Tasks to the Text

Task 1. Give English equivalents to the following Russian words and phrases. Find the sentences with them in the text and make up the sentences of your own in analogy.

столкнуться с проблемой обнаружить

пожарный приобрести знания

большинство из нас обсудить

выбор профессии привлечь других людей

обладать квалификацией для определенной работы

Task 2. Answer the questions. Use the text to help you to answer the questions. Give reasons for your answers

1. What is the most difficult problem for young people when they are about to leave school?

2. Why don the majority of young people hesitate what profession to choose?

3. When do they make a decision about an occupation?

4. What things do you have to think about when choosing an occupation?

5. What should one do to qualify for a particular job?

6. Whom can you turn to for advice when making a decision?

7. What is the most important part of the decision-making process?

Vocabulary 2.

Job Titles.

accountant gardener

baby sitter housepainter

baker interpreter

bank teller live-in-companion

barber/hair stylist manager

bus driver pharmacist

cashier plumber

computer programmer railroad conductor

construction worker receptionist

cook salesperson

doctor security guard

electrician sewing machine operator

employment counselor travel agent

florist waiter

Training exercises.

Ex.1. Study the list and think of corresponding personal traits, skills, responsibilities to match these occupations (consult Unit 2).

Ex.2. Analyze your abilities, interests and skills. What job is suitable for you? The following questions will help you.

1. What are my abilities?

2. What special talents do I have?

3. What are my special interests?

4. What are my physical abilities and limitations?

5. What are my attitudes and values?

6. How so I see myself or what is my self-concept?

7. What is my previous experience?

8. What are my educational plans for the future?

9. Am I the kind of person who works well in a large group, or do I work better with only one or two people?

10. Am I willing to accept change?

Ex.4. Family occupation tree.

a) Think about your family’s work history. Answer the following questions:

- Is there a tradition in your family of doing certain kind of work?

- What kind of work ethic do the members of your family have?

- What attitudes toward work have been passed from generation to generation?

b) Create family occupation tree. Draw a family tree and label each person’s name on it, list the jobs he/she held, and any special talents or skills they used.

c) Analyze your own family history and try to answer these questions:

- How many members have worked in similar occupations?

- Do you notice any family trends?

- Which relatives were particularly helpful/inspiring to other family members in career matters?

- Do you think the youngest generation will continue family traditions or create new patterns?

- Did location, educational opportunities or special talents influence any choices?

Ex.5. Analyze the responsibilities of representatives of different occupations. Choose one and report on:

- What the main job description is.

- What kind of training/education/talents are needed.

- Where they might work.

- If they would wear anything special.

- If they need any special tools or equipment.

- If the job is more suitable for man or a woman and why.

- If this job might pay well in Russia, in Europe or America.

- If you would have any interest in this occupation. Why or why not.

Accountant

Applies principles of accounting to analyze financial information and prepare financial reports: Compiles and analyzes financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, documenting business transactions. Analyzes financial information detailing assets, liabilities, and capital, and prepares balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and other reports to summarize current and projected company financial position, using calculator or computer.

Acrobat

Entertains audience by performing difficult and spectacular feasts, such as leaping, tumbling, and balancing, alone or as member of team. Originates act or adapts stock presentations. May use equipment, such as chairs and teeler board. May juggle.

Administrative secretary

Keeps official corporation records and executive administrative policies determined by or in conjunction with other officials: Prepares memorandums outlining and explaining administrative procedures and policies to supervisory workers. Plans conferences. Directs preparation of records, such as notices, minutes, and resolutions for stockholders and directors’ meetings. Directs recording of company stock issues and transfers. Acts as custodian of corporate documents and records.

Airplane-flight attendant

Performs variety of personal services conductive to safety and comfort of airline passengers during flight: Greets passengers, verifies tickets, records destinations, and directs passengers to assigned seats. Assists passengers to store carry-on luggage in overhead, garment, or under seat storage. Explains use of safety equipment, such as seat belts, oxygen masks, and life jackets. Walks aisle of plane to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to take off. Serves previously prepared meals and beverages. Observes passengers to detect signs of discomfort, and issues palliatives to relieve passenger ailments, such as airsickness and insomnia. Administrates first aid according to passenger distress when needed.

