Until I was 7, our family lived in a block-of-flats. It was situated on the outskirts of our town. There were five and seven-storey houses. We lived in a three-roomed flat.
Living in a block-of-flats wasn´t very interesting and we didn´t enjoy our life there very much. Visitors could come to stay with us only for a short time because we couldn´t accomodate them.
Our living situation changed when I was 7. My parents bought the ground and began building the house. After 2 years the house was finished and we could move to it.
The housing situation in Great Britain and in Slovakia.
Almost half of all British families own the houses which they live in. When you want to buy a house in Britain, you don´t need to have all the money. There are lots of bank institutions which will lend you the money, we call it mortgage.
Young people who can´t afford to buy a house or a flat, rent it. Such renting is very common. Sometimes 3 or more young people live in a rented flat and share the costs.
In Slovakia lots of people live in blocks-of-flats. Flats are either small or large. You can have a one-roomed flat or two or three-roomed flat or even a four-roomed flat which has almost as much space as the house.
To own a house or flat in Slovakia isn´t easy at all. It´s very expensive. That´s why a lot of young people leave Slovakia to earn more money abroad.
Types of houses in Britain
- terraced houses are built in a row and are joined one to another to form a street
- 2 houses joined together by one wall are called semi-detached houses
- a detached house stands by itself, it´s not joined to another house
- a bungalow is a one-storey house
- a cottage is a small village house or a holiday cottage in the countryside
Typical British house
A typical British house has a front garden and a back garden and usually it has two storeys. A well-kept lawn is a pride of every British family as the British are fond of gardening.
The British like to spend their free time in their houses. Everyone in the family helps around the house. British people say “my house-my castle“ which means that´s my ownership, my wealth and my certainty.
Ideal house/Dream house
My dream house is situated at the edge of a small city district. Right behind the house is a forest and meadow. So that it takes only a few steps to get to nature.
About 200 metres from my house there is a lake. That´s good because I can swim there during summer. The house has a big red roof and there is a small painted chimney on the roof.
In front of the house there is a small flower garden and behind the house there is a swimming pool. I hope that one day my dream will come true.
My children bedroom
My children room is not very large but sunny. Walls are light orange, covered with pictures. There is a big table near the window where you can find many kinds of papers, books, pencils, pens, photos and so on. Sometimes it looks very chaotic but I can find there everything I want. My mum can´t understand it and often says: “It´s like a volcano after several erruptions!“ Then I have to tidy my room for her satisfaction. Behind my messy table there is a bed where I spend most of my time when I read a book, listen music, study or sleep. I love sleeping very much.
Past x Nowadays x Future
Past :
didn´t have an electricity, vaccum cleaner, washing machine,
had wooden or mud floor,
didn´t have water, toilet, television, computer,
cleaned clothes by hand,
ate from one bowl/plate,
had small rooms, usually three-roomed houses,
had one or two big beds where slept all of them,
fireplace made warm,
knew neighbours, talk to them more often than us,
didn´t have many schools,usually there was one school in a town,
had to shop every week
Nowadays:
have a refrigerator, preprepared meals, washing machine, vaccum cleaner, water, electricity, toilet, television, computer,
housing estates were built,
go shopping once a month,
don´t need to eat from one bowl or one plate,
have larger rooms, more space,
can listen to mp3 players everywhere we are,
every person has their own bed and often bedroom too,
communication between us and our neighbours is very neglected
Future:
everything will be done by robots,
more spacious houses will be built,
computers will lead our society,
everyone will have their own room and bathroom
Village x Town
Village:
cleaner air,
more space = bigger houses and gardens,
less population,
far from work = have to commute to work and school = buses can be late, uncomfortable = have to get up early,
less facilities to lead cultural life,
one elementary school,
one village shop
Town:
full of offices, housing estates, schools,
heavy traffic,
job solutions,
lots of people everywhere,
opportunities to spend Saturday evening - cinema, theatre, restaurants,...
