1

Home truths
Vocabulary: Homes Grammar: Past simple and past continuous; Speaking: Asking for Writing:
used to; Present perfect simple and past simple permission A description

VOCABULARY  Homes (adjectives)

I can  use adjectives for describing homes.

1 Read the article and answer the questions.

1 Why did Luke and Amy choose to live in a ‘skooly’?
2 Why is it important for the skooly to be organized?
3 Why do you think Amy says every day is ‘a new adventure’?

pi ew nte g
Tiny homes

co vi o in

or nly t
ed o n
e re e c ish

.
This week: Life on the road with Amy and Luke

ld
When you think of a school bus, you don’t usually
t b er pl bl

so
think of a place to live. But a converted school bus,
or a ‘skooly’, has to be the coolest home on wheels.
no ch m Pu

‘We didn’t feel ready to settle down and a ‘We use e-readers, tablets and laptops to
traditional home is expensive,’ says Luke. ‘A skooly save space,’ Amy says, ‘but we’ve also got a
was the perfect solution. They’re a lot cheaper and cupboard full of board games!’
nd

you can live and work anywhere.’ ‘Everything has to be organized, so we don’t
A ten metre-long school bus is, you guessed it, quite have too much stuff,’ adds Luke. ‘It’s easy to
m r ee o

narrow. But once you step inside, it feels a lot bigger make the place look cluttered. So, there are
plenty of cupboards for storage.’
sa
d fo fr m

and, with windows on both sides, it’s never gloomy.

Luke and Amy are both great at DIY and most
an is is ich

of their wooden furniture is re-purposed. They

even made the curtains from recycled material.
They live off-grid and get all their energy from
Th R

solar panels on the roof and a four-battery

a

power bank. At the back is an indoor space

ay te
©

with bikes, kayaking gear … and more

cupboards!
‘OK, so a skooly is kind of basic,’ says Luke,
‘but it’s nice and cosy.’
Amy agrees. ‘We love it! Every day is a new
adventure!’

2 Find words in bold in the article that mean: 4 Choose eight adjectives to describe things or
1 carefully arranged, ordered places in your home. Then tell your partner.
2 a small distance from side to side A: My bedroom is a bit gloomy.
3 comfortable and relaxing B: Why?
4 in the way things have been done for a long time A: It doesn’t get much sunlight.
5 simple; with only the necessary things
6 dark or poorly-lit
5 FIND OUT  What other kinds of tiny homes are
popular? Which one do you prefer? Why?
7 something which has been used before; reused
8 located inside
Now watch the vlog.
3 1.1  Match adjectives a–h with their opposites in
Exercise 2. Then listen, check and repeat.
FAST FINISHER
a light d up-to-date g brand-new
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in
b uncomfortable e outdoor h luxurious a skooly? Write sentences.
c wide f disorganized

LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127

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 Nomads in the 21st century G
c
READING  I can  identify the central theme.

1 Look at the picture. Read the title and first 4 Word Power   Find five adjectives in the article
paragraph of the article. What do you think the to describe shapes. Then make a list of more
article is about? shape adjectives.

2 1.2  Read and listen to the article and check 1

your ideas. Were you right?
N If you see a hat in Mongolia,
FU touch it! Hats are a sign of
don’t
3 Read the article again and answer the questions. good luck
and are treated with respec
1 What are the Mongolian steppes like? t. People
don’t put them on the ground
2 Why were horses so important to nomads? them or throw them away! , swap
3 Why are motorbikes widely used?
4 Why do nomads keep few possessions?

pi ew nte g
5 Which item of modern technology is the most 5 THINK CRITICALLY  Do you think the

co vi o in
popular? Why? traditional nomadic lifestyle (in Mongolia) can

or nly t
ed o n
6 What does Olly find magical about nomadic life? survive in the 21st century? Give reasons.

