Exploring House Environments
When people choose where to live, the location often matters as much as the design of the home. Some prefer an urban apartment in a tall skyscraper, while others dream of a quiet life in a cottage or bungalow in a rural setting. Families sometimes move to a housing development in the suburbs, where rows of modern houses are built together. More adventurous people may live in a caravan, a cabin, or even a houseboat. Children especially enjoy spending time in a tree house, while adults may escape to a simple shed at the back of the garden.
A home is more than just walls. It includes many parts and rooms that serve different purposes. The attic or cellar may be used for storage, while the basement can be converted into a playroom or cinema. A nursery is designed for young children, while a study provides a quiet place for reading or writing. Many houses feature a porch at the entrance, and in some cities, cafés make use of the flat rooftop areas. A typical house might be one or two storeys, depending on space.
Modern houses also depend on home systems. Air-conditioning and central heating are often installed to keep rooms at a comfortable temperature. Over time, the condition of a home can change: owners may need to redecorate to keep it fresh.
Inside, furniture and appliances make life easier. A couch offers comfort in the living room, while a rug adds style. Blinds cover the windows, a tap controls the water flow, and a freezer and microwave help with cooking and storage.
The atmosphere of a house can vary. A roomy, airy home may feel majestic and charming, while a compact flat might be more functional but still cozy. Some properties are contemporary or even futuristic, while others are historic, filled with antique furniture or vintage decorations. A neglected home may seem cluttered, dingy, or even abandoned, while a well-kept one feels homely and roomy. Truly majestic buildings often overlook beautiful gardens or city squares.
Not all houses are problem-free. A crack in the wall or a leak from the ceiling can quickly damage property. Damp patches may lead to mould, which can be unhealthy as well as unpleasant.
In the end, every home, whether a modern flat in the city or a rustic cottage in the countryside, tells a story. Its style, systems, and atmosphere all reflect the choices of the people who live there.
Key vocabulary:
Types of Housing
bungalow — [bʌŋɡələʊ] — a house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof; (vienstāva) vasarnīca
cabin — [ˈkæbɪn] — a small, simple house made of wood, usually in the mountains or a forest; vienkārša māja, parasti dabā — kalnos vai mežā
caravan — [ˈkærəvæn] — a wheeled vehicle for living or travelling in, especially for holidays, that contains beds and cooking equipment and can be pulled by a car; karavāna, autofurgons
cottage — [ˈkɒtɪdʒ] — a small, simple house, typically in the countryside; neliela lauku māja
houseboat — [ˈhaʊsbəʊt] — a boat designed for living in; peldoša māja
housing estate (also: housing development) — [ˈhaʊzɪŋ ɪsteɪt] — an area in which a large number of houses or flats are planned and built together at the same time; dzīvojamais masīvs
shed — [ʃed] — a small building, usually made of wood, used for storing things; nojume, šķūnis, angārs
skyscraper — [ˈskaɪskreɪpə(r)] — a modern building that is very tall, often built in a city; debesskrāpis
storey — [ˈstɔːri] — a level of a building (for instance, a two-storey house); stāvs
tree house — [ˈtriː haʊs] — a small building, structure, or shelter built among the branches of a tree; māja kokā
House parts and rooms
attic — [ˈætɪk] — an area or room directly under the roof of a house, typically used for storage or as an additional living area; bēniņi, mansards, jumtistaba
basement — [ˈbeɪsmənt] — a part of a building consisting of rooms that are partly or completely below the level of the ground; (pus)pagraba stāvs
cellar — [ˈselə(r)] — a room under the ground floor of a building, usually used for storing things like food and drinks; pagrabs pārtikas un dzērienu uzglabāšanai
nursery — [ˈnɜːsəri] — a room in a house where small children sleep and play; bērnistaba
porch — [pɔːtʃ] — a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building; lievenis
rooftop — [ˈruːf.tɒp] — the external surface of a building roof; ārējā, redzamā jumta daļa
study — [ˈstʌd.i] — a room used for quiet work such as reading or writing; mācību / darba telpa
Home Systems and Surroundings
air-conditioning — [ˈeə kəndɪʃənɪŋ] — the system used for keeping the air in a building or vehicle cool; gaisa kondicionēšana
central heating — [ˌsentrəl ˈhiːtɪŋ] — a system of heating buildings by warming air or water at one place and then sending it to different rooms in pipes; centrālā apkure