Animal trainer

Trains animals to obey commands, compete in shows, or perform tricks to entertain audience: Evaluates animal to determine temperament, ability, and aptitude for training. Conducts training program to develop desired behavior. May organize format of show. May conduct show. May cue or signal animal during performance. May rehearse animal according to script for motion picture or television film or stage or circus program. May train guard dog to protect property. May teach guide dog and master to function as team. Mau feed, exercise, and give general care to animal.

Appliance repairer

Repairs portable, household electrical appliances, such as fans, heaters, vacuum cleaners, toasters, and flatirons, on assembly line: Refers to inspector’s checklist, or defect-symbol marked on appliance, to identify defective or malfunctioning part. Disassembles appliance to remove defective part, using power screwdrivers, soldering iron, and handtools. Installs new part, and reassemble appliance. Records nature of repair in log or on mechanical counting device. Maintains stock of replacement parts.

Auctioneer

Sells articles to highest bidder: Appraises merchandise before sale and assembles merchandise in lots according to estimated value of individual pieces or type of article: Selects article to be auctioned at suggestion of bidders or by own choice. Appraises article and determines or asks for starting bid. Describes merchandise and gives information about article, such as history and ownership, in order to encourage bidding. Continues to ask for bids, attempting to stimulate buying desire of bidders. Closes sale to highest bidder. May write auction catalog and advertising copy to local or trade newspapers and periodicals.

B. Watch the film “Family Album, USA” (Episodes 21, 22 “A Big Fish in a Little Pond”, “Carrier choices”). Follow the directions in the Appendix “Traditions and Habits of American People.”

Topics for discussion

1. Speak on the occupations of your family members. Try to make grounds for your considerations.

2. Say whether it was difficult for you to make a decision about your future occupation. Who helped you to find the right decision?

Unit 5

East or West – Home is Best

I. Phonetic Training

Read the rhymes, train their reading.

'Mr. 'Shott and 'Mr. 'Nott A 'cup of 'coffee hot

Ag'reed to 'fight a duel. In a 'proper 'coffee pot.

'Nott was shot but 'Shott was not

So, it’s 'better to be Shott than Nott.

2. Learn the tongue twister:

Whether the weather be nice.

Or whether the weather be not.

Whether the weather be cold.

Or whether the weather be hot.

We’ll weather the weather.

Whatever the weather.

Whatever we like it or not.

A twister of twists once twisted a twist

And the twist that he twisted

Was a three twisted twist.

Now in twisting this twist,

If a twist should untwist,

Would the twist that untwisted

Untwist the twists.

3. Listen to the song, learn it by heart and sing:

My Bonny

I

My Bonny is over the ocean,

My Bonny is over the sea,

My Bonny is over the ocean,

Oh, bring back my Bonny to me.

Rf

Bring back, bring back,

Bring back, my Bonny to me.

II

Last night when I lay on my pillow,

Last night when I lay in my bed,

Last night when I lay on my pillow,

I dreamed that my Bonny was dead.

Rf

III

Oh, blow ye, winds over the ocean,

Oh, blow ye, winds over the sea,

Oh, blow ye, winds over the ocean,

Oh, bring back my Bonny to me.

IV

The winds have blown over the ocean,

The winds have blown over the sea,

The winds have blown over the ocean,

And brought back my Bonny to me.

Brought back, brought back,

Brought back my Bonny to me.

4. Intonation of different types of questions in the English language.

a) General Questions (The answer to which is “yes” or “no”).

E.g. Is your family large?

Are you planning any trip abroad this summer?

Have you had any meals today?

Have you been married long?

Do you usually begin your day with morning exercises?

