/or numbers which has special significance for you. These numbers go back to the days before the date letter, so they don't give away the age of your car. The really nice ones, two or three letters plus a single digit, are worth thousands of pounds. Lists of interesting numbers appear regularly in the motoring press. Who drives around in what kind of car? The yuppies of the 1980's simply had to have a Porsche or two. Their modern successors have gone in for a less flashy image. Senior

managers like Jaguars, and big Mercedes or BMW's. The biggest Fords, Vauxhalls and Rovers are for people in the next slot down. Few of "these cars are actually bought by their owners. These are company cars, until recently an important perk for many English workers. The tax advantages are at present in the process of being dismantled. Humbler reps and the like tend to get smaller Fords and Vauxhalls, good cars, but lacking that certain something which the prestige makes undoubtedly have. People who have to buy their own cars are very likely to go for small Vauxhalls, Fords and Rovers, the venerable mini, or one of the excellent small continental or Japanese hatchbacks. Plenty of people have to make do with a second-hand car. The car population of Germany is on average a size larger and a generation newer. An English newsagent's such as W.H. Smith's sells large numbers of magazines like Practical Mechanics or Popular Classics which are dedicated to the oily-handed. The owners of these old cars would not be able to afford garage charges for servicing and repairs, but even people who can afford to have their cars looked after by the professionals often do their own maintenance. I confess to enjoying this kind of work myself. I remember once not long after we moved to Germany looking out of the window on a very cold morning and seeing that a neighbour was unable to start his Audi. Before I could get my shoes and coat on and go out to offer help, he had gone back into the house to phone the ADAC without even opening the bonnet. This. struck me at the time and still does strike me, as a very unEnglish thing to do. In England, even someone who is fairly hopeless mechanically would at least have a look at the engine first, however fruitless that look might turn out to be. I think the way in which ordinary English people often manage with things which are not the latest or the best, and which they come to terms with and make the best of (even if they moan rather a lot), is an endearing characteristic on the whole. I believe that tinkering with things and trying to get them going again is good for the soul, an excellent antidote to the office or the factory. Gardening is in the same category for those who enjoy it. The resources of our planet are not inexhaustible. Perhaps other, richer countries will also have to start repairing things instead of throwing them away in the not-too-distant future. Some commentators have even claimed that Britain is showing the way ahead towards the first post-industrial society. Having started the process of industrialisation before anyone else, we should by rights be the first to come out on the other side. Points for Discussion 1. Describe some typical English houses, and their likely occupants. How does the picture compare with housing in your country? 2. Why is it harder to buy - or sell - a house nowadays than it used to be? 3. Write a short paragraph about English gardens. 4. How do English people feel about DIY? Is the situation similar in your country? 5. Can you explain the attractions of a country house for successful English people? Would you like to live in a country house one day? Give reasons or your answer. 6. Why does building a house tend to be a "once-in-a-lifetime" thing for Germans?

DIALOGUES. Mutual Feelings Mrs. Jones Oh, look! It's snowing, Mrs. Smith! Mrs. Smith So it is! I can't remember when it last snowed. Mrs. Jones It snowed in April two years ago. It was Easter week; I remember it well. Mrs. Smith

Oh yes! So it did. It must have been the second week in April — my sister from Scotland was here at the time.

Mrs. Jones

What about the fire at the Williams' house last Saturday! Did you see it?

Mrs. Smith

Yes. Terrible, wasn't it? The fire-engine woke me up at about three in the

morning. They were lucky the whole house didn't burn down. Their living-room was in an awful mess next morning. Mrs. Jones Well, it serves them right. They were throwing another of those wild parties, weren't they? They must have been blind drunk; they should have been more careful. Mrs. Smith You know, I think they may have set fire to the place on purpose — just to claim new furniture and carpets from the insurance company. Mrs. Jones I wouldn't be surprised at anything they did. I've always been suspicious of them, and the longer I know them the more I dislike them.. I'm glad I didn't go to their party. Mrs. Smith Why didn't you go, Mrs. Jones? Mrs. Jones Well we weren't invited actually, but I had to go to my sister's that evening anyway. Mrs. Smith

We weren't invited either. I suspect that the longer they live here the less they like us too, Mrs. Jones.

Find the Culprit Fielding Hello, Charles. I hear you had a bit of a fire after the party last week. Was there much damage? Williams Well, fortunately we managed to confine all the damage to the one room, so it wasn't too bad really. The carpets and curtains were ruined, and the walls and ceiling were blackened by smoke, so we had to redecorate the room completely. Fielding It must have been a cigarette-end, I suppose. Williams Yes, that's for sure. Someone must have dropped a cigarette on the carpet near the big window, and after we'd gone the curtains caught fire. We ought to have checked everything before going to bed, I know, but we were so tired we decided to clear up in the morning. We shouldn't have left the windows open either. Fielding Have you any idea who the culprit was? it was very careless of someone. Williams It might have been Ted Redman. He's a chain-smoker and he'd had one or two too many.

Fielding It can't have been me anyway; I'm a non-smoker. But it may well have been old Bill Coleman. The more I think about it, the more I feel sure that he was standing by that window most of the time towards the end of the party. Williams So he was! And he's a careless sort of chap — he flicks his cigarette ash all over the place. And the more he drinks the worse he gets. Fielding Still, you can't very well accuse him of it — it could have been anyone. Williams True. Besides, I can't complain; our room was repainted at the insurance company's expense. Topic: Flats in the Clouds Blocks of "high-rise" flats have been erected in large numbers in London and in many other big cities. Just after the Second World War these immense twenty-to-thirty storey buildings, hundreds of feet in height, were thought to be the ideal solution to the dual problem of acute housing shortage and lack of space in urban areas. At first, the ultra modern apartments were much sought after by city-dwellers, and hundreds of the vast blocks had been built before anyone began to doubt that they were suitable places for people, children especially, to live in. A well known British architect, who personally designed many of these buildings, now believes that they may well have inflicted a great deal of suffering on those people who have been housed in them, and evidence been amassed by sociologists which suggests that severe loneliness and deep depression are brought about by life within these great towers. Some psychologists even maintain that an unduly large proportion of their inhabitants suffer from mental disorders .mil develop criminal tendencies. As a result of the recent queries, plans for new high-rise blocks are being scrapped. They are going to be replaced by so-called "low rise" blocks, at most six storeys high.

