Номер 3, страница 19, часть 1 - гдз по английскому языку 10 класс учебник Демченко, Юхнель

3. a. Read another article. Are the inhabitants of these houses happy? Why (not)?

Developers say squeezing more houses into available space makes them cheaper. Britain's newly-built homes are the smallest in Western Europe and many are too small for family life, says a new report by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba). But what is living in a shoebox house like?

Retired sisters Susan and Dorothy bought their newly-built three-bedroom house in Devon four years ago. But they are already regretting their decision and trying to sell up.

Susan says: “We made a big mistake when we bought it. They call it a three-bedroom house – but really it’s only big enough for two.”

The largest double bedroom is just 11ft 2in by 8ft 2in (=3.4m × 2.5m), with barely enough room for a double bed. “It has a fitted wardrobe and I can just about squeeze in a little chest of drawers,” she adds. “But there’s no room for even a little chair to hang my clothes on overnight.”

The other two bedrooms are even smaller and downstairs the picture is the same. Says Dorothy: “There is just a small kitchen and a lounge-diner which means that there isn’t enough room for furniture or for space to eat and relax.”

The sisters sold their comparatively spacious two-bedroom house in Croydon to move to their current property – but found there was no room for many items of furniture, including their bookcases and lots of books, most of which ended up in charity shops.

Susan describes the cramped conditions that she shares with her sister as oppressive. “We are arguing much more than we used to simply because there’s no space to get away from one another.”

And they are not alone. According to the Riba, the most common three-bedroom house built in the last three years is smaller – about three quarters of the recommended minimum space. Another study found that families living in tiny, cramped conditions are more likely to be at risk of infections and depression.

But the Home Builders Federation said bigger homes could prove unaffordable.

3. b. According to the dictionary, the word squeeze may have a few meanings. Which of the meanings below does it have in the underlined sentences in ex. 3a?

a) to get liquid from sth by pressing;

b) press sth firmly;

c) to make sth fit into a very narrow or cramped space.

3. c. Read the article again and answer the questions.

1. Why are small houses being built?

2. What do their owners find so uncomfortable?

c. Прочтите статью еще раз и ответьте на вопросы.

1. Почему строятся маленькие дома?

2. Что их владельцы находят таким неудобным?

Ответ:

1. Because developers say squeezing more houses into available space makes them cheaper.

2. Their owners find the lack of space uncomfortable. The rooms are too small for necessary furniture, there is not enough space to eat and relax, and no personal space to get away from one another. Living in such cramped conditions can be oppressive, lead to more arguments, and increase the risk of infections and depression.

Перевод:

1. Потому что застройщики говорят, что размещение большего количества домов на имеющемся пространстве делает их дешевле.

2. Их владельцы считают неудобным недостаток места. Комнаты слишком малы для необходимой мебели, недостаточно места, чтобы поесть и отдохнуть, и нет личного пространства, чтобы уединиться. Жизнь в таких стесненных условиях может быть угнетающей, приводить к большему количеству ссор и повышать риск инфекций и депрессии.