Types of Houses
Active Vocabulary
Grammar: Present Continuous Passive
Britain vs Belarus
Real Estate Talk
100
This is a one-storey house, often with a veranda. It's popular in suburban areas.
bungalow
100
Give a synonym for "privacy"
Seclusion, being alone, personal space.
100
Transform: "They are building a new house in our street."
A new house is being built in our street.
100
What is the most common type of housing in Britain?
Terraced houses and semi-detached houses are very common
100
You are a real estate agent. Describe the advantages of a detached house to a buyer.
A detached house offers complete privacy. It has a garden and you don't share walls with neighbors. It's ideal for a family.
200
This is a flat on two levels, often with its own entrance. It's common in converted houses.
maisonette
200
Give an antonym for "affordable".
Expensive, costly, unaffordable.
200
Choose the correct form: The old factory ___ (convert) into flats now.
is being converted
200
What is the most common type of housing in Belarus?
Blocks of flats (apartment blocks) in cities, and detached houses in rural areas.
200
You are a buyer. Ask two questions about a maisonette.
Is the maisonette on two levels? Does it have its own entrance?
300
Compare a detached house and a semi-detached house. Name TWO differences.
A detached house doesn't share walls with neighbors, so it offers more privacy. A semi-detached shares one wall, which makes it more affordable but less private.
300
Make a sentence with "to convert" about an old building.
They converted an old factory into loft apartments.
300
Find and correct the mistake: "A new school is being build in our district."
is being built (build → built)
300
Give two reasons why terraced houses are not popular in Belarus.
1. Historical preference for separate houses or Soviet-style blocks. 2. Climate: terraced houses can be less energy-efficient in cold winters compared to well-insulated blocks.
300
Give your opinion: "Renting is better than owning a house." Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
I disagree. When you own a house, you can convert it and make changes. Renting is less affordable in the long term and you have less privacy.
400
Which type of housing doesn't belong? Why? (terraced house, semi-detached, bungalow, block of flats)
Bungalow doesn't belong because it's a single-storey house, while the others are multi-storey or have shared walls.
400
Explain the word "spacious" without using gestures. You cannot say "big" or "large".
A place where there is a lot of room to move freely, not cramped.
400
Answer the question: What is being built or renovated in your neighborhood now?
A playground is being built near my house. Also, some old blocks of flats are being renovated.
400
What do British and Belarusian people have in common when it comes to "privacy"?
In both cultures, people value privacy. However, in Britain, privacy often means having your own garden, while in Belarus, it might mean having your own flat with no shared entrance.
400
Role-play dialogue: Client wants a spacious house but has a limited budget. Agent offers a solution. (Диалог в паре)
Client: I need a spacious house, but my budget is tight. Agent: You could consider a semi-detached house. It offers more space than a flat and is more affordable than a detached one.
500
Explain why terraced houses are typical for Britain but not for Belarus.
Terraced houses were built during the Industrial Revolution in Britain for workers in cities. In Belarus, historically, people preferred detached houses in villages or blocks of flats in cities due to different urban planning traditions.
500
Define "housing" as a concept. What does it include?
Housing refers to buildings where people live. It includes houses, flats, and the infrastructure around them, like roads and utilities. It's also about the availability of affordable places to live.
500
Describe the picture (фото стройки жилого комплекса). Use at least 2 sentences with "is being + V3".
A new residential complex is being constructed. Modern apartments are being built with energy-efficient materials.
500
Role-play: You are a Belarusian living in Britain. Tell what you had to get used to regarding housing.
I had to get used to living in a terraced house where you share walls with neighbors. In Belarus, I lived in a block of flats, so it was different. Also, I found that British houses often have smaller rooms but a garden, which was new for me.
500
Monologue: "My ideal home." Use at least 4 words from the active vocabulary.
My ideal home is a detached house with a garden. It should be spacious and offer complete privacy. I'd like to convert the attic into a study. It's important that housing like this is affordable, which is not always easy to find.