e re e c ish

.
ld
t b er pl bl

HI-TECH AND TRADITION IN MONGOLIA

so
no ch m Pu

2
nd

by Olly Martin
m r ee o

Outside Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, lies a was the fridge. When you carry your home with you,
sa
d fo fr m

landscape of rock and grass. For 1,000 km in any it’s important not to have many possessions!
direction, there are no trees or fences. With my
Our host’s daughter was cooking over a stove in
an is is ich

guide, Batbayar, we drove across these empty

the middle of the floor. We were talking when some
steppes in search of the Mongolians who still lead
friends arrived. Yurts are public places, always open
a nomadic life. Temperatures range from –30°C in
to guests. While we were all eating, two girls were
Th R

the winter to 25°C in the summer, so people move

a

playing games on mobile phones. Phones are also

with their homes and animals to cooler highlands
essential for keeping in touch with relatives in the
ay te
©

in the summer and warmer lowlands in the winter.

city. ‘How did they use to keep in touch before mobile
But what I wanted to know was how these people
phones?’ I wondered to myself.
were adapting to the 21st century.
However, the most common example of technology
When we arrived at a small community about 200 km isn’t mobile phones; it’s rectangular solar panels. 3
east of the capital, some men were riding motorbikes One panel can charge a phone or power an LED light
and herding their sheep and goats. Horses used to bulb. During the long winter nights, an indoor light
be at the centre of nomadic culture. They provided can be very comforting! Obviously, nomads didn’t
transport, meat and milk. These days the motorbike, use to have these things in the past, but they’re now
which is inexpensive to run, is king. essential survival tools.
An old man invited us into his traditional ger, or yurt, a While I was lying on my bed that night, I could hear
circular tent with a triangular roof and walls made from the wind blowing outside. I looked up through the
sheep’s wool. The single room, ten metres in diameter, round hole in the roof and saw the stars. I realized this
was cosy but hardly luxurious. There was no bathroom contact with nature is the magic of the nomadic life. 4
or running water and a square outdoor box

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 GRAMMAR  Past simple and past
continuous
used to
I can  talk about past habits and states.
1
I can  use the past simple and the past continuous.
5 Read the grammar box and complete the rules with
used to or use to.
Now watch the grammar animation.
Nomads used to live in bigger communities.
1 Read the grammar box and choose the correct They didn’t use to have up-to-date technology.
answers to complete the rules.
Did they use to have electricity?

I met my best friend while I was travelling. Rules

He called while I was having a shower.  e use 1… for affirmative sentences, didn’t 2… for
W
They were cooking when we arrived. negative sentences and did (you) 3… for questions.
While we were eating, the girls were chatting. We use used to for repeated actions and states in the

pi ew nte g
past. For repeated actions and states in the present, we
Rules

co vi o in
use Present simple.

or nly t
 e use the past continuous for a 1longer / shorter action
W

ed o n
e re e c ish
in the past, and the past simple for a 2longer / shorter 6 How was your life different ten years ago? Write

.
action that interrupts it. eight sentences with used to or didn’t use to.

ld
 e use the 3past simple / past continuous for two longer
W Choose from the verbs in the box.
t b er pl bl

so
actions in progress at the same time.
drink   ​eat   ​go to bed   ​have   ​like   ​listen to   ​
 ith the past continuous, we use while, but with the
W
no ch m Pu

live   ​play   ​
read   ​share   ​watch   ​ wear
past simple we use 4when / while.
I used to share a bedroom with my brother.
2 Complete the sentences with when or while and
nd

the correct form of the verb in brackets.

7 PRONUNCIATION  used to / use to
When we saw (see) the house, smoke was rising

m r ee o

(rise) from a hole in the roof. 1.3  Listen and repeat.

1 Our host … (get) a message on his phone … he
sa
d fo fr m

1 We used to live abroad.

… (show) us his new home. 2 We didn’t use to have a garden.
an is is ich

2 His son … (repair) his motorbike … his daughter 3 Did they use to read comics?
… (paint) a chair.
3 Where … Maya … (live) when she … (buy) her 8 Work in pairs. Ask questions using the verbs in
Th R

first car? Exercise 6. Are any of your experiences the same?

a

4 … she … (travel) across Asia, she … (not use)

A: Did you use to wear shorts to school?
ay te
©

her phone.
B: Yes, I did.
5 … Frank … (stay) in the countryside, he … (find)
a fox inside in his garage. A: Me too. They were horrible.

