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Lesson 16: Home Safety and Maintenance

I. LET'S CHECK IT OUT! 🔬

LET-S CHECK IT OUT

Describe what you see in the picture.

What are some regular maintenance tasks that are important for a house?

II. LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🎯

intercom

[ 'in-ter-kom ]

noun

- a device used for internal communication within a building

She used the intercom to call her assistant from another room.

peephole

[ 'peep-hohl ]

noun

- a small hole in a door through which one can look to see who is outside

He looked through the peephole before opening the door.

handrail

[ 'hand-reyl ]

noun

- a rail fixed to posts or a wall for people to hold on to for support

She held onto the handrail while climbing the stairs.

shutter

[ 'shuht-er ]

noun

- a solid or louvered cover for a window

They closed the shutters before the storm arrived.

gutter

[ 'guht-er ]

noun

- a channel at the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater

He cleaned the leaves out of the gutter to prevent clogging.

shingle

[ 'shing-guhl ]

noun

- a flat, rectangular piece used to cover roofs or walls

They replaced the damaged shingles on the roof.

attic

[ 'at-ik ]

noun

- a space or room just below the roof of a building

They stored old furniture in the attic.

sink

[ singk ]

noun

- a basin with a faucet and drain, used for washing

She washed the dishes in the kitchen sink.

drain

[ dreyn ]

noun

- a pipe or channel that carries away waste water or other liquids

The water quickly flowed down the drain.

ventilation fan

[ ven-tl-ey-shuhn fan ]

noun

- a fan used to circulate air and improve air quality in a room or building

They installed a ventilation fan in the bathroom to reduce moisture.

III. LISTEN AND REPEAT 📢 1.

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10.

IV. DIALOGUE PRACTICE! 🎧

Situation:

Joy just bought a house and needs some assistance with the damages.

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Joy

Hello, Justin! I'm having some issues with my house and need some assistance.

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Justin

Sure, Joy! I can help you with that. What seems to be the problem?

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Joy

Firstly, the front door buzzer and doorbell aren’t working, and the intercom system is also faulty.

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Justin

I see. Have you checked the wiring or the power source for these devices?

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Joy

Not yet. Additionally, the peephole on the front door is blurry.

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Justin

You might need to clean it or replace it if it’s damaged. Anything else?

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Joy

Yes, the shoe cabinet near the back door is loose, and the handrail on the stairs feels wobbly.

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Justin

Both might need tightening or proper installation. I suggest checking the screws and brackets.

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Joy

The attic has a leak, and I noticed some shingles missing from the roof.

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Justin

That’s concerning. You should get a professional to inspect and repair the roof and ceiling.

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Joy

Also, I need advice on fire safety. Where should I place the smoke detector and fire extinguisher?

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Justin

Place the smoke detector on the ceiling, away from the ventilation fan and stove, and the fire extinguisher near the kitchen but not too close to the stove and oven.

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Joy

One last thing, the window screens and shutters need cleaning, and the gutters seem clogged.

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Justin

Cleaning the window screens and shutters regularly can prevent dust buildup. For the gutters, you may need to remove debris to ensure proper drainage.

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Joy

Thank you for all the tips. I’ll get started on these tasks.

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Justin

You’re welcome! Remember to check the faucet and sink for any leaks and ensure the drain is clear.

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Joy

I will. Thanks again for your help!

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. What issues is Joy facing with the front door?

2. What maintenance tasks need to be done in the attic and on the roof?

3. What advice does Justin give regarding the faucet and sink?

V. LET'S CHAT! 💬

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate questions or responses based on the context.

B

Customer

I noticed a few shingles are missing from my roof.

C

Staff

.


B

Customer

The shutters on my windows are stuck and won't close.

C

Staff

.


B

Customer

The intercom system in my apartment isn't working.

C

Staff

.


B

Customer

There's a leak in the attic causing some water damage.

C

Staff

.


B

Customer

The shoe cabinet near my front door is wobbly.

C

Staff

.

VI. ROLE PLAYING! 🎬 0. ROLE PLAYING

Situation:

A customer is experiencing various issues with their home and seeks assistance from a staff member to address them.

Instruction:

One person will be the customer, and the other will be the staff member. Use the learned vocabulary in the conversation.

AS A STAFF MEMBERAS A CUSTOMER

Listen attentively to the customer's concerns and take note of each issue.

Explain the issues with specific parts of the house (e.g., shingles, shutters, intercom, attic, shoe cabinet).

Provide practical solutions or advice for each problem mentioned.

Ask for recommendations on how to fix or maintain these areas.

Offer additional safety tips or maintenance recommendations to prevent future issues.

Inquire about any immediate actions or safety measures that need to be taken.

LET'S KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING 💭

  1. What steps can you take to maintain the safety of your home’s entry points?
  2. How often should you check and maintain your home’s roof and gutters?
  3. What are some other safety devices you might install in your home besides smoke detectors and fire extinguishers?
  4. Why is it important to regularly check and maintain kitchen appliances like the stove and oven?