The Reading / Listening - London Property - Level 6

Even though house prices are sky-rocketing around the world, one property's price tag in London is raising eyebrows. A house billed as "the skinniest" in London is on the market for $1.3 million. In other areas of the UK, one could purchase a spacious seven-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds for that sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is being sold by real estate agent Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and was converted by a fashion photographer - the ultimate designer house....It's quirky and charming and great for entertaining."

The eye-catching property is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dining room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with a spiral staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom and roof terrace. The main bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its cramped space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-a-kind abode. It said: "The interior design has the bespoke approach of a luxury yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is ideal for a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will snap it up. It is a unique part of London history. It's a bit of London magic."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    London Property - Level 4  or  London Property - Level 5

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/london-thinnest-house-sale-scli-intl-gbr/index.html
  • https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13989405/londons-narrowest-house-950000/
  • https://www.winkworth.co.uk/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. PROPERTY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about property. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       house prices / sky-rocketing / eyebrows / spacious / mansion / skinny / hat shop /
       kitchen / dining room / staircase / terrace / luxury / yacht / young couple / magic
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. HOUSE PRICES: Students A strongly believe the government should control house prices so everyone can afford a house; Students B strongly believe that's not good. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ABODE: What are the pros and cons of these abodes (places to live)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Pros

Cons

Mansion

 

 

Apartment

 

 

Igloo

 

 

House

 

 

Tree house

 

 

Tent

 

 

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. MANSION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "mansion". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ROOMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best rooms at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Living room
  • Bedroom
  • Toilet
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Dining Room
  • Games Room
  • Study

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. sky-rocketing a. Causing people to be surprised or disapproving.
      2. tag b. A price, rate, or amount that is increasing very steeply or rapidly.
      3. raising eyebrows c. Acquire something by paying for it; buy.
      4. purchase d. Having lots of room; covering a wide area.
      5. spacious e. A label attached to someone or something for the purpose of identification or to give other information (like price).
      6. sprawling f. Characterized by peculiar or unexpected features or qualities.
      7. quirky g. Spread out over a large area.

    Paragraph 2

      8. eye-catching h. Constantly turning in one direction as it rises.
      9. spiral i. Made for a particular customer or user.
      10. study j. Immediately appealing or noticeable; striking.
      11. cramped k. A room used or designed for reading, writing, or academic work.
      12. bespoke l. A way of dealing with something.
      13. approach m. Uncomfortable because of a lack of space.
      14. unique n. Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says house prices are sky-rocketing around the world.     T / F
  2. The house for sale in London has seven bedrooms.     T / F
  3. The house for sale in London is five floors high.     T / F
  4. The house in London used to be a tie shop.     T / F
  5. The skinny house is 8 metres in length.     T / F
  6. The house has a spiral staircase that connects two of the floors.     T / F
  7. The agent said the house is good for old people.     T / F
  8. The agent said a magician used to live in the house.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. sky-rocketing
  2. spacious
  3. sprawling
  4. real estate
  5. quirky
  6. eye-catching
  7. cramped
  8. approach
  9. ideal
  10. magic
  1. perfect
  2. extending
  3. method
  4. distinctive
  5. roomy
  6. charm
  7. eccentric
  8. shooting up
  9. confined
  10. property

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. house prices are sky-rocketing
  2. raising
  3. A house billed as
  4. a spacious seven-bedroom mansion
  5. It's quirky
  6. The eye-
  7. a spiral
  8. it is a one-of-a-
  9. making the most
  10. a unique part
  1. "the skinniest" in London
  2. of London history
  3. and charming
  4. staircase
  5. eyebrows
  6. kind abode
  7. around the world
  8. of small spaces
  9. with sprawling grounds
  10. catching property

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
sprawling
converted
rocketing
entertaining
spacious
quirky
eyebrows
real

Even though house prices are sky-(1) _____________________ around the world, one property's price tag in London is raising (2) _____________________. A house billed as "the skinniest" in London is on the market for $1.3 million. In other areas of the UK, one could purchase a (3) _____________________ seven-bedroom mansion with (4) _____________________ grounds for that sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is being sold by (5) _____________________ estate agent Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and was (6) _____________________ by a fashion photographer - the ultimate designer house....It's (7) _____________________ and charming and great for (8) _____________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
cramped
bespoke
point
unique
roof
individual
spiral
abode