3 Read the Look! box. Can you add any other 9 Work in pairs. How were lives different 100–150
examples? years ago? Think about homes, entertainment,
communication, health, etc. Discuss what was
better or worse about life then.
Look! State verbs
We don’t usually use the continuous form
with state verbs, e.g. believe, know, need, own,
understand, want.

4 Make sentences about the problems Nora had while

she was moving home last week. Use when/while.
1 lock front door / key break
While she was locking the front door, the key broke.
2 call brother / phone run out of battery
3 move boxes / mirror fall out and break
4 fall off a chair / change a light bulb FAST FINISHER
5 cooker stop work / make dinner Write some of your answers to Exercise 9 using used to /
6 walk to school / see an accident didn’t use to.

LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127

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 A lot of stuff G
a
VOCABULARY and LISTENING  Homes (nouns)
I can  listen for the main ideas.

1 1.4  Look at the pictures and label the

things you see. Listen, check and repeat.

air conditioning   ​attic   ​
balcony   ​basement   ​ 1 1
central heating   ​fireplace   ​garage

1 … 5 …
2 … 6 …
3 … 7 …
4 …

pi ew nte g
3

co vi o in
2

or nly t
ed o n
e re e c ish

.
ld
4 5
t b er pl bl

so
no ch m Pu

6
7
nd
m r ee o
sa
d fo fr m

2 Work in pairs. Discuss which of the things in 4 1.6  Listen to the radio programme and tick (✓) the
an is is ich

Exercise 1 you have in your home. best summary.

Kristen and Benedict …
3 1.5  Complete the post with the words in
1 are living in American homes so they can find out
Th R

the box. Then listen and check.

a

what a typical house is like.

ay te

countryside   ​indoors   ​neighbourhood   ​ 2 are observing family life in American homes in a

©

outdoors   ​suburbs long-term study. 2

5 1.6  Listen again and number the information in the
order you hear it.
Hey, guys! We’ve just moved to the
small city of Lakeland in Florida, USA, a Family members leave personal items in the kitchen.
because my mum’s got a two-year b Families don’t often have a meal together.
contract here. It’s a bit of a culture c The kitchen is where people like to hang out.
shock after the UK, as we used to live d Some families keep food in the basement.
in the 1 …, miles from any shops. It was e Most young people don’t use the backyard.
just fields and cows! You see, we aren’t f Some families fill the garage with old things. 3
in the 2 … . No, we’ve rented a flat in g Families don’t spend much time outdoors.
downtown Lakeland, right near the city
h Children’s bedrooms are full of stuff.
centre. It’s a friendly 3 … with shops
and cafés and really cool people. We 6 Word Power   In American English, back garden is
can walk or cycle everywhere, too. backyard, and mobile phone is cell phone. Find out how
Lakeland has got some amazing lakes Americans say these words for things found in homes and
(no kidding!), so I don’t spend much buildings: wardrobe, lift, tap, flat, ground floor, rubbish bin.
time 4 … . You all know how much I
love hiking, so I’m always 5 …, just like 7 GET CREATIVE  Film a video tour of your home.
in the UK! Comment on the rooms and say what your family does
in each space.
Wie       
20 Comment      Share  
5 3

LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127

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 GRAMMAR  Present perfect simple
and past simple
1
I can  use the present perfect simple and the past simple 4 Write explanations for the following situations
with time expressions. using the present perfect simple and the words
in brackets.
Now watch the grammar animation. Leah says that she isn’t hungry. (already)
She has already had her lunch.
1 Read the grammar box and choose the correct 1 Harry’s hair is wet. (yet)
answers to complete the rules. 2 Chloe is smiling. She’s reading an email. (just)
3 Selina is opening a birthday present. It’s a blue
Present perfect simple dress. She looks disappointed. (already)
4 Max looks very pale. His hands are shaking. (just)
Have you ever been to Toronto?
5 Dylan is standing in a very messy kitchen. (yet)
No, I’ve never been to Toronto.

pi ew nte g
How long have you lived here? 5 1.7  Complete the blog post with the correct
form of the verb in brackets and the adverb in the

co vi o in
I’ve lived here for two months / since May.

or nly t
I’ve just moved house! correct place. Then listen and check.

ed o n
e re e c ish
I’ve already finished my homework.
Life is complicated

.
ld
I haven’t finished my homework yet.
Past simple
t b er pl bl

so
Have you ever lived (live / ever) in a house with other
I went to New York last summer.
friends? Well, mornings can be nightmares.
no ch m Pu

I bought a new phone a month ago.

