Speed Reading — Living Space - Level 3 — 300 wpm 

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.

This is the text (if you need help).

A new study shows that some poor people in Hong Kong live in tiny homes. Residents from a housing alliance found that 204 families in their area live in homes that are smaller than prison cells. The families live in the Kwai Chung area of Hong Kong. The average living space per person was just 4.6 square meters. This is roughly the size of three toilet cubicles, or about half the size of a car parking space. The average size of a prison cell for Hong Kong's maximum security prisoners is about 50 per cent bigger than the size of the Kwai Chung homes. A 2016 government report stated that over 65 per cent of Hong Kong families live in homes that range between 7 and 14 square meters.

Hong Kong has one of the world's most expensive housing markets. Britain's 'Guardian' newspaper said an average resident would have to save for more than 18 years in order to pay for a tiny home. A member of the Kwai Chung housing alliance told reporters about how unhappy people are about living in such a small home. He said: "It is completely unacceptable and inhumane that the living area for people is the same as for prisoners in such a prosperous city like Hong Kong." Another resident said she could only afford a tiny room for her husband and six-year-old son. The room has a bunk bed, a closet and a small folding table. She said: "The bathroom is so small we have to sit sideways to go to the toilet."

Comprehension questions
  1. How small did the first sentence say people's homes were?
  2. How big was the average living space per person for the tiny homes?
  3. How big are the rooms compared to a parking space?
  4. How much bigger are maximum-security prison cells?
  5. What percent of Hong Kong families live in homes of up to 14 sq meters?
  6. How long does someone have to save to buy a home in Hong Kong?
  7. What kind of city did a housing alliance member call Hong Kong?
  8. Who lived with a woman in a tiny room?
  9. What kind of bed was in a woman's room?
  10. How does a lady have to sit on the toilet?

Back to the living space lesson.

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