The New Pool ANDY: Have they finished work on your new swimming-pool yet, Charles? When I passed by yesterday, it was being filled with water, wasn't it? CHARLES: That's right. We had our first swim in it this morning. The concrete path around it is going to be widened, but everything will have been completed before the end of the week. ANDY: You must be pleased. How long is it? CHARLES: It's only feet long and 15 feet wide, but that's big enough to cool down in, isn't it? ANDY: And to get a spot of exercise in. If you normally swim twenty lengths in a big pool, you can get the same benefit if you swim up and down forty or fifty times in a small one, can't you? CHARLES: Yes, but I'm hardly aiming at getting into the Olympic team, am I? ANDY: How deep is it? You can't dive into it, can you? CHARLES: Oh yes you can! It's eight feet in depth at one end. The diving-board will be installed tomorrow. By the way, we're holding a swimming party on Sunday, if it's not too cold. You will come, won't you? ANDY: I'd love to come, but I'm not much of a swimmer, and I can barely dive at all. I'll probably drown. CHARLES: Well, I'm hardly the world's best swimmer myself. Anyway there'll be plenty to drink. ANDY: Good. I'd rather drown in beer than in water.

Out of Luck Bill I suppose you heard about that great chunk of concrete falling onto a car in South Street yesterday, didn't you, Ted? Ted Yes, I saw it in the paper. From a two hundred and fifty foot high building, wasn't it? I gather the driver had just got out or he'd have been killed, wouldn't he? Bill Oh yes. I saw the car; it was a complete wreck. Ted You usually park your car around there, don't you, Bill? Bill Yes, I left it in that very spot a couple of days ago, but yesterday it was parked up the road a bit. Ted You were in luck then, weren't you. Bill? Bill Out of luck, you mean! I'd be very pleased if my old car were smashed to bits. I could claim from the insurance company then, couldn't I? Ted But you used to be so proud of your car, didn't you. Bill? Bill I used to be years ago, but now there are all sorts of repairs to be done, and I just haven't got enough spare cash to put it right.

Ted You can always sell it, can't you. Bill? Bill Few people are stupid enough to buy a car in that state, are they? Ted The chap whose car was crushed yesterday was very annoyed about it. He'll be given a new car by the builders, though. Bill Yes, but his car was a specially-built model that can't be replaced, and there was hardly anything wrong with it, was there? Ted Well, that's life! When people actually want to get rid of their cars, this sort of thing seldom happens, does it? A Formal Complaint 16 Manor Road, Harpole, Hants. 22nd January The Sales Manager, Sparks Electrical Suppliers Ltd., 13 South Street, Southampton. Dear Sir, On Tuesday you sent one of your fitters to install the dish-washing machine we purchased from your company recently. Although you had assured us that we would not have to pay extra for Installation, your workman told us that we had to have a new tap and various electrical fittings before he could connect the machine up. Naturally we had to take his word for it, and we told him to carry out the necessary work. The bill he presented us with afterwards seemed exorbitant, so we went through it and checked the prices of the items. We found that elsewhere the identical articles were little more than half the price he had charged us. Moreover, we have since discovered that we need not have had a new tap at all. We trust, therefore, that at your earliest convenience you will send another man to exchange the new tap for the old one again. We also hope that, after examining the enclosed bill carefully, you will see fit to reduce the prices considerably, as well as to deduct the price of the new tap. Yours faithfully, Mrs. C. Jones

Garages TED: Did you take your car to Greenham's garage to be repaired. Bill? BILL: Yes, the day before yesterday. It's in good shape again now. Apparently, I needn't have worried about that terrible rattling noise underneath. It was only a loose wire and they fixed it in two minutes flat. TED: Was there anything else wrong? BILL: Oh yes. They found about a dozen other things that needed replacing. TED: That's always the way. You take the car in for one reason and they find that everything else is wrong. In the end you pay twice as much as you bargained for. But at least Greenham's people are fast workers. BILL: Yes, thank goodness! We had to go to Birmingham yesterday and I thought I'd have to hire a car or borrow someone else's, but my own car was ready in time, so I didn't need to hire one after all. TED: Of course, Greenham may be fast, but he's expensive too. I didn't have to go to him, of course. I think I'll try somewhere else next time something goes wrong. BILL: It doesn't matter where else you try. All garages are expensive these days. You just have to pay up. There's nothing else you can do. TED: And sometimes you can't even be sure that they've done the job you've asked them to do. Last year I had to take my car into a garage in Brighton for an emergency repair, and I wasn't even allowed to stand in the repair shop and watch while they did it. Union rules or something. BILL: Well, they probably didn't want you to see how simple the job was before they gave you the hill. Text Three A Flying Visit Mum Mike

Hello, Mike. Did you enjoy the weekend in Paris? Yes, it was great. Mum. Look, I've brought you back some wine, and here are some

cigarettes for Dad. Mum Mike

Thank you, dear. That's lovely. But you needn't have gone to that expenses. Well, I don't often buy you presents, but I don't often go to Paris either.

Mum Tell me about it. What did you do with yourself? Mike Well, we had quite a good flight, and we got to the hotel at about seven o'clock. We had a super dinner, and then Clive, Tim and I went to a night-club. Mum Didn't anyone else go with you? Mike No, no one else wanted to come. All the others were too tired. Then on Saturday morning we did some shopping, and of course we watched the international r rugby match in the afternoon. The match was drawn, but England were lucky not to lose. Mum

Where else did you go? Didn't you look round the Louvre?

Mike

Yes, but it was a lightning visit. And we went up the Eiffel Tower too, of course.