Did you make the decision of your marriage yourself?

b) Special questions (The questions beginning with an interrogative word and requiring a full answer).

E.g. What would you like for breakfast?

Where have you been all the morning?

Why did you marry him?

How many relatives have you got on your mother’s side?

How old is your father?

What color are the eyes of your brother?

How long does it take you to get to your job by the underground?

Who can answer this question?

Which of these bags is yours?

c) Alternative questions (Questions, which suggest a choice and require a full answer).

E.g. Would you like tea or coffee?

Are you going to have your celebration dinner at home or in a restaurant?

Have you done this job yourself or did anybody help you?

d) Disjunctive (or Tag-) questions (The questions, when you are almost sure what your interlocutor will answer. The answer usually confirms your opinion?)

E.g. You are about 30, aren’t you?

She has already made her choice, hasn’t she?

You’d like to talk to you relatives, wouldn’t you?

He was born before the war started, wasn’t he?

He hadn’t been able to cook dinner before she came, had he?

The waiter didn’t suggest you their dish of the day, did he?

II. Grammar Revision

Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous (Revision).

Training exercises:

Ex.1. Use the proper present form.

1. Her children (to be) in the yard. They (to play) football now. They (to play) it since ten o’clock.

2. She (to speak) English well. She (to study) it for five years. Listen! She (to speak) English to her teacher.

3. Why she (to look) tired? – She (to work) all night.

4. Since when they (to wait) for us? – They (to wait) for half an hour. We (to be) late.

5. What they (to do) now? – They (to discuss) a very important problem. They (to discuss) it for two hours; but they (not to reach) the agreement yet.

6. I never (to suppose) that he can cook. He (to be) in the kitchen now. He (to cook) for an hour and he already (to prepare) some tasty dishes.

7. The weather (to be) fine today. There (to be) no clouds in the sky, the warm wind (to blow). The sun (shine) since early morning.

8. Why you (not to like) this woman? – I (to hate) since I met her.

9. I can say nothing about this ballet as I (not to see) it.

Ex.2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present forms.

James Dyson, millionaire inventor and successful British businessman, ( to surprise ) his country by deciding to move production to the Far East.

The 54-year-old design engineer (to be) well-known for his invention of a powerful vacuum cleaner that (to operate) without a bag. Dyson spent 15 years trying to persuade the banks to support his ideas and enable him to set up production of the new vacuum cleaners. He (to run) a business in a small town in the west of England for 6 years and his factory (toproduce) 8.000 vacuum cleaner a day. Moving the main production facility to Malaysia will result in a loss of 800 jobs. Both the UK government and the unions (to express) their horror at the decision.

The company, which employs 1,800 people in total, (to say) it (to decide) to move production because of the success of a plant it established in Malaysia two years ago. Labour costs at the Malaysia plant (to rise) now only to £1.50 an hour: in the UK they (to rise) to £4.10 an hour. But the quality of the Malaysia cleaners (to be) as high as the British-made ones.

A number of other companies also (to move ) production to lower cost countries in recent months. Many people (to fear) for the future of British manufacturing if this trend continues.

Dyson (to believe) the move will enable the company to cut production costs by 30 percent. He (to plan) to put savings into research and development in a drive to create new technology productions for the future. The R&D department (to remain) in Britain.

At present the company having achieved the sales of £220 million in 2000 (to spend) around 10 percent of turnover on new product development. Dyson (to describe) R&D as the ‘heart and soul’ of the business. He (to say) the decision to cut back the UK workforce ( to be) a sad and difficult one.

Ex.3. Open the brackets using the proper present form.

1.

- Jane, what Bob (to do) there?

- He (to lose) his books and he (to look for) them all the afternoon.

- He needn’t look for them. They are here; they (to lie) here all the while.

2.

- I say, what your brother (to do)?

- He is a writer. He (to write) a novel for the last two years, but he (not to finish) it yet. He (not to collect) the necessary material for the second part, and now he (to work) in the library.

3.