bungalow — [bʌŋɡələʊ] — a house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof; (vienstāva) vasarnīca
cabin — [ˈkæbɪn] — a small, simple house made of wood, usually in the mountains or a forest; vienkārša māja, parasti dabā — kalnos vai mežā
caravan — [ˈkærəvæn] — a wheeled vehicle for living or travelling in, especially for holidays, that contains beds and cooking equipment and can be pulled by a car; karavāna, autofurgons
cottage — [ˈkɒtɪdʒ] — a small, simple house, typically in the countryside; neliela lauku māja
houseboat — [ˈhaʊsbəʊt] — a boat designed for living in; peldoša māja
housing estate (also: housing development) — [ˈhaʊzɪŋ ɪsteɪt] — an area in which a large number of houses or flats are planned and built together at the same time; dzīvojamais masīvs
shed — [ʃed] — a small building, usually made of wood, used for storing things; nojume, šķūnis, angārs
skyscraper — [ˈskaɪskreɪpə(r)] — a modern building that is very tall, often built in a city; debesskrāpis
storey — [ˈstɔːri] — a level of a building (for instance, a two-storey house); stāvs
tree house — [ˈtriː haʊs] — a small building, structure, or shelter built among the branches of a tree; māja kokā
House parts and rooms
attic — [ˈætɪk] — an area or room directly under the roof of a house, typically used for storage or as an additional living area; bēniņi, mansards, jumtistaba
basement — [ˈbeɪsmənt] — a part of a building consisting of rooms that are partly or completely below the level of the ground; (pus)pagraba stāvs
cellar — [ˈselə(r)] — a room under the ground floor of a building, usually used for storing things like food and drinks; pagrabs pārtikas un dzērienu uzglabāšanai
nursery — [ˈnɜːsəri] — a room in a house where small children sleep and play; bērnistaba
porch — [pɔːtʃ] — a covered structure in front of the entrance to a building; lievenis
rooftop — [ˈruːf.tɒp] — the external surface of a building roof; ārējā, redzamā jumta daļa
study — [ˈstʌd.i] — a room used for quiet work such as reading or writing; mācību / darba telpa
Home Systems and Surroundings
air-conditioning — [ˈeə kəndɪʃənɪŋ] — the system used for keeping the air in a building or vehicle cool; gaisa kondicionēšana
central heating — [ˌsentrəl ˈhiːtɪŋ] — a system of heating buildings by warming air or water at one place and then sending it to different rooms in pipes; centrālā apkure
condition — [kənˈdɪʃn] — the particular state that something or someone is in; stāvoklis
decorate (also: redecorate) — [ˈdekəreɪt] — a room or house, you make it look more attractive by adding things like paint, wallpaper, or ornaments; dekorēt, līmēt tapetes, krāsot sienas
install — [ɪnˈstɔːl] — to put furniture, a machine, or a piece of equipment into position and make it ready to use; ierīkot, uzstādīt, novietot
location — [ləʊˈkeɪʃn] — a place or position; vieta, atrašanās vieta
Furniture and Appliances
blind — [blaɪnd] — a cover that you pull down over a window; žalūzija, aizlaidne
couch — [kaʊtʃ] — a long comfortable seat for two or more people to sit on; tahta, kušete
freezer (also: deep freeze) — [ˈfriː.zər] — a large container operated by electricity in which food can be frozen and stored; saldētājkamera
microwave (also: (formal) microwave oven) — [ˈmaɪ.krə.weɪv] — a type of oven that cooks or heats food very quickly using electromagnetic waves rather than heat; mikroviļņu krāsns
rug — [rʌɡ] — a piece of thick heavy cloth smaller than a carpet, used for covering the floor or for decoration; grīdsega, neliels paklājs
tap — [tæp] — the part at the end of a pipe that controls the flow of water; krāns
Interior and Atmosphere
abandoned — [əˈbæn.dənd] — left and no longer wanted, used or needed; pamests, atstāts
airy — [ˈeə.ri] — with plenty of fresh air because there is a lot of space; plaša māja / istaba, kur ir daudz gaismas un gaisa
antique — [ænˈtiːk] — conveys a sense of age and history, often associated with houses that have preserved their original features and charm; antīks, sens
charming — [ˈtʃɑː.mɪŋ] — implies a pleasant, attractive quality that makes the house appealing and delightful to observe; apburošs, burvīgs, pievilcīgs
cluttered — [ˈklʌt.əd] — full of too many things; nekārtīgs
compact — [kəmˈpækt] — small and efficient; kompakts, blīvs
contemporary — [kənˈtem.pər.ər.i] — modern and up-to-date; mūsdienu, mūslaiku
cozy — [ˈkəʊ.zi] — comfortable and pleasant, especially (of a building) because of being small and warm; mājīgs
dingy — [ˈdɪn.dʒi] — dark, dirty, and unattractive; tāds, kas ir noputējis, netīrs, tumšs
functional — [ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.əl] — designed for practical use rather than beauty; funkcionāls
