Page 85 - Conversation 1

Outlines

In this segment, hosts Marco and Erica introduce a special English lesson
aimed at helping learners describe an apartment or house, whether they are
currently searching for one or not. They discuss the importance of knowing

vocabulary related to apartment hunting. Key terms introduced include 'landlord',
defined as the owner of the property who rents it out, and 'tenants', who are the
individuals renting the apartment or house. The hosts encourage listeners to pay
attention to the dialogue that follows, where these terms will be used in context.

This part of the script focuses on the characteristics and measurements of an
apartment. The hosts discuss 'square footage', explaining it as a measure of the area

of a room or building. They provide examples of how to use 'square footage' in
sentences, emphasizing that it is a term used within the imperial system of
measurement. Additionally, they touch upon 'appliances', defining them as

machines used in the house, with a specific focus on 'professional grade'
appliances, which are of high quality and suitable for professional use. The
dialogue illustrates these concepts with a scenario where a couple is viewing a
newly renovated apartment with updated kitchen appliances.

The script presents a dialogue where a couple, the Christensens, view an
apartment that has been recently renovated by the landlord. The apartment features

bright and airy spaces, hardwood floors, and new kitchen appliances, including a
professional grade gas range. The hosts discuss the payment terms for the
apartment, which include a deposit of the first and last month's rent. However, the

dialogue takes an unexpected turn when the couple is informed that the cleanup
crew has not yet finished in the master bedroom's en-suite bathroom, hinting at a
potential issue with the apartment.

In this segment, the hosts discuss the cultural differences in real estate
practices, particularly in the context of renting apartments. They note that using a
real estate agent is uncommon in America for renting purposes, with most

individuals dealing directly with landlords after finding listings in newspapers or
online. The hosts invite listeners to share their experiences and knowledge about

real estate and renting practices in their countries, encouraging the use of the
vocabulary introduced in the dialogue to describe their own apartments.