UNIT 11: PRACTICE

Talking about you (continue)

5 Getting information:

1. Ask and answer to complete the two below charts.

Student A:

Student B:
2. Practice speaking: Retell about Mike, Lucy, Nicole, Jeff and Wendy

3. Think of questions to ask about free time and vacation activities

Fee time
1. What are some things you like to do in your free time?
2. Do you have more free time now than when you were a kid?
3. What is the most worthwhile thing a person can do with their free time?
4. What does the idiom “Time is money” mean? Do you agree with it?
5. Is there something you wish you could do with your free time but can’t?
6. Do you think a four-day work week would be a good idea?

Vacation activities
 1. How do you feel after a long vacation?
2. Did you notice any cross-cultural differences during your vacation?
3. What souvenirs did you buy?
4. What is the most exotic or strangest thing you ate on holiday?
5. Of all the places you visited, which would you recommend to your friends?

VOCABULARY
Daily life

Match the verbs and nouns (CD1 11:05 – 11:44)

Have breakfast Make some coffee

Wash my hair Listen to music
Watch a movie on TV Relax on the sofa
Talk to my friends Do my homework

Take a shower Cook a meal

Clean up the mess Go to the bathroom
Do the dishes Put on makeup
Have or put posters on the wall Read magazines

Match the above activities with the correct room.

Kitchen Living room

Have breakfast Watch a movie on TV
Clean up the mess Talk to my friends
Do the dishes Have or put posters on the wall
Make some coffee Relax on the sofa
Cook a meal Read magazines

Bathroom Bedroom
Wash my hair Listen to music
Take a shower Do my homework
Go to the bathroom Put on makeup

Answer some questions

1. Which room do you like most in your house? Why?

2. Is there anything about your house that you would like to change?
3. What does the outside of your house look like?
4. Is your home in a convenient location?
5. How are homes different in your home country and in this country? Which one do you
like the best?
6. How important is security? How do you make a house secure?
 7. Do you like to keep pets in your home?
8. What makes ‘a house’ into ‘a home’?
9. Make a list of the 10 most important things you would look for when choosing a house to
live.

Make conversations: Conversation between Landlord and Tenant

1. Looking for an apartment 7. Explaining the problem to the plumber

2. Making an appointment for an apartment 8. Mailbox key missing
viewing 9. Checking smoke detectors
3. Asking about safety features 10. Recreation area problems
3. Negotiating 11. Warning about late rent payment
4. Announce the successful negotiation. 12. Calling the Landlord about moving out
5. A broken window
6. Calling landlord to report a leak

1 Looking for an apartment

Some information you need to know: area? the outside of your apartment? Room? Furniture?
Electricity? Water? Security? Cost? Time and place to negotiate?

Tenant: Hey! Actually I was looking for a flat on rent. So I found your number on Internet.
Could you please let me know the details regarding that?

Landlord: Yeah sure. Could you tell about your preferred location?

Tenant: I am looking for an accommodation in Golden Mark area. As my office is located at

Tran Vy street so I would prefer an apartment in close proximity.

Landlord: OK. I have a flat in S-block. It’s near a main market.

Tenant: That’s perfect.

Landlord: It’s S3-XXXX apartment. It has modular kitchen. One balcony and washroom
attached to that.

Tenant: What about water supply and electricity?

Landlord: It has 24×7 electricity backup and water supply.

Tenant: What about rent?

Landlord: It will cost you 15 million dong per month plus 300.000 dong security.
Tenant: The rent is high. Is the rent negotiable?

Landlord: That won’t be possible on my part.

Tenant: Actually I have recently shifted to Viet Nam and I have to take care of a lot things. So
I would be very grateful to you if could please negotiate the rent.

Landlord: I can make it up to 14 million per month not below that.

Tenant: Yes, that’s seems to be fair. Thank you so much for your consideration. So when can I
come to see the flat and finalize everything?

Landlord: You can come today by 5 o’ clock.

Tenant: Is it possible tomorrow?

Landlord: Tomorrow at what time?

Tenant: Tomorrow in the morning. So that I can finalize everything and shift as well.

Landlord: Tomorrow at 11 o’ clock then?

Tenant: Yes, that would be fine.

Landlord: OK, then see you tomorrow at 11.

Tenant: Could you please text me the exact location?

Landlord: Sure I will text you the address.

Tenant: Thank you so much.

2 Making an apartment for an apartment viewing

A: How are you doing?

B: Everything's fine with me.

A: What can I do for you today?

B: Is it possible for me to view the apartment today?

A: Unfortunately, you will not be able to view it today.

B: Why can't I view it today?

A: You'll need to make an appointment to view the apartment.

B: I understand. May I make an appointment then?

A: How does this Friday sound?

B: Friday at 6:00 pm would be perfect.

A: That will be fine.

B: Thanks for your help

3 Asking about safety feathers

A: I really like this beautiful apartment!

B: Thank you. Do you have any further questions?

A: Yes, I was wondering about safety features.

B: Yes, what are your concerns?

A: How about fire alarms and escape routes?

B: Every apartment has its own smoke alarm, and the whole building is on a sprinkler system.

A: What about fire extinguishers?

B: They are in the hallways on all of the floors. It is suggested that you buy an individual one
for your own apartment.

A: What about escape routes in a fire?

B: The escape routes are clearly posted in the hallways.

4 Negotiating

A: I would love to rent this apartment.

B: I'm happy to hear you say that.

A: How much are you asking for every month?

B: I'm renting this apartment out for $1050 a month.

A: That is quite a lot of money for just one month.

B: That is a fair price.

A: What do you say to $850 a month?

B: That's no good.

A: It's either $850 or nothing at all.

B: I won't go any lower than $1050.

A: Could you please go lower?

B: That's the best I can do.

5 Asking about check

A: Yes, this is John Smith.

B: John, this is Terry Evans. I called to tell you I have good news.

A: Great, what is it?

B: The owner has approved your rental application. He enjoyed talking to you.

A: That's great. He seemed like a really nice guy.

B: Now, before you can move in, you need to pay some fees.

A: Fees, what kind of fees?

B: You know. First and last month's rent and security deposit.

A: Oh, those fees!

B: First and last is $2,500, and the deposit is $1,000. Just send me a check for $3,500.
A: No problem, what's your address?

B: Send it to 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107.

A: So, when can I move in?

B: The first of next month. Just stop by my office and pick up your keys.

A: Very good! Let me have your phone number.

B: Sure. It's 626-555-3000.

6 A broken Window:

A: I'm Janet Smith in apartment 23. Is this the apartment manager?

B: Hello. What can I do for you today?

A: My living room window is broken.

B: Are you serious? Do you know what happened?

A: I am not really sure, because I was out when it occurred.

B: Do you have any idea who might have been behind this?

A: Something tells me it might be some of the kids in the complex.

B: What led you to think it might be the kids in this building?

A: I found a baseball near the broken glass.

B: Well, you can't ignore a baseball in your living room, can you?

A: I saw them in the lot just before I went out.

B: Do you know any of them?

A: No, I didn't pay any attention to who they were.

B: I'll call the window repairman, but it'll probably take a couple of days.

A: I could get fast service if I call a friend of mine.

B: I don't have a problem with that. Let me look at the damage first.

A: Okay, I'm waiting for you. But who does my friend give the bill to?

B: Since the kids broke it, your friend can bill me.

A: Whew! I was worried that I would have to pay for it.

B: Believe me, if I find out which kid broke the window, I'll bill his parents.

7 Calling landlord to report a leak

A: I have a problem.

B: What's the problem?

A: A pipe burst in my ceiling.

B: Why do you think that?

A: There is water dripping from my ceiling.

B: Is it causing a flood in your apartment?

A: No, but my carpet is getting wet.

B: How long has this water been dripping?

A: It only started leaking today.

B: I'll have someone come down to fix it right away.

A: That's great.

B: I apologize for the inconvenience.

8 Explaining the problem to the Plumber

A: Thank you for coming.

B: You’re welcome. What's the problem?

A: I have a leaky pipe.

B: Where exactly is the pipe?

A: The pipe is behind a wall in my bathroom.

B: How long has the pipe been leaking?

A: It began leaking a couple of days ago.

B: I must tell you that in order to get to the pipe, I must tear down that wall.

A: I know.

B: That won't be a problem?

A: Not as long as it gets fixed.

B: All right, I will start working now.

9 Mailbox key missing

A: Hey, Nicole. It's Jimmy in 309.

B: Hi there, Jimmy. What can I do for you?

A: I screwed up, and I need your help.

B: Tell me the specific problem. Let me see what I can do.

A: I've torn my apartment apart, but I can't find my mailbox key.

B: Well, you should be grateful it wasn't your car keys.

A: On top of that, I couldn't find the duplicate either.

B: If you need to get in there, come by and borrow a key.

A: No, my mailbox is usually empty anyway.

B: Well, then, I'll make you two more keys on Wednesday.

A: No problem. I can wait till Wednesday. Maybe there'll be something in there by then.
B: Okay. Have $4 ready for when you see me Wednesday.

10 Checking smoke detectors

A: Hi, this is Betty.

B: Hi, Betty. It's Larry. Can you tell me how many smoke detectors you have?

A: There are two smoke detectors in my apartment.

B: Do you know how new the batteries are?

A: I'm very afraid of fires. I change the batteries every Labor Day.

B: Good. I'm calling all the tenants before I come by to test the detectors.

A: My detectors are ready for you. When will you be visiting?

B: This Thursday at noon. But you don't have to be there.

A: Okay, just pardon the mess when you come in.

B: You'll never even know that I was there.

11 Recreation Area Problems

A: Could I speak with the manager about some problems in the pool area?

B: Sure, what seems to be the problem?

A: My apartment is next to the pool, and there seems to be some really late-night partying going
on out there.

B: The hours for the pool are eight in the morning to ten at night. Is the noise that you are
hearing later than that?

A: Yes, sometimes people are in the Jacuzzi at midnight!

B: Did you call the night manager?

A: No, I didn't really know if anyone was around that late.

B: I am going to give you my number to call if it happens again.

A: Thank you for your help.

B: You are welcome. I will be sending letters to tenants to remind them of the rules.

12 Warning about Late Rent Payment

A: Hi, this is Nicole.

B: Hi, Nicole. Richard here. I think you've got a good idea why I'm calling.

A: Yes. It's about the rent, isn't it?

B: Yes, your rent is late. This is the second month in a row.

A: But I thought that I had a grace period.

B: I told you last month that the rental agreement contains no grace period.

A: Oh, I guess I was thinking about the last place that I lived.

B: Well, tell me when I'm going to get your rent.

A: I get paid tomorrow, so you'll get the check by Monday.

B: Don't forget to include the $50 late fee.

A: Are you sure a late fee is in the rental agreement?

B: How could you miss the late fee? It's circled in red ink!

A: I can't find my copy of the rental agreement. I know it's somewhere in my apartment.

B: If you're late one more time, I'm probably going to evict you.

13 Calling the Landlord about moving out

A: Good afternoon, Jim. This is Olivia.

B: Oh, hi, Olivia. How can I help you?

A: I'm going to be moving out.

B: Oh, really? When are you leaving?

A: I'll be leaving on the last day of June.

B: Any particular reason?

A: I got a new job.

B: Congratulations! What is it?

A: I'm going to be an ESL instructor at Pasadena City College.

B: Great! By the way, what's ESL?

A: ESL stands for English as a Second Language.

B: Well, I'm glad it wasn't your neighbors causing you to move.

A: Just because they play their TV loud enough for the whole complex?

B: Yes, I know. I'm going to have another talk with them.

A: Anyway, it's been nice knowing you for these past few years.

B: You, too. Keep in touch, and good luck with your new job.