Reading houses

Look at a house from the outside, and you can guess what type of people live in it. Well, perhaps this is not always true. Some people can live in unusual houses. Some people live on boats, in tree houses or in tents.

For example, imagine you are in an old part of an industrial city in the UK. Cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool or Newcastle. There is a river, or a canal, which was important for transport in the past, before the railways were built. There are a lot of enormous buildings near the water. They were built in the 19th century. They must be industrial places to store things for import or export.

But…look more closely! There are expensive cars parked outside some of these buildings. And on the corner of the street there is a French restaurant, with a wine bar opposite. And just round the corner there is a shop with beautiful furniture. And here are more shops…Who buys these things?

Answer: the people who now live in these old buildings. Old warehouses like these offer two things that are difficult to find in modern houses: space, and a view.

Over the past 10 years, more and more architects have converted buildings like this into apartments, which have big rooms, high ceilings… and often a terrace which looks onto the water.

So, the old parts of many of Britain’s industrial cities now have a new life. They are not dead anymore, with empty warehouses and disused factories. You can buy factory space and make yourself a home in it. And the people who live in them can walk or cycle to work.

Or…with so much space. They work from home with a computer and a modem! Buildings don’t always tell us about lifestyles immediately. So, next time you see an old station, a deserted church or a village school in Britain, look carefully for the clues. You may get a surprise. Is this true in your town too?

Are these sentences true or false, according to the text?

• These buildings were built recently

• They are very spacious

• Britain’s city centres do not have people living in them

• Some people in Britain live and work in the same place

• Some people in Britain live in churches.

Task 4 – Houses in your country

• Describe the types of housing available in your country / area. Speak with a partner.

• What are the main features?

• Do people live in the centre of cities or towns?

• Are there any unusual houses?

• Are there any historic houses?

• Have the types of houses changed in the last 50 years?

Writing

Some people prefer to live in a house, while others think that there are more advantages living in an apartment.

Are there more advantages than disadvantages to living in a house rather than in an apartment?

Task for Individual work

Describe your ideal place to live.

Would you rather live alone or with lots of people?

In a town or rural area?

In a flat, house or something more unusual like a boat?

Do you like old buildings or modern ones?

Is there anyone in the class with the same taste as you?

Grammar exercises