Introduction
Moving into a new apartment is an exciting experience! Whether you’re talking about your new home, asking about features, or discussing rent and utilities, knowing how to describe an apartment and ask the right questions is essential.
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
✔️ Improve your listening comprehension
✔️ Learn common phrases for discussing apartments and moving
✔️ Understand how to ask about and describe an apartment
✔️ Practice real-life conversation skills
Practice note: Ask a partner to read Emily and Jake’s parts aloud while you keep the written script hidden. If you work alone, use the conversation for reading and speaking practice.
Step 1: Listen to the Conversation
🎧 Instructions:
- Ask a partner to read the conversation between two friends talking about a new apartment. Listen without looking at the script.
- Pay attention to how they describe the apartment and discuss moving details.
- After listening, answer the comprehension questions below.
📌 Partner-reading Script (The New Apartment Conversation)
Emily: Hey, Jake! I heard you moved into a new apartment. How is it?
Jake: Hi, Emily! Yes, I moved in last week. The apartment is great! It’s spacious and has a nice balcony.
Emily: That sounds awesome! How many bedrooms does it have?
Jake: It has two bedrooms and one bathroom. It’s perfect for me and my roommate.
Emily: Nice! Is it close to your work?
Jake: Yeah, it’s only a 10-minute walk from my office, so it’s really convenient.
Emily: That’s great! What about rent? Is it expensive?
Jake: It’s $1,200 a month, but my roommate and I split the cost, so it’s affordable.
Emily: That’s not bad! Does it include utilities?
Jake: No, we have to pay for electricity and water separately, but internet is included.
Emily: Cool! I can’t wait to see it. You should invite me over!
Jake: Definitely! Come by this weekend, and I’ll give you a tour.
Step 2: Comprehension Questions
Answer from the conversation. If you read the script yourself, use these as reading-comprehension questions.
Multiple Choice Questions
- How many bedrooms does Jake’s apartment have?
a) One
b) Two
c) Three
d) Four - How far is Jake’s apartment from his workplace?
a) 5 minutes by car
b) 20 minutes by bus
c) 10-minute walk
d) 30-minute drive - How much is the rent per month?
a) $900
b) $1,200
c) $1,500
d) $1,800 - What utilities are NOT included in the rent?
a) Internet
b) Electricity and water
c) Gas
d) Parking - What does Emily want to do?
a) Move into Jake’s apartment
b) Get a job near Jake’s place
c) Visit Jake’s new apartment
d) Rent a different apartment
Answers and explanations: 1. b — Jake says it has two bedrooms. 2. c — His office is a 10-minute walk away. 3. b — The total rent is $1,200 per month, shared with his roommate. 4. b — Electricity and water cost extra; internet is included. 5. c — Emily wants to visit, and Jake offers a tour.
Step 3: Vocabulary Practice
Here are some important words and phrases from the conversation. Learn their meanings and practice using them in sentences.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment | A set of rooms forming a home within a larger building | I just moved into a new apartment in the city. |
| Spacious | Large, with plenty of room | My new living room is very spacious. |
| Balcony | A small outdoor area attached to an apartment | We have breakfast on the balcony every morning. |
| Utilities | Services like electricity, water, and internet | Rent includes utilities like water and internet. |
| Rent | Money paid regularly to use someone else’s home or property | The rent for my apartment is $1,200 per month. |
✅ Exercise:
Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary words above.
- Our apartment has a small _______ where we can sit and enjoy the view.
- My new living room is really _______; there’s a lot of space for furniture.
- I pay $1,000 a month for _______ in my city.
- Does your landlord include _______ in the monthly rent?
- I just signed the lease for a new _______ downtown.
(Answer Key: 1. balcony, 2. spacious, 3. rent, 4. utilities, 5. apartment)
Step 4: Grammar Focus – Asking About and Describing an Apartment
When talking about an apartment, we often use specific phrases to ask questions and give descriptions.
Common Questions About an Apartment:
- How many bedrooms does it have?
- Is it close to public transportation?
- What’s the monthly rent?
- Are utilities included?
- Does it have a balcony or parking?
How to Describe an Apartment:
- It’s spacious and has a great view.
- It has two bedrooms and a modern kitchen.
- The rent is affordable, and it’s close to my work.
- It includes internet, but we pay for electricity.
Practice Exercise:
Use each phrase once: Do you know of; How many; Is; Is there; Are.
- _______ any good apartments for rent in this area?
- _______ bedrooms does your apartment have?
- _______ the rent expensive or affordable?
- _______ a balcony in your apartment?
- _______ utilities included in the rent?
(Answer Key: 1. Do you know of, 2. How many, 3. Is, 4. Is there, 5. Are)
Step 5: Discussion Questions
Practice speaking by discussing these questions with a friend or writing down your answers.
- What do you look for when choosing an apartment?
- Do you prefer living alone or with roommates? Why?
- What are the advantages of living in an apartment versus a house?
- How much do apartments usually cost in your city?
- What’s your ideal apartment like?
Step 6: Writing Challenge
✍ Creative Writing Exercise
Imagine you are describing your dream apartment. Write a short paragraph about its size, location, rent, and features.
🔹 Example Start:
“My dream apartment is a modern two-bedroom unit in the city center. It has a spacious living room, a big balcony, and a beautiful view. The rent is reasonable, and it includes utilities like water and internet. It’s also close to restaurants and shopping areas, making it a perfect place to live!”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I ask about an apartment for rent?
You can say:
- Is this apartment still available for rent?
- How much is the monthly rent?
- Are utilities included in the rent?
2. What are common apartment features to ask about?
- Balcony
- Parking
- Furnished or unfurnished
- Pet-friendly policy
- Laundry facilities
3. How do I describe my apartment?
You can say:
- It’s a spacious apartment with a great location.
- It has two bedrooms and a modern kitchen.
- The rent is affordable, and it’s close to my work.
4. What’s the difference between rent and utilities?
- Rent = Payment to use someone else’s home or property. In this conversation, the rent is paid monthly.
- Utilities = Services like electricity, water, and internet
5. What should I ask before renting an apartment?
- What’s included in the rent?
- How much is the security deposit?
- What’s the lease agreement term?
Conclusion
This lesson helps you improve your listening, vocabulary, grammar, and speaking skills while learning how to talk about apartments in English.
✅ What’s Next?
- Ask your partner to read the conversation again and listen for the rent, rooms and included services.
- Role-play a conversation about finding a new place.
- Try writing an apartment listing in English!