But we didn't have time for much else. We were told we were not to be late for check-in at the airport and we had to rush like mad. When we got there, though, we found we needn't have hurried because take-off had been delayed for an hour. Mum

What else did you buy then?

Mike

Let me see.... A few souvenirs, some postcards, a bottle of perfume for Janet....

Nothing much else because I ran out of money. By the way, can you pounds until next week. Mum? Mum: So that’s the price of my French wine, is it?

i lend me a couple of

A Helpful Neighbour Williams I've just brought your ladder back, Mr. Fielding. Thanks for lending it to me. Where shall I leave it? Fielding Just lean it against the wall there. How are you settling down in the new house? Williams Oh, fine, thanks. All the neighbours have been very kind. We think we'll be very happy here. Fielding I'm sure you'll soon feel at home. Use the ladder again any time. Williams Thanks... Er... Do you mind if I borrow one of your drills? Fielding There are all my drills. Which one do you want? Williams Any one will do. I only want to drill some holes in the wall to put up some shelves. Fielding Well, take the electric one. It bores holes through anything. Williams How does it work? I don't want to ruin it. Fielding It's child's play. Anyone can use it. You just plug it in and press this switch; release the switch and it stops again. Williams I'll need some long screws as well. They're out of stock at Smith's hardware stores. Do you know where I can buy some? Fielding Try Thorne's in Paul Street; you can usually find anything you want there... Hang on a minute though; I've got lots of crews in that tin there. Help yourself if there are any the right size. Williams That's very generous of you, Mr. Fielding. Thank you very much. Fielding You're welcome, Mr. Williams. Always glad to oblige a neighbour. The Commuter Jane

How are things, Ron?

Ron

Not bad, Jane. I'm involved in too many problems and it's a long working day, but

I'm used to that, so it doesn't bother me too much. Jane

How do you like commuting to London every day? Don't you find it a strain?

Ron

It was ghastly at first - especially getting up before dawn to catch that 6.30 train.

But it's bearable now that I'm used to it. Jane

Don't you think it's an awful waste of time? I couldn't bear to spend three hours

sitting in a train every day. Ron

I used to feel the same as you, but now I quite enjoy it.

Jane How do you pass the time? Ron In the morning I just sit in comfort and read the papers to catch up with the news; on the way home at night I relax with a good book, or have a nap, chat with friends or even have a game of bridge. Jane I suppose you know lots of people on the train now.

Ron Yes, I bump into someone I know on the platform every day. Last week I came across a couple of old school friends and we spent the entire journey in tin-bar. Jane It sounds like a good club. You never know, I may join it! Service, please Mike

Mum, I'm in a terrible hurry. Can I have my lunch right away? We're going to

Shaldon for a game of golf. The boys are picking me up at one o'clock, and I've promised to be ready on time. Gosh, it's twenty to one already! Is that clock right? Mum No, it's ten minutes fast. It's not quite half past twelve yet. But it doesn't make any difference — I've just put our lunch in the oven and it won't be ready for more than half an hour. Mike Mmm! ft smells marvellous! Is it ham and egg pie? I can't wait for that now though. Put some by for me and I'll have it this evening. What can I have straight away? I'm starving. Mum I can make you a mushroom omelette in five minutes or you can have what's left of this pork pie. It looks a bit stale, though — try a bit first. Mike It doesn't taste too bad. I'll have this with some cheese and tomatoes. It's not much of a lunch but at least I'll be ready in time. Mum

I'm used to your racing in and out and expecting a meal within five minutes, but

this is not a restaurant with a 24 hour service and I'm not a magician. You just have to take pot luck, if you can't make your arrangements in advance and give me some warning of your movements. Mike

Well, it's a rotten restaurant and I'm going to complain to the manager. If I die of

food poisoning, they’ll put you in prison for years.

The Season of Change Mrs.Smith Good evening, Mrs. Jones. It's become quite chilly all of a sudden, hasn't it? Mrs. Jones Yes, I think the summer is over at last and winter’s on the way. Mrs. Smith The nights are certainly drawing in. It gets dark soon after tea-time now. I suppose we'll be lighting the fires again in a few weeks. Mrs. Jones I'm really looking forward to sitting by a blazing coal fire again. I don't mind the winter nights as long as the house is cosy and warm, and I adore the crisp, fresh autumn air. Mrs. Smith So do 1. I much prefer autumn and winter to summer. I can't stand the heat. Do you remember that heat-wave we had in July? It got so hot that I couldn't go to sleep at night and the milk turned sour before you could put it in the fridge. Mrs. Jones I used to love the summer, but now I'm growing older I like it less and less. Mrs. Smith Well, we're all getting older; there's no doubt about that. The summers seem to flash past faster and faster every year. Mrs. Jones Have you noticed the old oak trees in the lane? The leaves have turned yellow already. They look quite beautiful. Mrs. Smith When the leaves change colour, everyone says how beautiful they look. My hair was yellow once and now it's going grey, but no one says it looks beautiful any more. Mrs. Jones Never mind, Mrs. Smith. The trees will be losing their leaves in a few weeks. At least you aren't going bald. IT'S OPEN HOUSE AT THE MANOR It could be a sequel to To the Manor Born - To the Manor Draws, perhaps. For years Nicky Mander coveted Owlpen Manor, a Tudor pile standing in a remote valley under the edge of the Cotswolds, its 200 acres of pasture, meadowland and an enclosed formal garden flanked by beech woods and yews. He often fantasised about living there. It is dream that came true more than two decades ago when the estate came on to the market and Nicky raised the money to buy it. Since then it has been home to Nicky, son of Sir Charles Mander and heir to his baronetcy, his Swedish wife Karin and their five children, all born at Owlpen. For the past two years that space and the magnificent house has been shared with the public. These days parties of visitors gaze upon the antiques, furniture, painted cloths and Arts and Crafts pieces. Opening