The eye-catching property is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest (9) _____________________ and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dining room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with a (10) _____________________ staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom and (11) _____________________ terrace. The main bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its (12) _____________________ space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-a-kind (13) _____________________. It said: "The interior design has the (14) _____________________ approach of a luxury yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is ideal for a young couple or an (15) _____________________ who sees the beauty for what it is and will snap it up. It is a (16) _____________________ part of London history. It's a bit of London magic."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Even though house prices are sky-rocketing around the world, one ______
     a.  property's price stag
     b.  property's pry stag
     c.  property's price tag
     d.  property's prices tag
2)  one could purchase a spacious seven-bedroom mansion ______
     a.  with sprawl ring grounds
     b.  with sprawl in grounds
     c.  with sprawl inner grounds
     d.  with sprawling grounds
3)  However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does ______
     a.  have five floors
     b.  have five flaws
     c.  have five flowers
     d.  have five fours
4)  The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop ______"
     a.  and was converted
     b.  and was convert it
     c.  and was concert it
     d.  and was concerted
5)  the ultimate designer house....It's quirky and charming and ______
     a.  grade for entertaining
     b.  greet for entertaining
     c.  grate for entertaining
     d.  great for entertaining

6)  The eye-catching property is just 1.6 metres at ______
     a.  its narrow is point
     b.  its narrowest pointer
     c.  its narrowest pointing
     d.  its narrowest pointed
7)  On the second floor there is a living room, with ______
     a.  ace pyre all staircase
     b.  a spiral staircase
     c.  ace spiral staircase
     d.  a spire all staircase
8)  that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom ______
     a.  and aloof terrace
     b.  and a roof terrace
     c.  and an aloof terrace
     d.  and roof terrace
9)  Despite its cramped space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-______
     a.  a-kindly abode
     b.  a-kinds abode
     c.  a-kind abode
     d.  a-kinder abode
10)  a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will ______
     a.  pins it up
     b.  snap it up
     c.  snip it up
     d.  slap it up

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Even (1) ____________________ are sky-rocketing around the world, one property's price tag in London (2) ____________________. A house billed as "the skinniest" in London is on the market for $1.3 million. In other areas of the UK, one could (3) ____________________ seven-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds for that sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is being sold by (4) ____________________ Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and (5) ____________________ a fashion photographer - the ultimate designer house....It's                             (6) ____________________ and great for entertaining."

The (7) ____________________ is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dining room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with (8) ____________________ that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom and roof terrace. The main bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its cramped space, Winkworth says it is a (9) ____________________. It said: "The interior design (10) ____________________ approach of a luxury yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is ideal for a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will (11) ____________________. It is a unique part of London history. It's (12) ____________________ London magic."

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say is happening to house prices?
  2. What does the article say you could buy for the price of the thin house?
  3. How many floors does the thin house have?
  4. Who or what is Winkworth?
  5. What was the house before it was a house?
  6. How long is the house?
  7. What connects the second and third floors of the house?
  8. What is on the fifth floor of the house?
  9. Who did the real estate agent say the house was ideal for?
  10. What did a real estate agent say the house was a unique part of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say is happening to house prices?
a) they are rising ever so slightly
b) they are plummeting
c) they are levelling off
d) they are sky-rocketing
2) What does the article say you could buy for the price of the thin house?
a) a luxury yacht
b) a seven-bedroom mansion
c) an English village
d) a castle
3) How many floors does the thin house have?
a) 2
b) 6
c) 3
d) 5
4) Who or what is Winkworth?
a) a hat shop
b) a website designer
c) a real-estate agent
d) a tie shop
5) What was the house before it was a house?
a) a website designer
b) a real estate agent
c) a tie shop
d) a hat shop

6) How long is the house?
a) 6 metres
b) 5 metres
c) 8 metres
d) 4 metres
7) What connects the second and third floors of the house?
a) a spiral staircase
b) a ladder
c) an elevator
d) a tunnel
8) What is on the fifth floor of the house?
a) a patio
b) an observatory
c) the main bedroom
d) a gym
9) Who did the real estate agent say the house was ideal for?
a) old people
b) a young couple or individual
c) small people
d) investors
10) What did a real estate agent say the house was a unique part of?
a) London history
b) real estate
c) the street
d) the U.K.

