Home, Neighbours & Everyday Problems – When Things Go Wrong at Home

REVIEW – WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

Choose from: feel at home · get on well with · keep to yourself · look out for each other · put up with

1. You and your neighbours have a friendly relationship and never have problems with each other.

2. Your neighbour is friendly, but doesn’t talk much and prefers their own company.

3. Your neighbour collects your parcels when you’re away, and you do the same for them.

4. The people upstairs are sometimes noisy, but it doesn’t bother you too much.

5. Friendly people in your building make you comfortable and happy living there.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

One phrase returns from last week. Use these when something at home isn’t working properly.

QUICK PRACTICE – WHAT’S WRONG?

Say what the problem is. Try to use one of the phrases above.

1. The washing machine makes a strange noise.

2. The kitchen tap is leaking again.

3. The heating turns off every few hours.

4. The bedroom light doesn’t work.

5. The shower only has cold water.

Example: There’s something wrong with the washing machine. It needs fixing.

HOW ANNOYING IS IT?

Choose: I CAN PUT UP WITH IT / IT NEEDS FIXING SOON / I NEED IT FIXED NOW. Explain why.

1. One kitchen light has stopped working.

2. The Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting.

3. The toilet sometimes doesn’t flush properly.

4. The heating isn’t working and it’s cold outside.

5. The fridge is making a strange noise.

6. A tap drips all night.

7. One window won’t close properly.

8. The washing machine stops in the middle of a cycle.

WHO DO YOU CALL?

What would you do first? Choose and explain.

1. The sink is blocked. try to fix it yourself · call a plumber · ask someone you know

2. The internet stops working. restart everything · search online · call the provider

3. The washing machine leaks. try to fix it · call a repair service · replace it

4. A light stops working. fix it yourself · ask someone for help · call an electrician

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

1. What usually goes wrong in your home?

Example: Small things mostly. Lights stop working or something in the kitchen needs fixing.

2. Are you good at fixing things yourself?

Example: Not really. I can do very simple things, but I usually ask someone for help.

3. What household problem can you put up with for a few days?

Example: I can put up with a dripping tap for a little while, but not for too long.

4. What problem at home would you want fixed immediately?

Example: Definitely the heating in winter. I wouldn’t want to wait several days.

5. Have you ever had a problem at home that kept happening?

Example: Yes. Our Wi-Fi used to stop working all the time. It was really annoying.

6. Who do you usually call when something needs fixing?

Example: It depends on the problem. Sometimes I ask a family member, but for bigger problems I call a professional.

7. Do you prefer to try fixing something yourself first or call someone immediately?

Example: I usually try simple things myself first. If I can’t solve it quickly, I call someone.

8. Have you ever tried to fix something and made the problem worse?

Example: Yes. I once tried to fix a leaking tap, but it started leaking even more.

9. Which household appliance would be hardest for you to live without?

Example: Probably the fridge. I could put up with no dishwasher, but not no fridge.

10. When you rent a home, which problems should the landlord fix quickly?

Example: I think problems with heating, water or electricity should always be fixed quickly.