Text 4. Home, Sweet Home

It is common knowledge that there is no place like home. To the British their homes are important. They are dedicated to them, they give them a lot of time and effort, looking after their homes with much love, care and enthusiasm.

More than half of British families own their homes (houses or flats). Others live in council accommodation and some people rent from private owners.

There are three main types of houses that people live in: detached, semi-detached, terraced. A detached house is the most expensive type of home. It stands its own land and is not attached to another building. Such houses have privacy from neighbours, and they are ideal for keen gardeners who can devote plenty of time to work in their garden. A semi-detached house is joined to the house next door by a shared wall. A house of this kind is less expensive than a detached house, but still offers a good standard of privacy and comfort. It usually has a small garden at front and a larger garden at the back. A terraced house is usually two- or three-storeys high. It is one of a continuous row of similar houses, joined together by their side walls. Many rows of terraced houses were originally built for workers in nearby. Factories or coalmines a terraced house usually costs less than a semi-detached or detached house of similar size. There are miles of terraced in most towns. Over a quarter of British families live in them.

There are also other types of buildings in which people live: apartment blocks, bungalows, country cottages. Bungalows are one-storey houses, which are particularly popular with older people. Apartment blocks are high-rise blocks of flats, which provide accommodation for a lot of city dwellers. But these buildings are not very popular. About 20% of the population live in flats. There are more flats in cities than in rural areas. Most people in Britain traditionally like to live in houses.

1. Answer the following questions.

1. What kinds of home are in Britain?

2. Give characteristics each of them.

3. What types of home is the most expensive?

4. Are detached, semi-detached, terraced house, apartment blocks, bungalows, country cottages and council accommodation in our country?