Owlpen as a commercial concern was 'absolutely essential,' says Karin very firmly. 'If we wanted to go on living here we had to make it pay.' Nicky, whose passion for the place led him to study its history in depth and write a detailed booklet about the estate, has more sentiment in his interpretation: This is a wonderful historic site with architecture from different times. It went through a Sleeping Beauty period when it was left, overgrown with ivy, huge trees falling down, and the place crumbling. That's how ft was until 1925 when Norman Jewson, a latter-day Arts and Crafts architect, came and pulled it back to good shape. So it is that on a day of washed blue sides and sudden vivid sunshine, Nicky and Karin walk me around the house and cottages and an old mill, which they have converted into holiday accommodation, past the medieval Church of the Holy Cross, and on to the Queen Anne and Georgian gardens and the flowerbeds of the Tudor enclosure, described by Sir Geoffrey Jefficoe as possibly the earliest domestic garden in England to survive intact. In summer they serve cream teas on the lawns overlooking the valley and the children, when they are home, help with this. They are also conscripted as wine waiters in the restaurant opened recently in a converted barn, where Karin prepares Swedish and European dishes. This often means, she says, 'sitting up until the small hours poring over recipe books then working out how to interpret the dishes. Everything is made here, down to the ice-cream and stock for the soups. I never use a bouillon cube.' The Manders waited until four of the children were at school before 'going public', as Nicky puts it. But Fabian was still only five and, Karin remembers, 'He couldn't understand why I got uptight when he opened the kitchen door on to the hall when a coachload was coming in, or why other children used his slide. On his birthday, which is at Easter, he had to sit in the ticket office with me, opening his presents. 'It was 100 per cent disruption of family life at first, and even now we are working every day of the week. But the children really enjoy it. They have become very self-sufficient and they get paid - although not very much -when they help or act as guides.' It is a tiring business and last year, Karin recalls, she and Nicky derided it was a holiday or bust. They went to Sweden for a week, leaving the children in charge. She says, 'We did feel more than a little nervous but they were wonderful.' 'The great thing was the children coped in their own way and didn't ring us the whole week.' Even when they are there, things do not always go according to plan. Giving Nicky an old-fashioned look, Karin recalls the time Nicky was showing people around the top of the house where the family quarters are. 'I'd gone to our bedroom to change. I was stark naked in the

middle of the room when in walks Nick, followed by eight people. I dived behind the four-poster and shouted, "Get out!" I suspect those guests are not ones who return regularly.' And now the afternoon is drawing down, Karin and Nicky move from the garden to the family kitchen with its long wooden table. They open a bottle of wine, clink glasses and consider 'Sometimes we wonder what we've taken on, but people seem to be enthusiastic. It means we can live here and we can't think of a nicer way to earn a living.' Angela Neustatter

MAKE YOUR MOVE ON A LAIR IN EIRE With the Irish market beginning to pick up, sow is the time to buy the stately pile of your dreams, says Simon Court As a property market, Ireland tends not to be considered in two parts - a republic and a comer of the United Kingdom - but as one island. As far as non-Irish buyers are concerned, the troubles in the North seem also to have had a negative effect on house prices in the South. But since the IRA cease-fire last year, the country-house market in Ireland has begun to move again. Improving prospects for a durable peace in Northern Ireland appear to have persuaded outsiders that it is now less risky to own property in the republic - and, given the strength of the Anglo-Irish agreement, somehow more acceptable. No political motives govern the decision of the Catholic Irish peer. Lord Hemphill, to sell his house in County Galway. However, the timing should work to his advantage. Raford House, between Athenry and Ballinasloe, is mid-ISth-century, on three floors, and surrounded by parkland, good cattle pasture and dry-stone walls. Attributed to the portrait painter and architect, Francis Bindon, the grey stone building has a most attractive tripartite doorway surmounted by a Diocletian window, with an ox-eye window above it. From a balustraded terrace, the garden runs down to the fast-flowing River Raford with woodland beyond. Both the hall and minstrels' gallery above have outstanding plasterwork, featuring stags' heads, urns, grapes and trumpets. The door frames have distinctive panel work, and 19th-century scenes from the Punches-town racing festival adorn the walls. All the ground-floor rooms have high ceilings, while the extensive basement has large rooms for boots, billiards and boilers, all with vaulted ceilings. Eight bedrooms and five bathrooms make for a substantial and well-modernised house.

There is a large, two-storey stableyard, where Lady Hemphill keeps Connemara ponies - of which she is one of the world's leading breeders - plus coach-houses, cottage and 35 acres of railed pasture. Sotheby's International Realty is asking IR£800,000 (£830,000). In 1982 Lord Hemphill moved out of his Galway family seat, Tulira Castle, near Gort; having passed through several American hands, it is now on the market again. This magnificent castellated and turreted house was built on to the medieval castle tower in 1882. The building was commissioned by Edward Martyn, a playwright and leading figure in the Irish literary and artistic revival, who pioneered the Abbey Theatre with W.B. Yeats and started a studio for making Irish stained glass. Martyn lived in spartan conditions in the old tower but would play the organ in his great Gothic hall. Lord Hemphill is descended from this eccentric Irish character. Recent restoration has been a great success, highlighting the huge marble and carved stone fireplaces, the Irish stained glass and the ceilings, some painted by William Morris, others of inlaid wood. The recessed comers are formed from the castle turrets. Tulira is set in landscaped grounds, including formal gardens and a lake. There is a large area of stabling and farm buildings, and also 150 acres of arable land and forest. In the hope of attracting another American buyer, Sotheby's International Realty has put the asking price at $3 million (£1.95 million), which includes most of the furniture. If County Galway should be thought a bit remote, it does have the distinct advantages of excellent woodcock and snipe shooting, famous hunting country (which may not be available in England for much longer) and some of the best oysters in Europe. Much nearer to Dublin (30 minutes from the airport), a Polish count, Vincent Poklewski Koziell, is selling his Georgian house near Celbridge, County Kildare. Stacumny House is on three storeys and has a pretty, bow-fronted wing facing the garden. There is plenty of ornate comicing, a fine curved staircase and several Adam mantelpieces. With eight bedrooms, six acres of grounds, including kitchen, garden and orchard, tennis court, and a gate lodge and mews cottage, this is essentially a family house. The asking price is IR£650,000 (£680^000), through Keane Mahony Smith/Hassett. On the beautiful Howth peninsula, overlooking Dublin Bay, Drumleck is close to the cliffs, with nine acres of garden leading down to the sea. If it appears to be overpriced at IR£1.5 million.. (£1.56 million), through Lisney, it does have a stunning position, a semi-tropical garden, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and large rooms. Though built in 1847, Drumleck is late-Georgian in style. Also of the same period, and rather more recognisabiy lateGeorgian, is Newstown House, 50 miles south of Dublin in County Carlow. It has an imposing pillared porch, large hall with barrel-vaulted