more free time activities,
shopping network,
parks,
people face dangerous situations every day,
dirty air from car fumes,
more expensive cost of living
Flat x House
Flat:
part of one building,
loud neighbours can interrupt you,
less space,
common boiler with neighbours,
housing estate is dangerous place,
many people move in your block of flats and they coul be thieves,
have to search for a parking place,
cheaper,
more gossips,
heavy traffic,
badly-kept nature
House:
can have a garden,
peaceful and quiet atmosphere,
more space,
better for having a dog – don´t have to be locked in a flat when you´re not at home,
aren´t interrupted by anyone,
have your own garage,
have more privacy,
can sit in your veranda and admire the view,
can grow up vegetables,
have your own entrance,
more expensive
Rented flat x living with parents
Rented flat:
have to share with other tenants
should work out all the financial details to avoid misunderstandings,
have to share with many things like kitchen or television,
don´t know all the tenant´s mean streaks
have to sign up a legally binding contract,
have to decide who´s responsible for collecting and paying the rent,
can be often disturbed by our flat-sharers,
feel independent
Living with parents:
feel dependent,
don´t have to pay for a rent, water rates, service charges, Council Tax or TV licence,
don´t have to cook on your own,
know what you can expect from people you live with,
can study in a quiet place of your home,
can enjoy yourself sunning on the patio,
spend a lot of tome with parents,
parents can care about your business
Household chores
- rake leaves
- mow the lawn
- water plants
- pick the harvest
- take care of plants
- fertilize soil
- tidy the house
- clean the bathroom and toilet
- bite the dust
- polish furniture
- clean windows
- wash dishes
- wash clothes
- hang up clothes
TYPES OF BUILDINGS:
single-storey house/one-storey house-prízemný dom
high-rise/tower block-výšková budova
block of flats-obytný dom
office block-administratívna budova
skyscraper-mrakodrap
old people`s/sheltered house-starobinec,domov dôchodcov
three-room flat-3-izbový dom
bungalow-prízemný dom
detached house-samostatne stojaci dom
semi-detached house-dvojdom
terraced house-dom v radovej zástavbe
cottage-chalupa,vidiecky dom
mansion-veľká vila
manor-panské sídlo
chalet-horská chatka
lodge-horská chata
hostel-ubytovňa
lighthouse-maják
windmill-mlyn
hovel/hut-chatrč
inn-hostinec s ubytovaním
shed-šopa
pigsty-prasačí chliev
stable-stajňa
warehouse-sklad
barn-stodola
housing estate -sídlisko
BATHROOM:
towel rail-vešiak na uteráky
soap dish-miska na mydlo
vanity cabinet-kúpeľňová skrinka
washbasin-umývadlo
bath-vaňa
seat cover-záchodový poklop
tissue holder-držiak na toaletný papier
sliding door-posuvné dvere
shower hose-hadica sprchy
shower cubicle-sprchový kút
tap-kohútik
mirror-zrkadlo
bathmat-rohožka
bathrobe-župan
comb-hrebeň
hairbrush-kefa
soap-mydlo
tooth-brush-kefka
tooth-paste-pasta
towel-uterák
LIVING ROOM:
rocking chair-hojdacie kreslo
two-seater setee-dvojkreslo
chesterfield-čalunený diváň
ottoman-taburetka
glass-fronted display cabinet-vitrínová skriňa
bookcase-knižnica
vase-váza
cushion-vankúšik
flower stand-stojan na kvety
sideboard-kredenc,príborník
coctail cabinet-barová skrinka
display cabinet-vitrína
sofa bed-rozkladacia sedačka
coffee table-konferenčný stolík
candlestick-svietnik
fireplace-krb
BEDROOM:
armoire-skriňa
linen chest-bielizník
wardrobe-šatník
chiffonier-komoda
dressing table-toaletný stôl
bed linen-posteľná bielizeň
nursery-skladacia postieľka
changing table-prebaľovací stôl
cot-detská postieľka
cradle-kolíska
bunk bed-poschodová posteľ
bedspread-prehos cez posteľ
quilt/duvet-prešívaná prikrývka
curtains-záves
blinds-rolety
standard lamp-stojanová lampa
desk lamp-stolová lampa
hanging pendant-visiaca lampa
chandelier-luster
alarm-clock-budík
blanket-prikrývka
pillow-vankúš
rug-koberček
slippers-papuče
sheet-prestieradlo
KITCHEN:
bread bin-chlebník
cotander-cedidlo
cooker/stove-sporák
cupboard-príborník
dustbin/waste bin-odpadkový koš
frying-pan-panvica
kettle-kanvica
ladle-naberačka
oven-rúra
plate-tanier
rolling-pin-valček na cesto
saucepan-rajnica
scales-váhy
shelf-polička
sieve-sitko
sink-dres
sponge-špongia
earthware-keramické nádoby
cookware-riad na varenie
liquidizer-mixér
dishrach-odkvapkávač
tea towel-utierka
bucket/pail-vedro
kitchen utensil-kuchynské náčinie
coffee pot-konvica na kávu
pressure cooker-tlakový hrniec
tin-opener-otvárak na konzervy
tray-podnos
working desk-prac.doska
pantry-komora
FURNISHINGS:
light bulb-žiarovka
built-in cupboard-vstavaná skrinka
bracket shelf-závesná skrinka
upholstery-čalunenie,koberce,závesy
cane chair-prútené kreslo
piece of junk-bezcenná vec
antique-starožitnosť
family heirloom-rodinná pamiatka
wall-to-wall carpeting-koberce cez celú mietnosť
shaggy bedside rug-huňatý koberček pri posteli
banister-zábradlie
patio door-dvere na terasu
sheating-obloženie
shovel-lopata
convector heater-ohrievač
air purifier-čisťič vzduchu
recliner-lehátko
unit furniture-obývačková stena
steam iron-naparovacia žehlička
vacuum cleaner-vysávač
electric/gas cooker-elek./plynový sporák
refrigerator-chladnička
washing machine-práčka
dishwasher-umývačka
PARTS OF HOUSE:
basement-suterén
ground floor-prízemie
first floor-prvé poschodie
cellar-pivnica
lounge-hala
lobby-vestibul,predsieň
skylight-stropné okno
study-študovňa,pracovňa
playroom-detská izba
loft-povala
attic-podkrovie
dining recess-jedálenský kút
larder/pantry-komora
porch-veranda,krytý vchod
storage room-komora,sklad
hedge-živý plot
lawn-trávnik
pavement-chodník
driveway-príjazdová cesta
downpipe-dažďový zvod
gutter-odkvapová rúra
property line-hranica pozemku
ornamental tree-okrasný strom
patio-terasa
lightening conductor-bleskozvod
yard-dvor
flight of stairs-schody k hlavnému vchodu
main drain-hlavný odtok
treshold-prah
door handle-kľučka
lock-zámka
jalousie-žalúzie
hinge-pánt
shutter-okenica
