Read the forum on modern and period houses. What do most of

the forum participants prefer: modern or period houses?

Beautyqueen:I’ve never really liked living in period

homes. Too many things just want break down. Right now

we’re living in a slightly older house. It’s not very modern,except

for the two bathrooms. It just feels old. Sometimes

I wish I lived in a newer home. It would be easier to clean

things and make everything look good. What do you think? Is

it better to live in an older home or newer home? Do you find

that newer homes lackcharm and warmth?

Stella:I would prefer to live in a new house rather than

an old house. No doubt, old houses look good but ask someone

who actually lives there: low ceilings,bad electricitywiring

and water supply,no modern conveniences.I can live in an old

house but only for vacations. You can normally only find charm

and warmth in old houses, in other words homes. Newer houses

are just for comfort.

Robert:I live in a period house. It was built in 1914.

It doesn’t have much insulation except for what we have put in.

The wiring is old except for what we have updated. But newer

homes are not built to last. Most modern homes are built with

pine and are just cheaper. My house is built with oak and walnut

and has stood the test of time. Sometimes I wish I had

a new house but at the same time I know how well this house

was made. It needs lots of work, though. Currently my daughter

Gwen’s room and the bathroom are being completely renovated.

Both atticsand the basementare being repaired. As for

charm, to me it is the style, not how old the house is.

Angel:I prefer living in new houses. In my opinion, new

houses have more modern conveniences. They’re more convenient

to live in because everything is handy. But I don’t mind

living in an old house as long as I feel comfortable. It all

depends.

Coolguy:I’d prefer to live in an old house, which is

charming, homey and full of memories... And I can’t afford to

build a new house...

Germione:I have never lived in a brand new or modern

house. The house we are living in now is old, well over 100 years

old in fact, and it is our first home. I have come to love this old

house, but it is cold in winter that is my only bugbear with it.

In fact, it is cold all year around! I think it is because it is so

spacious, plus the ceilings are really high up too.

The Irish Rose: Both modern and period houses have

their advantages and disadvantages. I currently live in a

40-year-old house. Houses built back then did not have a lot

of insulation. So when it’s hot, it’s even hotter. When it’s cold,

you’re freezing. But, the history of the house is so rich and it

might even surprise you what it was originally used for. Now

when you talk about a newer house, coolingand heatingwould

be much easier too since they now come with a lot of insulation.

With new houses, you get the sense of safety. Personally,

I would rather live in a new one.

Cinderella:I clean houses for a living and most of my clients

have newer houses as they have the money to afford them

and me to clean their house. I don’t like newer houses; they just

don’t have any character. I prefer older homes that have character.

I like older houses because they were built stronger back

then. Nowadays the houses are put up so fast and with the

cheapest wood, they will need more repairs in the long run.

3. a) Find the words in bold in the text that mean:

a) the space or room at the top of a building, under the roof,

often used for storing things

b) a part of a building consisting of rooms that are partly or

completely below the level of the ground

c) the water that is provided for a particular area

d) the system of wires (проводов) that carry electricity

e) something in the house, which makes life easier for its user

because it operates quickly and needs little effort

f) the surface of a room which you can see when you look above

you

g) of a certain time in history

h) the system of making the house warm in cold weather

i) the system of making the house cool in hot weather

j) having a lot of space

k) not to have enough of (something that is needed or wanted)

Date: 2016-01-03; view: 3481