How long did you live there? Charlie: Hey Mia, 1 … you … your breakfast … ?
I lived there for five years. (have / yet)
Mia: Sure. I 2 … it half an hour ago. (finish)
nd

Rules Charlie: So why aren’t you dressed?

We use the present perfect for past events that 1are / aren’t Mia: Because I 3 … shower … . (not have / yet) Layla
m r ee o

connected to the present. … in the bathroom … eight o’clock. (be / since)

sa
d fo fr m

We use the past simple for actions that

Charlie: Wow! She 4 … in there … 45 minutes! (be / for)
2
started / started and finished in the past, usually at a Mia: And I 5 … on the door five times. (bang / already)
an is is ich

specific time. Charlie: Hang on. I 6 … the bathroom door opening.

We usually use ever, never, since, just, yet and already with
(hear / just)
the 3present perfect / past simple. We use for and How (Layla comes into the kitchen in tears.
Th R

long? with both forms. Her hair is green!)

Oh, Layla! What 7 … you … ?
ay te

Mia:
©

2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of (do)

the verb in brackets. Layla: I 8 … a new hair dye
We’ve lived in this house since 2010. (live) yesterday, but it’s the wrong
1 I … my blog two years ago. (start) colour! (buy) I can’t get it out!
2 We … children playing outdoors yet. (not see)
3 … you ever … home? (move) 6 Make notes about something you:
4 I … just … painting my room. (finish)
1 have just done.
5 Gina … there for a year. She loved it! (work)
2 have already done this week.
3 Write six How long? questions using the present 3 haven’t done yet.
perfect simple with the correct form of the phrases 4 have never done, but you want to.
below. Then write your answers using for or since.
7 Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions about the
How long …? have your phone notes you made in Exercise 6. Use just, yet, already
and never in your answers.
live in your home know your best friend A: What have you just done?
B: I’ve just borrowed a pen from Rafael.

have your favourite item of clothing

FAST FINISHER
Write sentences about what your partner told you in
study English Exercise 7.
be at this school

A: How long have you lived in your home?

B: I’ve lived in our flat since 2016.
LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127
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 K EEP Rooms for rent S

TALK ING! READING and LISTENING

I can  understand and evaluate information.
1

1 Look at the webpage. Work in pairs. Answer the 3 Work in pairs. Imagine you are a student going
questions. to study in Dublin. What are the advantages and
1 What kind of website is this from? disadvantages about each home?
2 What do you think are the most important things to 4 1.8  Sam is a student going to Dublin. Listen to
consider when looking for a room to rent? the dialogue. Which home does he choose? Why?
2 Read the webpage on rooms to rent in Dublin and 5 Work in pairs. Which home would you choose from
answer the questions. Which room …

pi ew nte g
the webpage? Give reasons.
1 has its own bathroom?

co vi o in

or nly t
2 is the largest?

ed o n
e re e c ish
3 is closest to the city centre?

.
4 is the best to study in?

ld
t b er pl bl

so
Home from home Login/Register Post a room
no ch m Pu

2
A Super central flat n th
r mo
nd

I’ve got a small bedroom to rent in a brand-new city centre flat. pe

0
There’s air conditioning, central heating, lots of storage space €65
and wooden floors throughout. You can use the kitchen to cook.
m r ee o

I work from home, so I’m around most of the time. I love to chat
sa
d fo fr m

with my guests.
Contact Tina
an is is ich

B Spare room in fun student house nth

Th R

o
rm
a

We’re four friendly students in a relaxed house in the Dublin suburbs. We’re
5 pe
offering a downstairs single bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom. 52
ay te
©