Role play

Role  A – Living Room
You think the living room is the best room in the house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rooms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the bathroom, the kitchen or the toilet.

Role  B – Bathroom
You think the bathroom is the best room in the house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rooms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the living room, the kitchen or the toilet.

Role  C – Kitchen
You think the kitchen is the best room in the house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rooms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the bathroom, the living room or the toilet.

Role  D – Toilet
You think the toilet is the best room in the house. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their rooms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): the bathroom, the kitchen or the living room.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'thin'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'house'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • sky
    • areas
    • sum
    • five
    • hat
    • great
    • eye
    • 8
    • third
    • main
    • ideal
    • magic

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - London Property

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'property'?
    3. What are property prices like in your town?
    4. What do you think of a house that is 2 metres wide?
    5. What was the last thing that made you raise your eyebrows?
    6. Is it better to own your own house or rent?
    7. Would you like a seven-bedroom mansion?
    8. Would you like to live in the property in the article?
    9. What is the best city to live in?
    10. How would you describe your house?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'house'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the good and bad things about a five-storey house
    5. Is it better to have a spacious house?
    6. Would you like a bespoke house?
    7. What do you think of your current abode?
    8. What is your ideal house?
    9. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the real estate agent?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Even though house prices are (1) ____-rocketing around the world, one property's price tag in London is raising (2) ____. A house billed as "the skinniest" in London is on the market for $1.3 million. In other areas of the UK, one could purchase a (3) ____ seven-bedroom mansion with (4) ____ grounds for that sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is (5) ____ sold by real estate agent Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and was converted by a fashion photographer - the (6) ____ designer house....It's quirky and charming and great for entertaining."

    The eye-(7) ____ property is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dining room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with a (8) ____ staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom and roof terrace. The main bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its (9) ____ space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-a-kind abode. It said: "The interior design has the (10) ____ approach of a luxury yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is (11) ____ for a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will (12) ____ it up. It is a unique part of London history. It's a bit of London magic."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     cloud     (b)     atmosphere     (c)     space     (d)     sky    
    2. (a)     chins     (b)     noses     (c)     lips     (d)     eyebrows    
    3. (a)     spaces     (b)     spacious     (c)     rapacious     (d)     audacious    
    4. (a)     spawning     (b)     spiralling     (c)     sprawling     (d)     spilling    
    5. (a)     being     (b)     be     (c)     be in     (d)     been    
    6. (a)     ultimate     (b)     penultimate     (c)     ultimately     (d)     ultimatum    
    7. (a)     watching     (b)     bouncing     (c)     throwing     (d)     catching    
    8. (a)     spiral     (b)     coil     (c)     twirling     (d)     swirl    
    9. (a)     camped     (b)     cramped     (c)     clamped     (d)     carped    
    10. (a)     speaking     (b)     spoken     (c)     bespoke     (d)     speech    
    11. (a)     idea     (b)     idealism     (c)     ideal     (d)     ideas    
    12. (a)     snip     (b)     snap     (c)     slap     (d)     step

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. raising swreyobe
    2. a oussicap seven-bedroom mansion
    3. lsrwgianp grounds
    4. ortecvned by a fashion photographer
    5. the tumitale designer house
    6. It's kuyiqr and charming

    Paragraph 2

    1. a pilsar staircase
    2. Despite its cdrmaep space
    3. the okpebse approach
    4. a luxury hacyt
    5. a young couple or an aivuiidnld
    6. a ieuqun part of London

