CONVERSATION: TYPES OF HOMES

VOCABULARY
Match the words to the correct pictures.

house apartment bedroom bathroom kitchen city

garage dining room living room seaside mountains garden

1. dining room 2. house 3. bathroom 4. bedroom

5. apartment 6. kitchen 7. seaside 8. garden

9. city 10. garage 11. mountains 12. living room

ESL Pals 1 General English

 SPEAKING EXERCISE
Look at the pictures and then answer the questions. Say as much as you can!

1. Which house is the biggest?

2. Which house is the quietest?
3. Which house is the noisiest?
4. Which house is the prettiest?
5. Which house is the safest?
6. Which house has the most rooms?
7. Which house has the best garden?
8. Which house has the best view?
9. Would you rather live in house 1 or 2?
10. Would you rather live in house 2 or 4?
11. Would you rather live in house 2 or 4?
12. Which house is your favourite?

ESL Pals 2 General English

 QUESTIONS
Discuss the following questions.

1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?

2. How many bedrooms do you have? Describe.

3. How many bathrooms do you have? Describe.

4. Do you have a garden or a patio? What do you do in this space?

5. Does your house have a garage?

6. What do you think are the essential rooms or areas in a home? Explain.

7. What are some common types of homes in your country?

8. In the future, do you want to live in an apartment or a house? Why?

9. What are some important factors to consider when choosing a new home?

10. How do you think the design of a home can affect your mood and well-being?

11. Do you think it is better to buy or rent a place? Why?

12. How have homes and housing changed over the years?

13. What are some eco-friendly features that can be incorporated into a home's design?

14. How important is natural light in a home? Why?

15. Do you live in a big city? Describe your city.

16. What are the advantages of living in the city?

17. What are the disadvantages of living in the city?

18. Would you prefer living by the seaside or in the mountains?

19. What are the benefits of living by the seaside?

20. What are the challenges of living by the seaside?

21. What are the advantages of living in the mountains?

22. What are the disadvantages of living in the mountains?

23. Describe your dream house.

ESL Pals 3 General English

HOMEWORK
BUYING VS RENTING A HOME
In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider when deciding whether to buy
or rent a home. Let's get started!

1. Financial Considerations:

Buying a Home: If you have enough money for a down payment and can afford monthly
mortgage payments, buying a home may be a good option. When you buy a home, you
are making an investment. Over time, the value of your home may increase, allowing you
to build equity and potentially make a profit when you decide to sell it.
Renting a Home: This requires less money upfront compared to buying. You usually need
to pay a security deposit and monthly rent. Renting can provide flexibility if you're unsure
about the location or if you're planning to move in the near future. However, keep in mind
that your rent may increase over time, and you won't build equity or own the property.

2. Maintenance and Repairs:

Buying a Home: As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of
the property. While this gives you control over your living space, it also means you must
allocate time and money for upkeep. It's essential to consider whether you have the skills
and resources to handle maintenance tasks or if you're willing to hire professionals.
Renting a Home: One advantage of renting is that the landlord typically takes care of
maintenance and repairs. If something breaks or needs fixing, you can simply inform your
landlord, and they will handle it. This can save you time and money, especially if you're
not comfortable with DIY repairs.

3. Long-Term Plans:

Buying a Home: This is a long-term commitment. If you plan to settle down in one place
for several years and have a stable income, purchasing a home may be a good decision. It
provides stability and the opportunity to customise your living space to your liking.
Additionally, as you pay off your mortgage, you build equity, gaining financial security.
Renting a Home: This is a more flexible option, especially if you're uncertain about your
long-term plans or if you anticipate frequent relocations. Renting allows you to easily
move to different areas or upgrade to a bigger or smaller space as your needs change.
This flexibility can be beneficial if your job or personal circumstances require mobility.

ESL Pals 4 General English

Decide if the following statements are true or false:

1. Buying a home can be a good option if you have enough money for a down payment
and can afford monthly mortgage payments. T

2. When you buy a home, you are making an investment, and the value of your home
may increase over time, allowing you to build equity and potentially make a profit
when you sell it. T

3. Renting a home requires less money upfront compared to buying. F

4. When renting a home, you usually need to pay a security deposit and monthly rent.
T

5. Renting a home can provide flexibility, especially if you're unsure about the location
or planning to move in the near future. T

6. Renting a home means your rent may increase over time, and you won't build equity
or own the property. T

7. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the
property when buying a home. T

8. The landlord typically takes care of maintenance and repairs when renting a home. F

9. Buying a home is a long-term commitment and can be a good decision if you plan to
settle down in one place for several years and have a stable income. T

On a separate piece of paper, write detailed answers to the following questions.

a) What are the advantages of buying a home compared to renting?

b) In what situations would renting a home be a better choice than buying?

c) How does building equity in a home contribute to financial security?

d) What are the drawbacks of buying a home in terms of maintenance and repairs?

e) How does renting provide flexibility for individuals with uncertain long-term plans?

f) What factors should be considered when deciding between renting and buying?

g) How does the potential for increasing rent affect the affordability of renting?

h) What are the financial considerations one should make when deciding to buy?

i) How does owning a home allow for personalisation of living space?

j) How does the responsibility for maintenance and repairs differ between renting and
buying a home, and what are the implications of each?

ESL Pals 5 General English