General Listening Quiz

Discuss the kinds of mishaps or accidents that can occur around the house that might require home repairs or house cleaning. Use the following verbs and nouns or others you know to make sentences. Then write some of the ideas on the board.

VERBS: burn, break, cut, damage, fall, ruin, scratch, slip, spill, tear
NOUNS: bathtub, carpet, chair, door, dinner, floor, ladder, stairs, stove, wall

1. It’s better to hire professionals than to clean up a disaster yourself.
2. Insurance companies should always cover the cost of home damage cleanup.
3. Cleaning up quickly after a disaster helps protect your health.
4. Friends and neighbors are the best support during home emergencies.
5. Flood damage is harder to clean up than fire damage.
6. People should always have emergency supplies and tools at home.
7. It’s more stressful to lose personal items than to lose part of your home.
8. Home disaster cleanup is a good time to get rid of things you don’t need.
9. After a disaster, it’s important to check for hidden damage.
10. Everyone should learn basic cleanup and safety skills before they’re needed.

“a going over” = an often fast cleaning
“The house needs a good going over before our guests arrive.”

“elbow grease” = hard work
“Put a little elbow grease into cleaning that bathtub.”

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

Describe a time when you experienced a disaster, small or great, at your home or in your area.

In this particular situation, what would you do and what company would you call to help you solve the problem?

1. A gas leak at home
2. A flood resulting from a broken water pipe
3. A leaking roof cause by a storm
4. Your attic fills with bats who now live there
5. A tree falls on your house