    Put the text back together

    (...)  floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is being sold by real estate
    (...)  of the UK, one could purchase a spacious seven-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds for that
    1  ) Even though house prices are sky-rocketing around the world, one property's price tag in London is raising
    (...)  eyebrows. A house billed as "the skinniest" in London is on the market for $1.3 million. In other areas
    (...)  sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five
    (...)  yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is ideal for a young couple or an individual who sees the
    (...)  photographer - the ultimate designer house....It's quirky and charming and great for entertaining."
    (...)  The eye-catching property is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dining
    (...)  room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with a spiral
    (...)  staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has a study, bedroom and roof terrace. The main
    (...)  bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its cramped space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-a-
    (...)  agent Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and was converted by a fashion
    (...)  beauty for what it is and will snap it up. It is a unique part of London history. It's a bit of London magic."
    (...)  kind abode. It said: "The interior design has the bespoke approach of a luxury

    Put the words in the right order

    1. sky-rocketing   world   .   are   around   House   the   prices
    2. raising   price   One   property's   tag   is   eyebrows   .   London
    3. a   spacious   could   One   mansion   .   seven-bedroom   purchase
    4. London   .   is   in   two-bedroom   The   west   house
    5. life   It   shop   .   a   as   hat   started
    6. room   .   a   floor   The   second   has   living
    7. that   leads   A   staircase   to   the   floor   .   third
    8. It   design   of   yacht   .   the   a   luxury   has
    9. house   ideal   The   is   a   for   young   couple   .
    10. It   history   .   is   part   a   London   unique   of

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Even though / thorough house prices are sky-rocketing around the world, one property's price tag in London is rising / raising eyebrows. A house bailed / billed as "the skinniest" in London is on / in the market for $1.3 million. In other areas of the UK, one could purchase a spacious / space seven-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds for that some / sum. However, the skinny house is just 2 metres wide, although it does have five storey / floors. The two-bedroom house is in west London and is being selling / sold by real estate agent Winkworth. The agent said: "It started life as a hat shop and was converted as / by a fashion photographer - the ultimate designer house....It's quirky / quickly and charming and great for entertaining."

    The eye-throwing / eye-catching property is just 1.6 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long. There is a kitchen, dinning / dining room and patio garden on the first floor. On the second floor there is a living room, with a spiral / spigot staircase that leads up to the third floor, which has a studious / study, bedroom and roof terrace. The mane / main bedroom is on the fifth floor. Despite its cramped space, Winkworth says it is a one-of-a-kind abode / adobe. It said: "The interior design has the beseech / bespoke approach of a luxury yacht, making the most of small spaces." It added that: "The house is idea / ideal for a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will snap it up / down. It is a unique part of London history. It's a bit of London magician / magic."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _v_n  th__gh  h__s_  pr_c_s  _r_  sky-r_ck_t_ng  _r__nd  th_  w_rld,  _n_  pr_p_rty's  pr_c_  t_g  _n  L_nd_n  _s  r__s_ng  _y_br_ws.  _  h__s_  b_ll_d  _s  "th_  sk_nn__st"  _n  L_nd_n  _s  _n  th_  m_rk_t  f_r  $1.3  m_ll__n.  _n  _th_r  _r__s  _f  th_  _K,  _n_  c__ld  p_rch_s_  _  sp_c___s  s_v_n-b_dr__m  m_ns__n  w_th  spr_wl_ng  gr__nds  f_r  th_t  s_m.  H_w_v_r,  th_  sk_nny  h__s_  _s  j_st  2  m_tr_s  w_d_,  _lth__gh  _t  d__s  h_v_  f_v_  fl__rs.  Th_  tw_-b_dr__m  h__s_  _s  _n  w_st  L_nd_n  _nd  _s  b__ng  s_ld  by  r__l  _st_t_  _g_nt  W_nkw_rth.  Th_  _g_nt  s__d:  "_t  st_rt_d  l_f_  _s  _  h_t  sh_p  _nd  w_s  c_nv_rt_d  by  _  f_sh__n  ph_t_gr_ph_r  -  th_  _lt_m_t_  d_s_gn_r  h__s_...._t's  q__rky  _nd  ch_rm_ng  _nd  gr__t  f_r  _nt_rt__n_ng."