ceiling and stained-glass window, and good-sized rooms which have been recently decorated. The agents, Patrick G. Dawson/Jackson-Stops & McCabe, are inviting offers around IR£600,000 (£625,000). The Dublin businessman who is selling the house has installed eight garages with radio-controlled doors and a helicopter garage in what used to be an indoor riding arena.

HEARTBREAK HOUSE The brother of Lucy PhilUps, chatelaine of the magnificent Luton Hoo which went up for sale at £25 million yesterday, has spoken of his sister's courageous battle to keep the stately home for her children. Since the suicide of her husband Nicky Phillips six years ago, Lucy has fought against mounting debts, but has finally had to admit defeat. From his home in Munich, her brother, the Count Jaromfa" Czemin, said: 'Lucy has been fighting to keep Luton Hoo because she loved her husband and adores her children. 'You will see she has not been flattened by these terrible things which have happened to her. If she sat around feeling only sadness, nothing would be gained. 'Lucy is a fighter, and we have been taught to conquer adversity. She has done her best. She has been following both an ancient English tradition and her personal obligation to Nicky and his family, which is romantic and heroic. If Lucy has had to sell off some of the art, she has not wanted to do so by choice. She has had to keep the house open to the public, and it is not fun having people tramping through your dining room. 'She has been well trained to deal with the tragic situation she now finds herself in. As a family, we help each other. Lucy is an independent and capable woman. She has earned her own money all her life, at least until she married Nicky.' The enormous financial pressure that 56-year-old Lucy, born Countess Lucia Maria Czemin in Austria, has been under came to a head two months ago. Pictures owned by her late husband and his grandfather Sir Harold Wemher were sold at Christie's in a final attempt to meet claims from two Scandinavian banks for more than £20 million. Charming The debts had resulted from an attempt by her husband to set up a business park in the beautiful grounds of the Bedfordshire estate. The sales did not raise enough money.

The Count added: It is hard to understand how Nicky could have found himself in such a terrible situation with the debts. He knew a lot about banking and investment, having trained at Lazard Freres in Paris, which is where he met Lucy. 'But many people have been caught out by sudden switches in interest rates, by crashes, by the situation with Lloyd's of London. Nicky was charming, not ostentatious. He had a lot of money, but he did not throw it around.' It was one of the things which drew him and Lucy together. Lucy had never spent money on flashy designer clothes, she has never had fur coats, she does not buy jewellery.' Couture 'When she lived in Paris she worked in fashion, even though she did not wear couture dresses. She had so many friends there we wondered why she would leave and move to England, where she knew no one. But then she fell in love.' Mr Phillips inherited Luton Hoo from Sir Harold, a diamond magnate, but lived with his family in the lodge house The Gables. Built in 1767 by Sir Robert Adam, the house sits in 1,500 acres of parkland with a lake landscaped by Capability Brown. It boasts a ball-room, marbled dining room, 144 ft library, a spectacular Russian chapel and numerous other houses, cottages and lodges. The Queen and Prince Philip spent their wedding night and many anniversaries there. Lucy will now leave the estate completely. The priceless Wemher Art Collection will be moved intact from the house to a new location, which is being sought. Building Strategies A PLACE OF MY OWN

When Rod first started his job in Westen, he stayed in the factory hostel. The hostel only served breakfast, so Rod had lunch in the canteen at work. When he finished word, he usually went to a cheap self-service restaurant for his evening meal. He didn’t enjoy living in hostel very much, so he decided to find a flat to rent. He soon found one just outside Bristol. It was quite a big flat on the top floor of the house owned by Joan and Norman Ingrams. Because the rent was more than he could afford, and there were two bedrooms, Rod decided to find someone to share the flat with hiim. One morning he put an advertisement in the local newsagent’s window.

The same day, a young student called Paul Blake went to the newsagent to buy a paper. When he saw the advertisement, he telephoned Rod immediately and asked permission to come and see the flat. Advertisement: Stidio Flat To Share Large, sunny flat, on upper floor of house, just outside Bristol on Eastern side of city near industrial estate. £ 12 weekly share household bills/ own bedroom gas central heating/suitable for students Tel. Rod Nelson 367594 Paul saw the advertisement and he telephoned Rod immediately. Listen and reproduce their dialogue: Now listen to an extended version of the telephon conversation between Rod and Paul and say whether the statements below are true or false: 1. Not all the rooms are on the same floor. 2. Paul is a student at a polytechnic. 3. He studies electrical engineering and maths. 4. He decided to go and see the flat on Saterday afternoon. 5. The address is 57 London Road. 6. Paul will need two keys. 7. The Ingrams do not live in the house.

Turning point Finding a Flat Read the text and the dialogues that follow and get ready to describe what kind of flat you would like to live in. These are some of the things you might consider: a) district or area b) distance from your work c) if it is convenient for transport d) what rooms you would need and how many e) the kind of neighbours you would have f) whether you could do everything you liked or not g) how much rent you would have to pay h) whether you want furnished or unfurnished accommodation i) the kind of furniture, equipment, heating and lighting you would prefer This week Arthur and Mary are staying at a flat which belongs to Richard and Cathy Steele. They are away in Italy for a couple of weeks. Richard is the son of Arthur amd Mary’s old boss. They will be back on Saturday so Arthur and Mary have to find the their own flat very quickly. This is quite a problem for them because furnished flats in London are not only difficult to find but they are nearly always very expensive. Flats are usually advertised in the local paper and in the London evening papers in the Classified Advertisements section. Arthur and Mary are looking under Furnished flats to let. They hope to find a self-contained flat with its own entrance, on bedroom, one living-room and a kitchen and bathroom. They would prefer to be situated close to a tube station and near a shopping centre. Arthur does not want to be too far from the Polytechnic as fares in London are very expensive especially for students and people with low-paid jobs. Arthur used to have an old car when he was in Middleford but he has sold it now. It is impossible to find anywhere to park in London so that nearly everybody travels by tube or by bus. From the Evening Clarion

Furnished flats to let (25p per lin. Min. 3 lines.)