€
There’s free Wi-Fi and a large desk in the room. We love to hang out and
make friends. Hope you’re a pet lover because we have got a dog and
three cats! It’s only twenty minutes to the city centre by bus.
Contact Jake
4

C Single room with a view onth

I’m a retired college teacher who likes the outdoor life. I live in a cosy rm
0 pe
cottage with a pretty garden and a beautiful sea view. There’s a shared
€ 50
kitchen, but you’ve got your own bathroom. Blackrock is a lovely safe
neighbourhood of Dublin. It takes ten minutes on the DART train service
to the city centre. There’s good internet access.
Contact Kate 3
9

D Family home o nth

A large double bedroom in a traditional nineteenth-century house with e rm
fireplaces in every room. We’re a family of four with two children aged 7 5p
€4
eight and nine. We live in a pretty village about a five-minute walk from
the train station. We can provide breakfast and the use of the kitchen
for your main meals. We’ve got excellent internet access and a spare
computer if you need it.
Contact Simon 6

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 SPEAKING  Asking for permission
I can  ask for permission.
1
1 1.9  Listen and read. Answer the questions.

Kate: And this is your room, Sam.

Sam: It’s really nice, Kate. Is it OK to put all my stuff in
these cupboards?
Kate: Yes, of course. Have you got any other questions?
Sam: Well, I do a lot of research online. Can I use your
Wi-Fi? And would it be possible to use your printer?
Kate: Free Wi-Fi is included. But I’m sorry, Sam. I’m afraid
my printer isn’t working at the moment.
m Sam: That’s OK. Am I allowed to have friends come and stay?

pi ew nte g
Kate: Well, if it’s just for a day or two, that’s absolutely fine.

co vi o in
Sam: That’s brilliant … I forgot to mention one thing. Could I

or nly t
practise playing the guitar in my room? It’s an acoustic!

ed o n
e re e c ish
Kate: In that case, no problem!

.
ld
1 Why is the Wi-Fi important for Sam? 4 Work in pairs. Plan a dialogue for the student
t b er pl bl

so
m 2 Why can’t Sam use the printer? house from the Keep talking! lesson. Follow
the steps in the Speaking plan.
no ch m Pu

3 How long can guests stay for?

2 1.10  Listen and repeat the Useful language. How
do you say these phrases in your language? Find Speaking plan
nd

which ones are used in the dialogue in Exercise 1.

 Prepare 
❯ Choose your roles and decide who you are.
m r ee o

Useful language Student A:  You are a student looking for a new
sa
d fo fr m

Asking for permission housemate. Make up some house rules.

Is it OK to/if …? Student B:  You are going to stay at the house.
an is is ich

Can/Could/May I …? Make notes for five questions to ask. Think about:

Would it be possible to …? having guests, having a party, playing musical
Am I allowed to …? instruments, where to keep a bicycle, using printers,
Th R

eating in your room, using the garden, etc.

a

Responding to requests ❯ Make notes for your dialogue.

ay te
©

Yes, of course.
That’s absolutely fine. / No problem.  Speak 
I’m sorry. / I’m afraid … ❯ Practise your dialogue. Be ready to improvise!
❯ Use phrases from the Useful language box.
❯ Act out your dialogue without notes.
Look! Saying no ❯ Swap roles and choose different rules.

When we don’t give permission for something,  Reflect 

it’s polite to give an explanation. ❯ Did you both sound polite? Did you manage to
I’m sorry, Sam. I’m afraid my printer isn’t working keep the dialogue going?
at the moment. ❯ How can you improve next time?

3 1.11  Match requests 1–4 with replies a–d. Then

listen and check. Now play Keep moving!
1 Could I use your computer? Mine’s got a problem.
2 Is it OK if I have dinner in my room? FAST FINISHER
3 Would it be possible to have a party? You are staying in one of the other homes in the
4 Am I allowed to store things in your basement? Keep talking! lesson. A friend is hoping to stay with you
for a week. Write a text message to your landlady asking
a No problem. There’s plenty of room.
for permission.
b Of course you can. It’s in my study.
c I’m sorry. It would make too much noise.
d No, I’m afraid eating isn’t allowed upstairs.

LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127

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 R E AL Home sweet home 1

CULT URE! I can  find key information in a text.

THREE TEENS TELL US ABOUT 2

THEIR HOMES AND LIFESTYLE. 3

SABRYNA JAMAICA is the largest English-speaking

Life in sunny Jamaica is awesome! We live Caribbean island. Most of the population
in Montego Bay, in a nice house, in a tree- have ancestors from Africa.
lined neighbourhood. ‘We’ is me, my mum

pi ew nte g
and dad, my sister and brother. We’ve got a

co vi o in
basement and a garden with a trampoline,

or nly t
which is where I de-stress. We’ve got a big

ed o n
e re e c ish
extended family – grandparents, aunts, uncles – and I see them

.
a lot. It’s always lots of fun. I’ve also got cousins in Britain,

ld
who I really want to visit. I’m a normal teenager – I like hanging
t b er pl bl
out in my bedroom, listening to music and going to the beach

so
with my friends. My parents are quite strict and hate to see me
no ch m Pu

‘doing nothing’. So, I help with chores – cooking, making beds,

setting the table, washing dishes. I don’t mind.
nd

RORY
m r ee o

I’m from Scotland and I live in a

sa
d fo fr m

castle. OK, I live in a small cottage in a

village with my mum, my dad and two
an is is ich

brothers. It’s isolated, but we’ve got

stunning views of the mountains. Our
home is super cosy; we’ve got a huge
Th R

stone fireplace in the living room, and

a

we’ve always got a fire burning during the cold winters. I love
ay te
©

gaming, but here in the countryside, the broadband speed

isn’t very fast. In summer, my friends and I do loads of cycling,
F
canoeing, hiking and climbing. It’s light until 11.00 p.m. here in
SCOTLAND is one of the countries that the north! How cool is that? Our house gets disorganized with
forms the United Kingdom and has got all our outdoor gear and there isn’t much storage space! We’re
English as its main language. very welcoming in Scotland – our door’s always open. So, I
hope you’ll come to dinner and try our national dish, haggis!

4
KANA
The majority of Aussies live in cities, and so 5
do I! My mum and I live in an ordinary house
in the suburbs of Sydney. I love summertime.
From October to March, I spend my free 6
time on the beach with friends, surfing or
swimming. Otherwise, I do typical teen stuff
like checking social media, oh and a bit of studying! Aussie
homes have got air con, but I’m always telling Mum to go
green and switch it off when we go out! My favourite meal is
an Aussie barbecue. There’s nothing better than cooking food AUSTRALIA is the only country that is a
over the grill outside and then playing backyard cricket. Is my continent. It’s got a small population of
life perfect? Not quite. There are some very poisonous spiders 25 million. Although it’s multicultural, the
here, so we don’t walk around the house with bare feet. majority have got European heritage. W

16

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 1 Look at the pictures on page 16. What do you know
about these countries? Make notes.

Australia   ​Jamaica   ​
Scotland
1
I A N
2 Read the three posts on page 16. Do they mention

. 3
any of your ideas from Exercise 1?

1.12  Read and listen to the posts. Copy and R A L

AUST UMBERS
N
HOMES IN
complete the information for each person.

Name  
Country  
Home description  
Free-time activities  

pi ew nte g
Cultural information  
INDOORS

co vi o in

or nly t
ed o n
e re e c ish
Name  

.
ld
Country  
t b er pl bl

so
Home description  
no ch m Pu

Free-time activities  
Cultural information  
nd

Name  
Country  
m r ee o

Home description   The living room

sa
d fo fr m

Free-time activities   1
…% have got smart TVs
an is is ich

Cultural information   2
…% have got integrated sound systems
3
… have got fireplaces
Th R

The bedroom
N
ay te

FU
©

Scotland’s national anima 4

l is … have got ensuite bathrooms
the my thological unicorn!
The 5
unicorn was chosen becaus …% have got walk-in wardrobes
e it
was believed to be the nat
ural
enemy of the lion. The lion
is
the national animal of Eng
land!