    Th_  _y_-c_tch_ng  pr_p_rty  _s  j_st  1.6  m_tr_s  _t  _ts  n_rr_w_st  p__nt  _nd  _s  8  m_tr_s  l_ng.  Th_r_  _s  _  k_tch_n,  d_n_ng  r__m  _nd  p_t__  g_rd_n  _n  th_  f_rst  fl__r.  _n  th_  s_c_nd  fl__r  th_r_  _s  _  l_v_ng  r__m,  w_th  _  sp_r_l  st__rc_s_  th_t  l__ds  _p  t_  th_  th_rd  fl__r,  wh_ch  h_s  _  st_dy,  b_dr__m  _nd  r__f  t_rr_c_.  Th_  m__n  b_dr__m  _s  _n  th_  f_fth  fl__r.  D_sp_t_  _ts  cr_mp_d  sp_c_,  W_nkw_rth  s_ys  _t  _s  _  _n_-_f-_-k_nd  _b_d_.  _t  s__d:  "Th_  _nt_r__r  d_s_gn  h_s  th_  b_sp_k_  _ppr__ch  _f  _  l_x_ry  y_cht,  m_k_ng  th_  m_st  _f  sm_ll  sp_c_s."  _t  _dd_d  th_t:  "Th_  h__s_  _s  _d__l  f_r  _  y__ng  c__pl_  _r  _n  _nd_v_d__l  wh_  s__s  th_  b___ty  f_r  wh_t  _t  _s  _nd  w_ll  sn_p  _t  _p.  _t  _s  _  _n_q__  p_rt  _f  L_nd_n  h_st_ry.  _t's  _  b_t  _f  L_nd_n  m_g_c."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    even though house prices are skyrocketing around the world one propertys price tag in london is raising eyebrows a house billed as the skinniest in london is on the market for 13 million in other areas of the uk one could purchase a spacious sevenbedroom mansion with sprawling grounds for that sum however the skinny house is just 2 metres wide although it does have five floors the twobedroom house is in west london and is being sold by real estate agent winkworth the agent said it started life as a hat shop and was converted by a fashion photographer  the ultimate designer houseits quirky and charming and great for entertaining

    the eyecatching property is just 16 metres at its narrowest point and is 8 metres long there is a kitchen dining room and patio garden on the first floor on the second floor there is a living room with a spiral staircase that leads up to the third floor which has a study bedroom and roof terrace the main bedroom is on the fifth floor despite its cramped space winkworth says it is a oneofakind abode it said the interior design has the bespoke approach of a luxury yacht making the most of small spaces it added that the house is ideal for a young couple or an individual who sees the beauty for what it is and will snap it up it is a unique part of london history its a bit of london magic

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Eventhoughhousepricesaresky-rocketingaroundtheworld,oneprope
    rty'spricetaginLondonisraisingeyebrows.Ahousebilledas"theskinnie
    st"inLondonisonthemarketfor$1.3million.InotherareasoftheUK,one
    couldpurchaseaspaciousseven-bedroommansionwithsprawlinggrou
    ndsforthatsum.However,theskinnyhouseisjust2metreswide,althou
    ghitdoeshavefivefloors.Thetwo-bedroomhouseisinwestLondonandi
    sbeingsoldbyrealestateagentWinkworth.Theagentsaid:"Itstartedlif
    easahatshopandwasconvertedbyafashionphotographer-theultima
    tedesignerhouse....It'squirkyandcharmingandgreatforentertaining.
    "Theeye-catchingpropertyisjust1.6metresatitsnarrowestpointandi
    s8metreslong.Thereisakitchen,diningroomandpatiogardenonthefirs
    tfloor.Onthesecondfloorthereisalivingroom,withaspiralstaircasetha
    tleadsuptothethirdfloor,whichhasastudy,bedroomandroofterrace.T
    hemainbedroomisonthefifthfloor.Despiteitscrampedspace,Winkwor
    thsaysitisaone-of-a-kindabode.Itsaid:"Theinteriordesignhasthebes
    pokeapproachofaluxuryyacht,makingthemostofsmallspaces."Itadd
    edthat:"Thehouseisidealforayoungcoupleoranindividualwhoseesth
    ebeautyforwhatitisandwillsnapitup.ItisauniquepartofLondonhistory
    .It'sabitofLondonmagic."

    Free writing

    Write about London property for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All house prices should be fair and set by the government. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. PROPERTY: Make a poster about property. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. HOUSE PRICES: Write a magazine article about setting a limit on house prices. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on property. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on property prices. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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