Luxury furnished penthouse. Mayfair, 2 beds.1 recep. kit., lux.bath,. sep W.C., c.htg,. £ 65 pw. Ring 746 7847.

Part.furnished maisonette, S.E. London. Close Tube, buses and shops. 3rd floor, 1 bed, 1 recep. Share kit. & bath. Regret no children. £ 10 pw. Ring Mrs Briggs 899 5810 after 6 pm. Groud floor furn. Flat, Easy reach Hounslow E. Tube, 2 beds, 1 recep. kit., bath. Self Contained. Use of Garden. Everything provided incl. Crockery, cutlery, all bed-linen. Long let preferred.

Applly passfield & co., estate agents 23 High Street, Hounslow. 896 0952

Flat over shop to let Fully furn. Incl. Fridge, cooker, 1 room, kit. & bath. No children or pets. £ 12 pw, 532 7058 (Battersea).

Read the dialogues below and reproduce them. Dialogue 1 Arthur: Hm, this one doesn’t look too bad from the outside, does it, darling? Mary: No, it’s certainly better than that awful one we went to this morning. And it’s nearer the shops too. Arthur: it’s about time we found something decent. I’m fed up with flat hunting. Do you realize this is the eighth flat we’ve looked at in three days? Mary: I know, love. Never mind, though. We’ve bound to find something in the end. Arthur: The trouble is the only decent ones we’ve seen are too pricey. I only wish we had a bit more money. Mary: Well, come on. It’s no good hanging about. Let’s ring the bell and get it over with. Lady: Yes? Arthur: Good afternoon. We’ve come about the flat. Lady: Oh yes. It’s Mr and Mrs Newton, isn’t it? Well, the entrance is round the corner at the side of the house. If you’d like to go round, I’ll just go and get the key. Arthur: Hm, the entrance is a bit squalid, isn’t kit? Thatdoor could do with a coat of paint for a start. Come to think of it, it’s time the whole outside was done up. I hate to think what the inside ‘s like. Mary: Shsh! She’s coming. Lady: Now be careful going up the stairs. The carpet’s a bit loose. I’m afraid the flat needs doing up a bit. You see, the last tenants were students and they didn’t take much care of the place. Arthur: Mm, yes. There’s just one bedroom and a livingroom, isn’t there? Lady: Yes, that’s right. It’s through here. There are two single beds in at the moment but I could change them for a double one. Mary: I see. Is this the kitchen on the right here? Lady: Yes, I wish it were a bit bigger for you but there it is. I think it’s got everything. The pots and pans are in this cupboard. The crockery and cutlery are in that dresser. Arthur: What about the living-room? Lady: Yes, that’s back here on the left. This is the bathroom, by the

way. I’vejust had a new immersion heater put in. Here’s the livingroom. It’s a nice room though it does need doing up. The carpet’s a bit old too. I wish I could give you a better one but I can’t at the moment. Mary: Mm, yes, it is a nice room. What do you think Arthur? Lady: Well, I’ll leave you to think about it if you like. It’s time I got my husband’s dinner ready, anyway. I’ll be downstas when you want me. Arthur: Well, it’s quite cheap and we could do things to it, I suppose. Mary: Yes, and it’s in quite a good neighbouhood. I like it, Arthur. Let’s take it. Arthur: Yes, it’s no good going on looking at hundreds of flats. Let’s go and tell her. Dialogue 2. Landlady: Yes? Mr A: Good afternoon. I’ve come about the flat. Has it been taken yet? Landlady: No, it’s not been taken yet. Are you the person who telephoned this morning? Mr A: Yes, that’s right. You told me to come at three o’clock. I’m a little bit early actually. Landlady: Yes, I thought I recognized your voice. It’s shocking weather, isn’t it? Shall I take your coat and umbrella? Mr A: Ah, thanks very much. Landlady: Now. This is the kitchen. Mr A: Oh yes, it’s quite a good size. Have you got a fridge, by the way? Landlady: No, there isn’t a fridge, I’m afraid. Mr A: Would you be supplying pots and pans and cutlery and crockery? Landlady: Oh yes, these are the saucepans in this cupboard and you can seethe cutlery in this drawer and the top cupboard’s full of crockery. Mr A: Oh yes, I see. Yes, there’d be quite enough here, I’m sure. You didn’t mention the bathroom in your advertisement. Is there one? Landlady: No, I’m sorry. There isn’t one. The last people who were here used to wash in the kitchen.