4 1.13  Listen to the radio programme. Complete

OUTDOORS
the fact file about Australian homes on the right.
Are any of the statistics surprising?

5 1.13  Listen again. What other information do

you hear? Add it to your notes.

6 COMPARE CULTURES  How do Australian

homes compare with those in your country?
Are the same things important? What are
the differences?

Now watch the culture video. 6

…% of homes have got backyards
7
…% have got front yards
FAST FINISHER 8
…% have got pools
Write a paragraph about your home and lifestyle.
9
…% have got barbecues

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 Flat to let
4 Look at the adjectives in the Useful language
WRITING  A description box. Which ones are used in the text?
I can  write a description of a home.
Useful language
1 Work in pairs. Look at the list of features you find When you write a description of a place, use
in a flat or house. Discuss which are the most adjectives to create interest and add information.
important. attractive   ​beautiful   ​brand-new   ​comfortable   ​
cosy   ​friendly   ​gorgeous   ​great   ​lively   ​
air con   ​close to shops   ​dishwasher   ​
lovely   ​open-plan   ​peaceful   ​quiet   ​relaxing   ​
fast Wi-Fi   ​lots of space   ​
storage space   ​
spacious   ​stylish   ​warm   ​well-equipped
views   ​wide-screen TV

2 Read the description from a flat rental website. 5 Read the Look! box. Find another example in
Copy the categories and add words. the text.

pi ew nte g
1 TYPE OF HOME flat

co vi o in
2 LOCATION Look! so to show a consequence

or nly t
ed o n
3 PARTS OF THE FLAT

e re e c ish
The flat is located close to shops and restaurants,

.
4 TYPE OF DÉCOR
so it’s good for eating in and out.

ld
5 FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT
t b er pl bl
6 PLACES & ACTIVITIES NEARBY

so
6 Choose a phrase from each column, A and B. Link
no ch m Pu

H o u s e s    F l a t s   S e a rc h them with so and write sentences. You may need

to add extra words.
Dublin flat with a river view A B
nd

1 a garden sleep in silence

This light, attractive flat has got a balcony 2 good transport system you can make a drink
with great views of the River Liffey, one of 3 on the 6th floor is easy to get around
m r ee o

Dublin’s famous landmarks. The flat is located

4 the cupboard contains you can have breakfast
sa
d fo fr m

close to shops and restaurants, so it’s good

tea and coffee outdoors
for eating in and out. And you’re close to
5 bedroom at the back see fantastic views
an is is ich

all the main sights if you feel like exploring.

There is a spacious open-plan living area There is a good transport system, so it is easy to
with air con, central heating, and a fast Wi-Fi get around.
Th R

connection. The décor is stylish with modern 7 Imagine you are offering your home or a relative’s
a

furniture and good lighting. There are two quiet home for short holiday rents. Write a description
ay te
©

double bedrooms, and two bathrooms with for a website. Follow the steps in the Writing plan.
showers. One has got a washing machine. The
fitted kitchen is well-equipped and has got a
dishwasher, a fridge/freezer, microwave and Writing plan
a coffee-making machine. In the living space,
there is a comfortable sofa and armchairs,  Prepare 
a wide-screen TV, and a brand-new sound ❯ Make notes about your home.
system. There’s also a beautiful dining table, so ❯ Plan what adjectives you are going to use.
the home is perfect for having Sunday brunch
while you look at the view.  Write 
❯ Include: the location and type of home, rooms,
furniture and equipment, style and décor, special
features.
❯ Be selective. Choose the information that makes
your home interesting.
❯ Think about what people need to know.
❯ Use adjectives from the Useful language box.

 Reflect 
❯ Have you used the adjectives from the
Useful language box correctly?
❯ Check the verb agreement with there is / there are.
3 Work in pairs. Brainstorm more words for the ❯ Check your use of so.
categories in Exercise 2.

W   Writing summary  WB p. 84 E   Exam: Unit 1  SB p. 118 LS   Language summary: Unit 1  SB p. 127

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