- – Hello, Ann. Why don’t you come over to see Helen? She (to fall) ill and (to be) in bed.

- Oh, what a pity. What (to be) wrong with her?

- The doctor (to say), she (to have) the grippe.

4.

- – Where is Ann? I (to look for) her since morning.

- She (to take) her exam in English. You know she (to fail) it.

- Oh, I’m sorry. She (not to come) to the party then tonight, is she?

- I’m afraid, not. The teacher (to examine) her far an hour already and she (to come out) yet.

5.

- – Where (to be) John? I (not to see) him for ages.

- I (not to know). Maybe, he (to have a rest) in the country now.

Ex.4. Develop the given clauses into a complex or compound sentence.

Model:

... it is snowing hard…

The temperature has been gradually falling and now it is snowing hard.

or:

It is snowing hard, so the children have taken out their sleds.

or:

The weather has suddenly changed and it is snowing hard, though it seldom ever snows in these parts.

1. … the sun has risen…

2. … dark clouds are gathering…

3. … the river has frozen…

4. … my friend has been skating…

5. … something very interesting is taking place…

6. … the trees have burst into blossom…

Ex.5. Translate the following situations into English paying attention to the use of the present forms. The verbs in brackets will help you to choose the correct form of the predicate.

1.

Видишь того человека на углу на перекрестке? (to see). Это частный детектив. Следит за 24-ым домом (to watch).

- Откуда знаешь, что он следит за этим домом?

- А потому что, когда кто-нибудь выходит (to come out) из дома или заходит в дом (to go into), он что-то записывает в блокнот (to make notes).

2.

- Где мой ноутбук, Ищу везде (to look for) и не могу найти.

- Том взял его (to take). У него – важные переговоры вечером (to have). Он демонстрирует слайды.

3. Телефонный разговор

- Слушай! Просматривают старый альбом с фотографиями (to look through). Здесь так много людей, имена которых я даже не помню (to remember). Я совершенно их забыл (to forget). Интересно, кто они и что с ними произошло за эти годы? (to happen)

4.

Секретарь: Все утро звонят клиенты и жалуются, что получили ошибочные счета (to ring up, to complain to get wrong bills).

Управляющий: Я знаю, что что-то случилось с компьютером (to go wrong). Механик работает (to work on). Надеюсь, он скоро найдет (find out), в чем дело.

5.

- Что там делают все эти люди посреди улицы (to do)? И почему на них такая странная одежда? (to wear)

- Там снимают фильм (to make). А толпа – это местные (local people), которые задействованы в массовке (work as extras).

- Забавно (to sound as great fun). Как ты считаешь, я могу получить работу в массовке (to get a job)?

- Не знаю (to know). А вон я вижу (to see) Анну. Когда они закончат (to finish) эту сцену, я спрошу (to ask) нужны ли им еще люди в массовку (to work as extras).

- А сама Анна снимается (to act)?

- Да, но у нее маленькая роль. Она не очень хорошая актриса. А снимается (to act) в этом фильме, потому что знает хорошо директора.

III. Home or House?

Vocabulary 1:

house	дом (строение)
home	дом (домашний очаг, уют)
housekeeper	}экономка, распорядительница в доме }домохозяйка
housemaid housewife homemaker
house bound (having to stay at home)	привязанный к дому
housemates	домочадцы
housework (cleaning the rooms, tidying, washing up, ironing, etc.)	работа по дому
to feel (make) oneself at home	чувствовать себя уютно, как дома: не стесняться.
motherland (homeland)	родина
home town	родной дом
homeless	бездомный
home-for the elderly	дом для престарелых
homework	домашняя работа (работа, заданная на дом или выполняемая дома)
home-made	домашний
househusband	муж, занимающийся домашним хозяйством

Training exercise:

Ex1. Answer the following questions:

1. Do you live in the house or flat? How large is it?

2. Do you have a housekeeper at home? Why?

3. Whom can we call housebound?

4. Whom do we call a housewife or a househusband?

5. When do we usually say “Feel (make) yourself at home”?

6. How can a person become homeless?

7. Do you usually have much homework?

8. What food would you prefer: restaurant or home-made?

Vocabulary 2:

an apartment house	многоквартирный дом
a multistoried building	высотное здание
(a) dwelling (house)	жилище
a dwelling place	местожительство (обычно в анкетах и документах)
residence	большой шикарный дом
a private residence	загородный дом
a country house	загородный дом, дача
a cottage	коттедж
a lodging, lodgment	жилье
a ranch-type house	ранчо, одноэтажный дом в сельской местности
condominium	жилой комплекс со своей инфраструктурой, находящийся в собственности жильцов
counsel house	жилой дом, находящийся в собственности городских властей
tenement house	дешевый многоквартирный дом, сдаваемый в наем
palace	дворец
castle	замок
barrack	барак, казарма
studio	студия (квартира, не разделенная на отдельные помещения)
a detached house	отдельный дом, не примыкающий стеной к другим

Training exercises:

Ex.1. Choose the correct words from the list above for the following definitions:

- an apartment house with cheap flats to let;

- a house owned by the city administration;

- a private block of flats owned by the dwellers, which has its own infrastructure;

- usually a one- or two-storey private house;

- a house out of town;

- a large house owned by someone;

- a house with many flats;

- a place to live (general word);

- a house of more than 20 floors;

- a luxurious house or apartment;

- a shabby one- or two-storey house for several families to live in, actually it is the block of flats;

- a house which stands alone and is not joined to any other;

- a flat which is not divided into rooms.

Ex.2. Translate the following extracts; pay attention to the types of dwellings mentioned in them. Find adequate Russian words to render the meaning correctly. Consult the vocabulary list above.

1. Houses or flats? Every New Town has to face this problem. It was accepted that some proportion of the dwelling to be built should take the form of flats; but what should the proportion be? Some attempts had been made to assess the probable dimensions of the demand for flats. There are certain categories of tenants who are likely to prefer a flat and not want to be bothered with gardening: unmarried people of either sex, and the elderly or infirm; but the majority are clear that what they want is a house and garden. A little guidance was also forthcoming from the sociologists. A young couple should start their married life in a flat.

2. In many parts of England cottages are built in a long new, each house joined to the next one and each with a small yard at the back, and a still smaller one at the front.

3. American apartments are usually described as one-bedroom (studio apartments) two-bedroom or three-bedroom apartments. Two- and three-room apartments usually have a connecting living room; frequently they have two bathrooms.

There are two types of apartments: a rented apartment and a condominium, which an individual owns rather than rents. In addition there are tow-houses which are joint houses or apartments in a compact planned group in a town.

4. A mobile home is the cheapest form of housing that can be purchased. Mobile homes can be moved from place to place by trucks. Mobile homes are located in special mobile home parks, which are sometimes called mobile villages. They are usually on the outskirts of cities. Retired people and young people with low income reside in mobile homes which can be purchased or rented.

Vocabulary 3.

The interior of the house:

hall	прихожая
coat-rack	вешалка
chest of drawers for shoes	ящик для обуви
a hanger	плечики
living-room	гостиная
wall-units	стенка
stereo system	стереосистема
upholstered suite (furniture)	мягкая мебель
indoor plants	комнатные растения
bedroom flat two-bedroom flat	спальня
dressing table	туалетный столик
nursery (children’s room)	детская
a bunk-bed	двухъярусная кровать
drop-flat writing surface	откидной столик
kitchen	кухня
upright freezer	морозильная камера
a kitchen cupboard	сервант
cooker unit (gas cooker, electric cooker)	кухонная плита (газовая плита, электрическая плита)
sink unit	мойка
bathroom	ванная
mixer tap	смеситель
a study	кабинет
a dining-room	столовая
a bathroom cabinet	шкафчик для ванной

Training exercises:

Ex.1. Complete the description:

Model: The bedroom – that’s where you sleep.