Read the text and discuss advantages of living in a house. Speak from your experience of living in a flat/a house. Living in a flat is sometimes not very peaceful. Some friends of mine have just moved into one where there is a couple upstairs who have loud arguments at two o’clock in the morning. Sometimes they even throw crockery at each other. There’s an old lady across the hall who has several cats. Nobody is quite sure how many but twenty-two is what the man downstairs says. Sometimes my friends get hardly any sleep at all. Complete this passage in your own words. If I had to move to a strange town, I … … … a flat. If I were getting a new job there I … … my new employer if he …… …… a reasonable one. If he didn’t happen to know any, I … … … the local newspaper or … … a local house agent. If I … unsuccessful at first, I … … with friends … a few weeks until I … … . Unit 2. The domestic budget Read the text and highlight the words related to the tpoic. Get ready to discuss the problems of budgeting. A few days later Arthur and Mary moved into their new flat. They spent the first week settling in. The flat had been left in rather a filthy state – the carpets were stained. the paintwork was covered in dirt and there were rather a lot o cobwebs in the corners. Both Arthur and Mary worked very hard. Arthur didn’t enjoy cleaning very much but Mary insisted on his helping. By the end of the first week the flat was spick and span; the paintwork was gleaming and you could actually see the colours of the living-room carpet. They had to spend quite a lot of money getting one or two things that were not provided such as a bathmat, an alarm clock, reading lamps and a mumber of extra kitchen utensils. One Saturday morning several weeks later Arthur found several letters on his doormat. All but one were in buff coloured envelopes. This meant only one thing – bills! Arthur sat down to breakfast with rather a long face as he opened them on after the other. The first was the electricity bill – over twenty pounds; the secondwas the final demand for the telephone – thirteen pounds. Mary had been making many long distance phone calls to her parents in Middleford. If she hadn't made these calls the bill would have been much

smaller. The third was from the local corner shop where Mary had been running up a bill for groceries. Luckily there was no gas bill as there was a coin meter for gas in the flat. The fact was that Arthur had only enough money left in his bank account for two of the bills and Mary had already spent half her week's wages on Friday night. There had been a sale at one of the department stores in Kensington High Street and Mary had bought herself a new winter coat and had got three shirts and a pullover – at bargain prices – for Arthur. She had been very pleased with herself because she had saved such a lot of money on them, or so she said. If Mary had been there at that moment she wouldn'thave been pleased to hear Arthur's language but she had got up early and gone out shopping again. Arthur's bank manager has certain wiews about the financial responsibilities of young married couples. This is the kind of things he might say: One of the things that young people do not realize is the cost of living when you are running your own household. When a young couple have been married a few months they soon begin to understand the responsibilities they have taken upon themselves. In Britain a large proportion of a married couple's income goes on rent, heating and lighting. It is important for people to remembr that it is impossible to continue with the carefree spending habits they acquired when they were single and could spend their wages as they liked. Perhaps in many cases they would have been helped if guidance on the promlems of domestic budgeting had been given in their schools. Budgeting means working out what your commitments are every week or every month and allocating sums of money for each item of ependiture, putting that money aside for all the bills before they come. If possible it is a good idea to put some money aside for emergencies. Many couples take out a life assurance policy, which is a form of saving. Another way to save money is to put it into a building society. This is a good thing if you are saving to buy a house. Here are some extracts from a leaflet given out by the National Westminster Bank Ltd.

Budget Account How to cope with irregular bills on a regular income Bills get lonely very easily, so they like to arrive together. Bills have an unhappy talent for arriving in batches. Some months are worse than others.

If you’re on a regular salary, paying them can be quite difficult. Because, after all, you’ve got to keep some money in hand to live on.

This is what you do Make a list of all the household bills you expect to receive during the coming year. Add together rates, telephone, car expenses, gas and electricity as well as holidays. Christmas and any other annual expenses. Then divide the total by twelve. The National Westminster will arrange to transfer each on of those twelve instlments from your Current Account to a Budget Account every month. As the bills come in, write out a cheque for them.

It’s not a free service, but it can pay for itself. The only charge we make is £6 to cover the first £200 plus £1 for every £50 after that. This is all you pay even if your Budget Account runs temporarily into the red. A Budget Account can save you money. …

Word test a) b) c) d) e) f) g)

Don’t forget to wipe your feet on the … before you come in. Bills usually come in … coloured envelopes. C) I haven’t paid the grocer for ages. I’ve let the bill … … . These towels were much cheaper than usual; they were a … . Mary’s wages and Arthur’s grant make up their … . Every householder must pay … to the local authority. Methodical housewives write down each … of expenditure in a book. h) I must put some money … this month to pay for the gas bill net month.

Unit 2. Home decoration When Arthur had recovered from his illness, it was almost time for the Easter vacation. Mary had been complaining about the dirty walls and paintwork, especially in the kitchen. So Arthur in a rash moment volunteered to do out the kitchen and the living-room, which was almost

as bad as the kitchen. On the Saturday befor the Easter weekend, Arthur and Mary went to the local ’Do-it-yourself’shop. First Mary spent ages thumbing through the wallpaper catalogues in the shop while Arthur wandered around looking at all the power tools and other gadgets he wished he could afford. Eventually, Mary told Arthur she hadn’t seen anything she liked. Arthur was quite pleased about this as he didn’t really want to do any papering. He told Mary that he thought it was too difficult for him to do and that he would much rather paint the walls. He explained to her jthat the patterns on most wallpapers are a hard job to match. Mary was sensible enough to realize that painting is notso difficult as papering and that Arthur would be less likely to make a mess of it. That evening while Mary was preparing the evening meal, Arthur decided to pop across the road to the Ship and Shovel, were he had a quiet drink andtalked to some people he knew about his plans for decorating his flat. One of his friends, a man with an Irish accent called Paddy, knew of a shop in Ealing, a suburb in west London, that was going out of business and selling paint at bargain prices. Paddy offered to collect the paint in his van, since Arthur didn’t have a car, and deliver it as soon as he could. He said he would also bring hes overalls, in case Arthur needed any help. In the meantime Arthur started working on the kitchen. The walls and ceiling were rather dirty so first they had to be washed down thoroughly with a strong detergent. This together with the job of filling the holes and cracks in the wall surface took up the time until Paddy was due to deliver the paint.

Text Thirty years ago not many people would have dreamed of doing the repairsand decorations in their own homes. In those days labour was fairly cheap and most people would have thought it worthwhile to employ a professionsl painter and decorator, unless of course they were either very hard up or were in the trade themselves. Today, however, it is quite a differnt story. Men andwomen in all walks of life turn their hands to all sorts of jobs round the house including painting, papering, putting up shelves and wall units, and tiling walls and floors. Some people with no professional training of any kind have even successfully built their own houses. These jobs have been made easier today by the introduction of prepared materials which require the minimum amount of skill to use. In every High Street throughout Britain nowadays there is at least one ‘Do-it-yourself’ shop containing a vast range of timber, tiles, paint, wallpapers and floor coverings besides tools of every description including power drills and many accessories. ‘Do-it-yourself’ is a

booming business; all these shops do a roaring trade and look like continuing to do so. Probably the main reason for the DIY craze is the high cost of present-day labour and the shortage of building firms willing to do small jobs.

