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Conversation Advance · Module 5 · Unit 22

Pros and Cons of Rural Life

C1 Advanced

Learning Objectives

Today, you will explore the ideal living environment and discover useful words and expressions for everyday situations.

Discussion

Direction: Answer these questions.
  1. What are the non-negotiables for your ideal home?
  2. Do you prefer a modern, minimalist home or something cozy and traditional?
  3. How does your environment impact your daily happiness?

New Words & Expressions

Direction: Listen and repeat these words with your teacher.

  • Proximity

    noun

    /prɒkˈsɪmɪti/

    Meaning:The state of being near in space or time.

    I love the proximity of my house to the local shops.

    Real Life Tip:

    Often a deciding factor in real estate.

  • Amenities

    noun

    /əˈmiːnɪtiz/

    Meaning:Useful or desirable features of a place, like pools or parks.

    The apartment complex has great amenities like a gym and roof deck.

    Real Life Tip:

    Highly advertised in urban living contexts.

  • Settle in

    phrasal verb

    /ˈsetl ɪn/

    Meaning:To become comfortable in a new home or job.

    It took us a few months to fully settle in to our new house.

    Real Life Tip:

    Refers to the process of making a house a home.

  • Home is where the heart is

    idiom

    /hoʊm ɪz wɛr ðə hɑːrt ɪz/

    Meaning:You feel most at home where the people you love are.

    Whether it is city or country, home is where the heart is.

    Real Life Tip:

    A comforting phrase about emotional connection to home.

  • Vibe

    slang

    /vaɪb/

    Meaning:The atmosphere or feeling of a place.

    This neighborhood has such a cool, artistic vibe.

    Real Life Tip:

    Extremely common in conversational English.

Conversation

Direction:

  • Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
  • Role-play the conversation with your teacher
Daniel and Rachel are looking at interior design photos and talking about what makes a house feel like home.
  • Daniel
    This house has a great vibe, but is the proximity to town good enough?
  • Rachel
    It is a bit far, but it has amazing amenities like a garden.
  • Daniel
    True. I guess we just need to settle in and see how we feel.

Q&A

Direction: Answer the questions based on the conversation.
  1. What is Daniel worried about regarding the house?
  2. What does Rachel like about the house?
  3. What is the final decision?

Exercise

Direction: Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence, then read it aloud. Each question gives you 5 Points.

  1. What is proximity?

  2. What are amenities?

  3. We need time to ____ in to the new place.

  4. The neighborhood has a really cool ____.

  5. home / is / heart / where / the / is

  6. is / ideal / location / this / my

Ask Your Teacher

Direction: Ask your teacher these questions.
  1. How important is proximity to work when choosing an ideal home?
  2. Do amenities significantly affect your decision to rent or buy a home?
  3. How do you create a specific vibe in your own home?

Your Time To Speak

Direction: Answer using the language you have learned in this lesson. Talk about yourself!
  1. How do I know if a house is my ideal living environment?
  2. What is the hardest part about settling in to a new city?
  3. Are amenities worth the extra cost in an apartment complex?
  4. How does the vibe of a neighborhood change over time?
  5. Should I prioritize proximity over space?
  6. What are some ways to make a house feel like home quickly?
  7. Is it possible to have an ideal home in a non-ideal location?
  8. How do I talk to my partner about our differing housing needs?
  9. What should I look for in an ideal home for a family?
  10. How do I define home when I move often?
Rachel
Exactly. At the end of the day, home is where the heart is.
  • Daniel
    You are right. It is about the people, not just the location.
  • Rachel
    So, shall we schedule a viewing for this weekend?
  • Daniel
    Definitely. Let us see if it feels right in person.
  • Rachel
    Perfect. I am excited to see it.