The kitchen – ____________________

The bathroom – __________________

The lounge (living-room) – ______________

The dining-room – _______________

A spare room – ___________________

A study – _______________________

A utility-room (laundry) – _______________

A nursery – ______________________

Ex.2. Explain the difference between the following pairs of words:

a hall – a corridor

a study – a cabinet

a living room – a sitting room

a coat rack – a hanger

upholstered furniture – upholstered suite

a suite of furniture – a piece of furniture

flowers – indoor plants

a two-bedroom flat (apartment) – a two-room flat

a nursery – a children’s room

a bed – a bunk-bed

a drop-flat writing surface – a desk

a refrigerator – an upright freezer

a cooker unit – an oven

Vocabulary 4.

to let	сдавать внаем
to rent	снимать комнату (квартиру)
to purchase a house (flat)	покупать дом (квартиру)
mortgage	ипотечный кредит
to mortgage a house (flat)	вступить в ипотеку
down payment	первоначальный взнос
to pay interest	выплачивать проценты
interest rate	процентная ставка
to take a loan	взять кредит
to lend money	давать деньги взаймы
to borrow money from smb.	занимать деньги у кого-либо (брать взаймы)
a real estate agency	агентство по торговле недвижимостью
a real estate agent	агент по недвижимости
to advertise for a house	рекламировать дом
to inherit a house (to get as a heritage)	наследовать дом
freehold	полная собственность на недвижимость, землю
to lease	сдавать или снимать дом (квартиру) по договору
to charge for the services	арендовать помещение

Training exercises:

Ex.1. Find in the list above the words and word-combinations which match the following explanations:

- an office which arranges for the sales of homes;

- to ask as a price for services;

- a person who is engaged in arranging for the sales or purchase of homes;

- to present or praise goods or services to the public in order to encourage sales;

- to give, take possession of land, flat, farm, etc.;

- to receive property as heir;

- land or other real estate in absolute ownership;

- give the use of smth in return for regular money payments;

- to give money to smb for a certain period of time;

- to take money for a certain period of time;

- to have use of in return for regular payments;

- to give smb a claim as a security for payment of a debt or loan.

Ex.2. Answer the questions:

- Who is an estate agent?

- What does a person usually do when he wants to benefit from selling the house?

- What is a person recommended to do when he wants to buy a house or a flat?

- You want to live in a place of your own, but you haven’t enough money. What are the possible ways out of this situation?

- What does a bank usually charge if you borrow money from it.

- Sometimes you may receive a house or money or smth after someone has died. What verb is used to denote this action?

Ex.3. Give a response to the following statements or questions:

Model:

- I’d like to buy a flat and was recommended to consult a real estate agent.

- That’s the right thing to do. The nearest agency is just round the corner.

a) – I inherited a ranch-type house from my uncle abroad.

- …

b) - I’m registered in a counsel house. Now when I’ve saved enough money I want to buy a flat. What would you advise me to do?

- …

c) - I’ve been living in a tenement house for a long time.

- …

d) – I’d like to change dwelling place.

- …

e) – A sky-scraper is rather a dangerous place to rent an office.

- …

f) – It is rather expensive to take care of a cottage in Chita.

- …

g) – As far as I know a ranch-type house is a two-story house out of town.

- …

h) – I’d rather live in a block of flats than alone in a private residence.

- …

i) I’d like to borrow some money from the bank to buy a summer cottage.

- …

j) As far as I know I need some collateral or guarantor to borrow money from the bank.

- …

k) I hear, the interest rate in Sberbank is the highest.