New Dulux Carpet Squares give you wall to wall carpets that need never wear out New Dulux Carpet Squares bring lasting beauty to your home. To any room in your home. They come in handy 30cm squares (that’s about 1ft x 1ft). And they’re so easy to lay and to move around to suit your fancy. So easy to lay You need no professional help or advice. No underlleft, gluiing nailing or stitching. Only a sharp knife and a straight edgefor cutting squares to fit. And most floors need no special preparation. Every pack has clear, simple step-by-step instructions. Just follow them, butt the squares closely together, and you’vegot a ‘professional’ carpet laid in no time.

Decorating and home maintenance

Even wear

When decorating, making under floor repairs, re-wiring etc., all you have to do is move the Dulux Carpet Squares in the area where you want to work. Nothing could be easier. You also have the fleibility to change the design, or move them toanother room, ro from house to house when you move. There’s nothing else quite like Dulux Carpet Squares.

Because you can easily move Dulux Carpet Squares around the room, you just rotate them now and then to even out wear. Remember, when you replace a conventional fitted carpet, over half of it has been virtualy unused. That’s a lot of money to throw away. But with Dulux Carpet Squares – no problem, no waste! When you want wall-to-wall carpets that need never wear out … wall-to-wall carpets you design… here’s the answer.

Dialogue Mary: That’s the doorbell, Arthur! I expect it’s your friend with the paint.

Arthur: Can you let me in, please, Mary? I’m in the middle of filling these cracks in the wall here and the wretched stuff keeps falling out and what’s more my hands are covered in the stuff. Mary: So is the floor. All right, then, I’ll go. Paddy: Good morning, is Arthur in? Mary: It’s Paddy, is it? Paddy: Yes, that’s me. Mary: Well, do come in. Arthur’s been expecting you. He’s in the kitchen. Can I give you a hand with those cans of paint? Paddy: No, that’s all right. I can manage. Arthur: Oh hallo, Paddy. You’ve brought the paint, I see. Paddy: Yes, they had what you asded fro. Hey, what are you doing with that fitter? You’ve got as much of it on the floor as you have on the wall Arthur: Well, as fast as I put it in, it falls out again. I must be doing something wrong, I suppose. Paddy” Well, you’ve got it too wet, haven’t you? You can’t use it as wet as that. Arthur: All right. I’ll make it thicker and start again. But I’d better go and wash my hands first. Shan’t be a minute. Mary: What sort of paint have you bought, Paddy? Paddy: Well, there are four cans here. These two small ones are the gloss and the undercoat for your woodwork. There should be enough unless you decide to give it two coats and these two big ones are the emulsion for your walls and ceiling. I hope the coulour’s O.K. Mary: Yes, that’s the colour, all right. Arthur: Right, let’s try again. Mary: Arthur! You’ve trodden that stuff all over the sitting-room carpet. It’ll take me absolutely ages to get it all off. Paddy: Well, I think it’s time I was off. Mary: Well, I think I’ve managed to get the carpet clean at last. I’m just going to put some newspaper down in case you make any more mess. Arthur: Sorry again, but could you just give me a hand first? I’m ready to start painting. If you could just hand me up the paint tray and the roller when I get to the top of the steps. Mary: All right, but be careful. Arthur: Of course I’ll be careful. Now can I have the roller first? Thanks. And now the tray. Mary: Isn’t there rather a lot of paint in it? Arthur: No, I don’t think so. Mary: That roller, it looks a bit too wet to me. Arthur: No, it’s all right. I’ve watched my father do this a few times, you know, and he never spills a drop. There. That looks quite good.

Mary: But you’ve splashed paint allover my dress and on the floor. I’ll have to go and take it off and soak it before it dries. Oh dear! Arthur: Mary! The sitting-room carpet! There’s paint on your shoes! Oh no!

Dialogue In this dialogue you are talking to your flatmate (the person with whom you share your flat). Read the dialogue first and then speak your part. Flatmate: This kitchen ‘s getting very dirty. Can we afford to have it painted? You: Well, I don’t think we can afford to pay for somebody to do it but we could do it ourselves. Flatmate: Well, I’m sure I couldn’t do it. Could you do ii by yourself? You: I’ll have a try. It might not look as good as if we had a proper decorator in. But it would certainly be cheaper. Flatmate: Shall we go and get all the stuff then? Shall we have paper or paint on the walls? You: Well, we’ll have paint. I don’t think I’m clever enough to put paper up. Flatmate: Oh dear, I rather like paper for a kitchen. You: Well, if you want paper, someone else’ll have to do it. Flatmate: Paint it’ll have to be, then. What coulor do you fance? You: I’m not bothered myself. Tell you what. Let’s go down to the shop and see what colours they’ve got. Then we can choose something we like.

Text The worst room to decorate is always, for me at least, the kitchen. And the reason is that it is difficult enough to have someone trying to cook while you are painting even in a fairly large kitchen. But in one like ours, where you can hardly swing a cat, it is almost impossible. There arereally only two things you can do. One of them is to go without food until the decorating is finished and the other is to go out to a restourant for all your meals. The first is impossible and the second is expensive, so perhaps the best thing of all is not to decorate your kitchen.

Exercises

1. You are going to decorate your bedroom. Describe what you will do both before you start work and during the job itself. Write paragraphs on these topics: a) b) c) d) e)

what the room looks like now. what materials and colours you will choose. how you will prepare the room for decoration. how you will do the job. what it will look like when you have finished.

2. A friend calls to see you unexpectedly while you are in the middle of decorating your bedroom. He\she invites you to come out but you refuse politely. Write the dialogue that takes place between the two of you.