futuristic — [ˌfjuː.tʃəˈrɪs.tɪk] — strange and very modern, or intended or seeming to come from some imagined time in the future; futūristisks
historic — [hɪˈstɒr.ɪk] — indicates a house with significant architectural or cultural heritage, often preserved or restored to reflect its past; vēsturisks
homely — [ˈhəʊm.li] — plain or ordinary, but pleasant and comfortable; vienkāršs, mājīgs
majestic — [məˈdʒes.tɪk] — impressive because of size or beauty; majestātisks
roomy — [ˈruː.mi] — having a lot of space inside; ietilpīgs, plašs
vintage — [ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ] — old but stylish; antīks
Outdoor and Location
suburb — [ˈsʌb.ɜːb] — an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live; priekšpilsēta
rural — [ˈrʊə.rəl] — in, of, or like the countryside; lauku-
urban — [ˈɜː.bən] — in a town or city; pilsētas-, pilsētniecisks
overlook — [ˌəʊ.vəˈlʊk] — to have a view over something; skats no augšas
House Issues
crack — [kræk] — line that appears on surfaces, indicating damage or wear, often found in walls, ceilings, or floors; plaisa
damp — [dæmp] — is a problem caused by moisture, leading to a feeling of wetness, especially in walls and floors; mitrums, drēgnums
leak — [liːk] — occur when water escapes from pipes or plumbing fixtures, often causing damage; sūce
mould — [məʊld] — a type of fungus that grows in moist environments, often seen as a discoloration or fuzzy growth on walls or other surfaces; pelējums
decorate (also: redecorate) — [ˈdekəreɪt] — a room or house, you make it look more attractive by adding things like paint, wallpaper, or ornaments; dekorēt, līmēt tapetes, krāsot sienas
install — [ɪnˈstɔːl] — to put furniture, a machine, or a piece of equipment into position and make it ready to use; ierīkot, uzstādīt, novietot
location — [ləʊˈkeɪʃn] — a place or position; vieta, atrašanās vieta
Furniture and Appliances
blind — [blaɪnd] — a cover that you pull down over a window; žalūzija, aizlaidne
couch — [kaʊtʃ] — a long comfortable seat for two or more people to sit on; tahta, kušete
freezer (also: deep freeze) — [ˈfriː.zər] — a large container operated by electricity in which food can be frozen and stored; saldētājkamera
microwave (also: (formal) microwave oven) — [ˈmaɪ.krə.weɪv] — a type of oven that cooks or heats food very quickly using electromagnetic waves rather than heat; mikroviļņu krāsns
rug — [rʌɡ] — a piece of thick heavy cloth smaller than a carpet, used for covering the floor or for decoration; grīdsega, neliels paklājs
tap — [tæp] — the part at the end of a pipe that controls the flow of water; krāns
Interior and Atmosphere
abandoned — [əˈbæn.dənd] — left and no longer wanted, used or needed; pamests, atstāts
airy — [ˈeə.ri] — with plenty of fresh air because there is a lot of space; plaša māja / istaba, kur ir daudz gaismas un gaisa
antique — [ænˈtiːk] — conveys a sense of age and history, often associated with houses that have preserved their original features and charm; antīks, sens
charming — [ˈtʃɑː.mɪŋ] — implies a pleasant, attractive quality that makes the house appealing and delightful to observe; apburošs, burvīgs, pievilcīgs
cluttered — [ˈklʌt.əd] — full of too many things; nekārtīgs
compact — [kəmˈpækt] — small and efficient; kompakts, blīvs
contemporary — [kənˈtem.pər.ər.i] — modern and up-to-date; mūsdienu, mūslaiku
cozy — [ˈkəʊ.zi] — comfortable and pleasant, especially (of a building) because of being small and warm; mājīgs
dingy — [ˈdɪn.dʒi] — dark, dirty, and unattractive; tāds, kas ir noputējis, netīrs, tumšs
functional — [ˈfʌŋk.ʃən.əl] — designed for practical use rather than beauty; funkcionāls
futuristic — [ˌfjuː.tʃəˈrɪs.tɪk] — strange and very modern, or intended or seeming to come from some imagined time in the future; futūristisks
historic — [hɪˈstɒr.ɪk] — indicates a house with significant architectural or cultural heritage, often preserved or restored to reflect its past; vēsturisks
homely — [ˈhəʊm.li] — plain or ordinary, but pleasant and comfortable; vienkāršs, mājīgs
majestic — [məˈdʒes.tɪk] — impressive because of size or beauty; majestātisks
roomy — [ˈruː.mi] — having a lot of space inside; ietilpīgs, plašs
vintage — [ˈvɪn.tɪdʒ] — old but stylish; antīks
Outdoor and Location
suburb — [ˈsʌb.ɜːb] — an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live; priekšpilsēta
rural — [ˈrʊə.rəl] — in, of, or like the countryside; lauku-
urban — [ˈɜː.bən] — in a town or city; pilsētas-, pilsētniecisks
overlook — [ˌəʊ.vəˈlʊk] — to have a view over something; skats no augšas
House Issues
crack — [kræk] — line that appears on surfaces, indicating damage or wear, often found in walls, ceilings, or floors; plaisa
damp — [dæmp] — is a problem caused by moisture, leading to a feeling of wetness, especially in walls and floors; mitrums, drēgnums