- …

Vocabulary 5.

to keep house	вести домашнее хозяйство
a homemaker a housewife	домохозяйка
household appliances	бытовые приборы
electric ironing machine steam, spray and dry iron	утюг с терморегулятором
automatic washing machine	стиральная машина-автомат
tumble drier	центрифуга
vacuum cleaner	пылесос
to tidy up	наводить порядок, делать уборку
to wipe, to dust	вытирать пыль
to watch up	стирать
house chores [t∫ z]	домашние дела
a thorough “turn out”	генеральная уборка
to wash the dishes	мыть посуду
to repair (redecorate) the flat	делать ремонт
to make the bed	заправлять постель
to press the clothes	гладить белье

Training exercises:

Ex.1. Answer the questions:

a) Who keeps house in your family?

b) Is your mother a homemaker?

c) What household appliances have you got at home?

d) How often do you tidy up?

e) Who cleans your room?

f) How often do you wipe or dust the furniture?

g) How often do you do a thorough “turn out”?

h) Do you repair your flat yourselves or do you have it repaired?

i) What household chores do you consider to be the most boring?

j) What works about the house do you do every day and what is done once in a month (season, year)?

Ex.2. Here are two opinions about homes and houses. What words can you use while describing:

a) your home;

b) a home you wouldn’t like to have;

c) a home of your neighbour (friend, relative, etc.)

I convenient light well-furnished enormous cozy luxurious big modern huge expensive fashionable spacious tidy historic bright

II dark shabby draughty poorly-furnished old tiny empty noisy untidy gloomy cheap cold haunted

Ex.3. Imagine a house of the 21st century, where everything is computerized. What would you ask the computers to do for you? Begin the sentences with

I would ask a computer…

Some expressions to help you:

- to prepare a bath for me while I am away at the Institute;

- to suck up dust as soon as it lands;

- to arrange that I should be followed by music programmed to calm me down, when I’m at home;

- to tell me how to cook anything I can think of;

- to communicate with neighbouring computerized houses if necessary, etc.

A. Read the text and do the exercises after it.

Buying a House

There are two types of organizations which are central to the buying of houses and flats.

The first is the estate agent. An estate agency is, essentially, a shop which arranges for the sale of homes.

Let us imagine that Mr. and Mrs Smith want to sell their house. First, they ask one or more local estate agents to visit the house and tell then how much the agent will charge for his services (usually between 1% and 2% of the selling price). If the Smiths are happy with his proposals, the agent will publish details of the house in the form of giveaway leaflets and possibly in the local or even national newspapers. The leaflet will describe the house in detail, describing the position, number and sizes of its rooms, the garden and soon.

Mr. and Mrs Smith then wait for prospective buyers to arrive.

Imagine that Mr. and Mrs Johnson want to buy a house in the same area. They go to the estate agency and inspect the details of the houses on offer. If they are attracted by the description of the Smiths’ house, they will visit the property to look at it. If they are still interested after seeing the house they may make an offer to the Smiths via the estate agent. Often the offer will be slightly less than the official “asking” price. If the Smiths agree, the house can be sold.

But the Johnsons probably do not have enough money to pay for the house immediately, so what do they do? They go to the second type of institution involved in house buying and selling – the building society.

A building society’s main function is to lend people like the Johnsons enough money to buy a house. Banks also offer a similar service.

Building societies make their money by borrowing money from some members of the public – their “depositors” – and lending it to others. Many British people have building society savings accounts. They save their money with a building society, which pays them interest. The society then lends this money to people who want to buy a house or flat and charges them a higher interest rate on the amount borrowed. This long-term loan is called a “mortgage”.

So Mr. and Mrs. Johnson go to a local building society where they will be asked a number of questions – what type of jobs do they have? How much do they earn? What are their monthly expenses? And so on. The society will also inspect the house to see if it is worth the money they are being asked to lend. All being well, it will offer to lend the Johnsons up to about 90 per cent of the price of the house, to be paid back with interest over 25 years, or sometimes less. When all is agreed and the papers signed, the money is paid to the Smiths or to their legal representative – usually a solicitor – and the Johnsons can move in.

Over the 25 years, the Johnsons, because of the interest on the loan, will pay far more than the original price of the house – but since they are paying it in fairly small sums once a month they are, at least, able to afford it.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-24