The Keans

The Millers

George and Sandy Miller and their children, Helen (17) and Daniel (8), had а shock when they first saw the Keanes’ three-bedroom terraced house in Gloucester. “It’s so small!” said Sandy. Where will we all sleep?”

However inside, the house was more welcoming. But the kids weren’t impressed. “Mum and Dad’s room was OK, but our bedrooms were really small!” complained Daniel. The Millers found it difficult to live in а house with only one bathroom. At home they have two bathrooms and three toilets! “And we have а study, where we keep the computer, and а playroom in the basement,” said Helen. “In Gloucester we had to all stay in the living room together or go to our bedrooms.” So was there anything positive about the house? “The house was beautifully decorated,” said Sandy, “and it was very cozy. The carpets, the central heating and а real fire in the living room made the atmosphere warm especially when the weather was terrible.” Another good point for George was the garden. “We were very surprised by the large garden at the back of the house. The Keanes had put а lot of work into it. It was well designed and full of beautiful plants and flowers. I think British people have an obsession with houses and gardens – there are so many TV programmes about them!”

Tim and Katy Keane and their children, Bethany (8), Charles (9) and Joe (16), couldn’t believe their luck when they arrived at Washington Drive, Greenville. ”The houses were all enormous,” said Tom. “I expected to see film stars coming out of them!”

The Millers’ house has five bedrooms, а study, two bathrooms and an extra downstairs toilet. “Our bedroom was huge, and it was lovely having an en-suite,” said Katy. “It was like staying in а hotel!” “Children were always in the computer room, in the basement or outdoors,” says Tim. “ The Millers had sports equipment and а barbecue in their yard,” said Joe. “And their neighbours had а swimming pool, which we often used. It was great!” ”The children really enjoyed the yard,” said Katy, “but I found it а bit dull. I like nice English gardens with lots of flowers. All the Millers had were а few trees.” And Katy didn’t like the décor of the house. “It was all very smart and clean,” she said, “but it wasn’t very colorful. It’s obvious that Americans spend more time outdoors than the British! And we had а lot of problems to operate the Millers’ complicated security system and alarms.

4. Match the people with their opinions of the house they stayed in.

1. George Miller 2. Sandy Miller 3. Helen Miller 4. Daniel Miller 5. Tim Keane 6. Katy Keane 7. Bethany Keane

а) “It was strange not having separate rooms for using the computer and playing games.”   b) “I loved playing and eating outdoors!”   c) “The house was so big it looked like it belonged to а famous person!”   d) “I was really impressed by the garden.”   e) “Two of the bedrooms were too small.”   f) ”The house was warm and colourful.”   g) “I didn’t like the garden or the décor much.”

5. Look at the tables of scores for the two houses. Which house scored the most in each category?

The Millers’ scores for the Keanes’ house	Your scores
Space:	4/10
Comfort:	6/10
Decoration:	8/10
Garden:	10/10
Total	28/40

The Keanes’ scores for the Millers’ house	Your scores
Space:	8/10
Comfort:	7/10
Decoration:	6/10
Garden:	15/10
Total	26/40

6. Complete ‘Your scores’ column. Discuss the results with your partner.

7. Which house sounds nicer to you – the English house or the American one?

8. Would you like to try living in another family’s house for two weeks?

9. How do the Millers’ and the Keanes’ houses differ from homes in your country?

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27