7.2
SOLVING PROBLEMS
68
SPEAKING AND READING
1
Work with a partner to discuss the questions.
1
Where do most people live in Bahrain? In houses or
apartments?
2
How large is the average house/apartment? Is limited
space a common problem?
3
Do young people tend to live with their parents or
live alone? Why?
2
a
Look at the photos and describe them. Which
looks the most interesting building, and why?
2
b
Read the article and match the photos with parts 1–4.
3
Read the article again and complete the table.
1
2
3
4
Who designed it?
Where is the
building?
What materials
are used?
How big is the
building?
Why is the
building special?
4
Evaluating
Work in small groups to discuss the
questions.
1
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living
in each house?
2
Which house would you most like to live in, and why?
3
Which of the following do you think are the most
important problems facing architects in Bahrain?
• insulation (maintaining heat in cold climates)
• keeping cool in hot climates
• efficient use of space
• being environmentally friendly
• fitting in with the local surroundings
• being visually attractive
5
Match words in the article with their meanings 1–6.
1
excellent and unusual (part 1)
2
extremely clever (part 1)
3
many (part 2)
4
not having enough space (part 3)
5
the shape or arrangement of the parts of something
(part 3)
6
tiny (part 4)
GRAMMAR
THE PASSIVE (1)
6
a
Look at the three highlighted examples of the passive
in the article. Match them with statements a and b.
a
We use the passive if the agent is unimportant,
obvious or unknown.
b
If the agent is specified, this comes at the end of the
clause and follows
by
.
6
b
Match the highlighted examples with the tenses.
•
present simple
•
present continuous
•
future simple
6
c
How are the passives formed?
¬
Language reference and extra practice, pages 126–149
7
Complete the sentences with the correct passive
form of the verb (present simple, present continuous
or future simple). Sometimes there is more than one
possible answer.
1
At present, several space-saving houses
(manufacture) by our firm.
2
Triangular floating schools
(build) in Nigeria
in the near future.
3
The house
(make) mainly of glass.
4
New apartments
(build) across the street.
5
Next year, the disused garages
(convert) into
affordable homes.
6
Research
(carry out) by the R&D team into
the living needs of young adults.
7
The project
(not finish) on time if we don’t
get the information we need.
LISTENING
8
a
7.2
Marta Gattarosa, an architect, is answering
questions from students of architecture. Listen and
write the three questions they ask.
8
b
Listen again and take notes on her answers.
8
c
Compare your notes with a partner.
SPEAKING
9
Work in small groups. Why do young people
increasingly live with their parents till later in life?
Think about these questions and discuss.
•
Is it more expensive for young people these days
(college loans, expensive car insurance)?
•
What percentage of their income do people spend
on rent/mortgage?
•
Is there a lack of affordable housing?
•
Are there other reasons why young people might
choose to stay at home?
•
Are people getting married and having families when
they are older?
