X. Read and translate the text.
The Clarks’ House The Clarks live in a two-storeyed house not far from Hampstead Heath1, in North West London. The house is a pleasant-looking building that stands off the main road. There is a traditional garden at the back of the house and in front of it bordered by a hedge. The garden is surprisingly small with an apple-tree in the centre, two cherry-trees next to it, and a tiny lawn under them. The fruit trees blossom in spring and their branches are heavy with fruit in autumn. There is a narrow path with gaily-coloured roses along it. Inside the house there is an entrance-hall with a carpeted staircase. The door at the end of the hall leads into Clark’s study. Here there is a sofa and a writing table placed against the window. There are a lot of books in the study. Two walls are entirely lined with bookcases. There are two comfortable easy chairs near the fireplace. At the moment books and magazines are scattered all over the place. Charles is feverishly looking for something. Mary: What’s the matter? Charles: Where are my glasses? Mary: How should I know? Charles: Better come and help me to find them. Mary: Don’t lose your temper. Charles: But I need them. I’ve a lot of work to do. Mary: I see your work consists principally in hunting for glasses. Here they are. Charles: Thanks. Now let’s leave Charles and Mary and go into the drawing-room. It looks a bit overcrowded with furniture. There is a big deep sofa, a round table, a sideboard and a piano. In the corner stands a large TV set with a bowl of flowers on it. There are some paintings on the walls. The green curtains on the windows hang straight down. There is a fireplace with a mantelpiece above. Opposite the drawing-room is a small dining-room. There is practically nothing in it except for a large dining-table in the middle of the room, some chairs round the table and a sideboard full of cups, saucers and plates. The kitchen is next to the dining-room. It is conveniently arranged. It has an electric cooker, a double sink-unit, a dishwasher, a microwave, built-in cupboards and a table that folds against the wall when not in use. There is a refrigerator near the kitchen table. Upstairs there are the bedrooms which are quite simply furnished. In each bedroom there is a bedside table by the bed with a lamp on it, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. There is a spare bedroom for guests. The bathroom is the sort you expect to find in many homes – green tiles, a mirror, a bath with a shower attachment, a washbasin, and a shelf for soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. All the family share their duties in cleaning the house and helping Mary a lot. The whole house is clean and tidy. And it is easy to see that Mary is an efficient housekeeper.
Notes: 1Hampstead Heath – a vast stretch of open woodland in North West London known for its fairs.
XI. Agree or disagree with the following statements. Use there is/there are. Model: a) The Clarks’ house stands off the main road (a small garden in front of it). - Yes, there is a small garden in front of it. b) Several armchairs stand near the fireplace (two comfortable easy chairs). No, there are no (not any) armchairs near the fireplace, but there are two comfortable easy chairs near the fireplace.
1. The garden is surprisingly small (only one apple-tree and two cherry-trees). 2. The garden is situated in front of the house (at the back of the house). 3. The drawing-room looks a bit overcrowded (too much furniture). 4. In the corner of the drawing room stands a big deep sofa (a large TV set with a bowl of flowers on it). 5. Mary likes flowers (flowers in the house all year round). 6. The kitchen is conveniently arranged (built-in cupboards and a table that folds against the wall). 7. The Clarks have a spare room for guests on the ground floor (upstairs). 8. The bedrooms are quite simply furnished (a bed, a bedside table and a chest of drawers). 9. The Clarks have a fireplace in the dining room (in the drawing room). 10. Charles’s study looks untidy (books and magazines all over the place).
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