Discussion Focus. 1Work in small groups and find out from your partners:

We were to move in in a week and we spent every spare minute we had in the house making preparations. We got some wallpaper and paste, and borrowed buckets and brushes. We stripped the walls, and papered them, and I cleaned the place out and polished the big metal grate in the living-room. When we’d done that, on the Sunday evening, we looked round with pride. “Of course, ” Charlie said doubtfully, “it would look better if we had a bit of furniture.” We had bed linen and towels that Charlie’s mother had given us as a wedding present and some odds and ends of cutlery and crockery. Joe urged us to buy our furniture on the never-never system, and offered to lend us the money. Even though I hated taking it we agreed to accept the loan. We got a bed, oil-cloth for the living-room floor and a rug. That was all. We needed a table, but decided to get one second-hand. My grandfather gave us a chair and a small dresser. Nora and Joe gave us a little chest-of-drawers and another chair. We had newspaper curtains and a newspaper table-cloth but we were pretty pleased with ourselves and our new home.

Jane Walsh

1) Make a list of the furniture items and other household things the newly married couple got for their first home.

2) If you were in their place, would you need anything else essential for starting a family life?

3) Do you think the never-never or hire-purchase system is really helpful for many people, young couples in particular?

C Discuss with your partners the problem of flat repairs. Speak on the advantages and drawbacks of a) doing it by yourselves, b) having workmen to do it for you. Try to use the following words and expressions: