New

Adventures
with English

An ESL guide book for

a new life

1
Unit 2 – Room available
Words & expressions
In this unit you are going to explore language related to moving into shared accommodation.

1. Firstly with your partner brainstorm a list of items that you could find in a typical bedroom.
Write the items below.
(example) a pillow

2. Now circle the items that you have in the room that you are living in now

3. What adjectives can be used to describe your room and different items in it? Include both
positive and negative descriptions. Write your ideas below:
Your room Items in your room
(example) very quiet (example) A soft, pink pillow

Share with the class.

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4. Draw a picture of the room that you are living in now. Show where different items you
identifies in (3) are located in your room.

5. For each item, think of prepositions that can be used to describe its location in your room
Make a list of prepositions below: Share your list with the class.
(example) next to

6. Ask and answer these questions with your partner:

 Where do you live?
 What’s your room like?
 What’s in it? (Describe what you have in your room and where these items are
using the picture above).
 Do you like your room? Why?

3
Reading & Writing
1. Imagine that you are going to move to new room in a share house. In your group, complete
the table below on your requirements for the house and room.
Must have/be Would like to have/be Mustn’t have/be
(example) Must have a desk Would like to have a pool Mustn’t be noisy

2. Look at these two room ads. What’s the difference between them?
Name: Rudi Name: Saki

Subject: Single room available Subject: Share room wanted

1 room available in a 6 bedroom share house.
Large partly furnished bedroom. (has bed but
no desk or wardrobe).
Rent includes electricity and gas.
Close to public transport, and shops.
15 minutes to the city by bus.
Rent is $130/w, Bond: $200
Available in 3 weeks
Must be a non-smoker
Please contact me on 040 373 5272
Hi everyone!
I’m looking to share a room.
Must be fully furnished and have broadband
access.
Would like to have a swimming pool, but
mustn’t have animals
I can pay $60/w (must include internet).
Must be close to shops and public transport.
Would like to move in immediately
Please call me anytime on 0423 167 672

3. Write your own ad for a room in a share house using the information in the table of
requirements above.
Share room wanted:

Name:
Subject:

4
Listening & Pronunciation
You’re going to listen to two conversations where Deborah is trying to find share house
accommodation.

1. Listen to Part 1 of the conversations and circle the correct answer:

How much is the room per week? Is electricity included in the rent?

a.) $130 a.) Yes

b.) $113 b.) No
c.) $103 c.) Not Given
How long does it take to get to the city by bus? How many females are living in the house?

a.) 5 minutes a.) None

b.) 15 minutes b.) One
c.) 50 minutes c.) A few

2. Listen to the conversation again. As you listen underline the words that are stressed in each
sentence (sentence stress).

3. Practice the conversation with a partner, focusing on copying the sentence stress.

4. Practice one more time. If you are Rudi, change some of the details of the room.

Part 2
1. Listen to Part 2 of the conversation and answer the following questions:
How many females are living in the house? Rent is ..

a.) None a.) $19 pr week

b.) One b.) $90 per week
c.) Two c.) $99 per week
Internet access is .. Jimmi’s going to help Deborah by ..

a.) Free a.) Putting her into the house

b.) Each person pays their own bill b.) Telling the other how good she is
c.) The cost is shared c.) Arranging a job interview for her

2. Listen to the conversation again and, as before, underline the stressed words.

3. Practice the conversation in a group of 4 or 5 students focusing on the stressed words.

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4. Practice one more time. Change some of the details in the conversation.

6
Discussions

In groups:
1. First list the good points and bad points of sharing with people from your own nationality
compared to different nationalities? Then discuss which would you prefer and why?
Good points Bad points
Own Nationality Own Nationality

Different Nationalities Different Nationalities

2. Now list the good points and bad points of sharing a house in a mixed gender household
and a single sex household? Then discuss which would you prefer and why?
Good points Bad points
Mixed Gender Mixed Gender

Single Sex Single Sex

3. These days many children are deciding to live longer in their parent’s home. List the
advantages and disadvantages of living with parents.
Advantages Disadvantages

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4. When should children leave their parent’s home? Describe your own experience.
Dialogue - Unit 2

8
Part 1
Phone conversation between Deborah and
Rudi, a potential share house owner.
Rudi: Hello?
Deborah: Oh hi. Is that Rudi?
Rudi: Yes, this is Rudi. What can I do for you?
Deborah: Well, I’m ringing about the ad for the
single room. Is it still available?
Rudi: Yes it is.
Deborah: Oh great. Your ad said it’s $130 per
week. Is that correct?
Rudi: Yes, that’s right, and you need to pay $400
bond and 2 weeks in advance.
Deborah: $400 bond? I thought it was $200.
Rudi: No, it’s $400, and you have to pay extra for
water and electricity.
Deborah: But your ad said electricity is included.
Rudi: No. Sorry.
Deborah: Well …… How close is it to the city?
Rudi: It’s about 50 minutes by bus.
Deborah: Is there a bus stop close by?
Rudi: It’s about a 10 minute walk.
Deborah: Oh. Well ….. How many people are
living there?
Rudi: There are 5 of us. All guys.
Deborah: Oh, I see. Well …..
Rudi: Yeah, we really need a female in the
house. It’s getting really dirty, and none of us
cook.
Deborah: Ok then. I’ll think about it. Bye. (hangs
up)
Rudi: Hello? Hello?
Part 2
Conversation between Jimmi and Deborah at
school.
Jimmi: Hi Deborah. I heard you’re looking for a
place to stay.
Deborah: Yes, that’s right, but it’s really hard to
find the right place.
Jimmi: Well, actually there’s a room available
where I am.
Deborah: Really? What’s it like?
Jimmi: Well, it’s a 4 bedroom house about 20
minutes from the school.
Deborah: By bus?
Jimmi: No. On foot. There’s me, and one
Japanese girl, and a guy from Mexico. It’s a really
friendly place and we all get on really well
together.
Deborah: Sounds perfect. How much is it?
Jimmi: It’s $90 per week for your own room, but
you have to pay a 2 week bond.
Deborah: That’s ok. How about internet? I have
to have internet access.
Jimmi: No problem. We have wireless internet in
the house and we split the bill at the end of the
month.
Deborah: Great. When can I move in?
Jimmi: I’ll speak to the others and we’ll arrange
an interview.
Deborah: An interview?
Jimmi: Yeah, we all have to agree, but don’t
worry. They’re really nice people and I’m sure It’ll
be ok.
Deborah: Oh, OK.
Jimmi: I’ll put in a good word for you.
Deborah: Thanks Jimmi.