leak — [liːk] — occur when water escapes from pipes or plumbing fixtures, often causing damage; sūce
mould — [məʊld] — a type of fungus that grows in moist environments, often seen as a discoloration or fuzzy growth on walls or other surfaces; pelējums
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise argumentative language — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you. Revise the phrases used to formulate arguments you covered in the previous theoretical chapter: Understanding Friendships and Social Connections
Discussion-Type Questions:
1. Is it important for people to have their own room at home?
"Many would argue that having a private room is essential, as it gives independence and a quiet space for studying. For instance, teenagers often need their own room to concentrate on schoolwork. On the other hand, sharing a room can teach cooperation and respect. Overall, I think having your own space is useful, but it also depends on family size and culture."
2. Do you think modern technology has improved our home environments?
"It cannot be denied that technology has made homes more comfortable. For example, smart devices like washing machines and voice assistants save time and energy. At the same time, some people argue that we have become too dependent on technology, and homes can feel less personal. Personally, I think technology is positive, as long as people do not let it replace real family connections."
3. Should governments do more to make housing affordable?
"Many people believe housing costs are too high, especially in large cities. A clear example is young people who cannot afford to buy or even rent a flat. Of course, some argue that housing is a personal responsibility. Nevertheless, I strongly believe governments should support affordable housing, because everyone deserves a safe and stable home."
4. What makes a house or flat feel like a home?
"Some would say it is furniture or decoration that makes a place feel homely. For example, comfortable chairs and personal photos create a warm atmosphere. Others believe it is the people who live there that matter most. In my view, both are important, but family relationships are what truly make a house into a real home."
5. Some people say living in the city is more convenient than living in the countryside. Do you agree?
"It is true that cities offer better access to jobs, schools, and entertainment. For example, public transport makes it easy to move around. However, the countryside provides peace and clean air, which many people find healthier. While I accept that city life is more practical, I personally believe the countryside offers a better quality of life."
"Many would argue that having a private room is essential, as it gives independence and a quiet space for studying. For instance, teenagers often need their own room to concentrate on schoolwork. On the other hand, sharing a room can teach cooperation and respect. Overall, I think having your own space is useful, but it also depends on family size and culture."
2. Do you think modern technology has improved our home environments?
"It cannot be denied that technology has made homes more comfortable. For example, smart devices like washing machines and voice assistants save time and energy. At the same time, some people argue that we have become too dependent on technology, and homes can feel less personal. Personally, I think technology is positive, as long as people do not let it replace real family connections."
3. Should governments do more to make housing affordable?
"Many people believe housing costs are too high, especially in large cities. A clear example is young people who cannot afford to buy or even rent a flat. Of course, some argue that housing is a personal responsibility. Nevertheless, I strongly believe governments should support affordable housing, because everyone deserves a safe and stable home."
4. What makes a house or flat feel like a home?
"Some would say it is furniture or decoration that makes a place feel homely. For example, comfortable chairs and personal photos create a warm atmosphere. Others believe it is the people who live there that matter most. In my view, both are important, but family relationships are what truly make a house into a real home."
5. Some people say living in the city is more convenient than living in the countryside. Do you agree?
"It is true that cities offer better access to jobs, schools, and entertainment. For example, public transport makes it easy to move around. However, the countryside provides peace and clean air, which many people find healthier. While I accept that city life is more practical, I personally believe the countryside offers a better quality of life."