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Section B INTERVIEW
In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Questions 1 to 5 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview, you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions. Now listen to the interview.
Interviewer(W): Today I'd like to welcome Edward Fox, a seasoned real-estate agent, who is going to talk to us about buying a house. Hello, Edward.
Edward Fox (M): Hello.
W: Now Edward, for most people buying a house is a major life event, and probably the single most expensive item they are ever likely to buy. What precautions do they have to take before a real purchase? Can you give some suggestions?
M: You are right in saying buying a house costs a lot. But as to me, the most important thing to consider before buying any property is the location.
W: Location?
M: Right. Because it is where you plan to spend a large part of your life. Or, indeed, the rest of your life in some circumstances. Therefore, consider the type of life you enjoy leading. If you are a very sociable person who enjoys nightclubs and discos, you may consider something close to a city. Anyway, a city is convenient for all types of nightlife.
W: Then, for those who seek a quiet life, do you recommend a house in the countryside?
M: Well, countryside is a tranquil place. However, do remember that proximity to the place of work also counts. Indeed, we spend most of our life at work, and you don't want to have to spend two or more hours every day traveling to work, do you? Therefore, transport is of the utmost importance. City suburbs, however, are often conveniently located for commuting to work, or for shopping, without being in the heart of a busy city.
W: But houses in the suburbs are far more expensive than those in cities.
M: They seem to be, but actually houses located in cities can often exceed the price of suburban houses, so check out the prices. You may be surprised.
W: Really? So we should consider our place of work and personality in choosing the location. Is that so?
M: I'm afraid you have to take family into consideration as well. You may prefer a house that is away from a busy street or main road. And of course, remember that children have to attend school. If you have children, or you plan to have children, location is a very important factor. And of course, remember that a family influences the size of the property.
W: Oh, I see. How many types of houses can we choose?
M: There are various types of houses. The first is called detached houses, which stand alone, and are not joined by another building. Then there are semi-detached houses, which are the most common. This is because they are, in fact, two houses joined together, and therefore take up less space. And there are town houses, too, which are many houses joined together to form a long row. But don't think that town houses are less expensive than semi-detached houses. They rarely are. This is because they are usually built in cities where the price of property is very expensive.
W: Then what about old houses? They must be cheaper than new ones.
M: Maybe they are. But if the house is too old, you may be faced with expensive repairs and renovation bills. So have a house thoroughly checked by a professional surveyor before you decide to buy.
W: I agree. It's economical to buy old houses only when they are in good condition. By the way, a lot of property has a garden attached to it. Do you think it's a good choice?
M: It's true that a lot of property has a garden. If you enjoy gardening, that's fine. But if you don't enjoy gardening then you may prefer a small garden, as opposed to a big one. But even if you do enjoy gardening it is important to remember that gardens take up a lot of your time. So keeping a garden in good order may be very difficult if you work long hours.
W: You are quite right. Any other suggestions?
M: One final thing is the general feel of the place. Does it have a good atmosphere? And most important of all, would you feel comfortable living there?
W: Edward, I never knew I had to consider so many things while buying a house. Thank you very much for talking with us.
M: My pleasure.
