77.Visiting others, accommodation

Q.1 In your country, when people visit other people in their homes, do they usually bring a gift?

Ans-Well, it mainly depends on the reason for their visit. If they just pop round to their neighbour, relative or friend in order to give or take a key, a book or something else, of course, they generally don't bring any gift with them. But if they are invited for a dinner party or for just watching some film together, they definitely bring some gift with them as a friendly gesture or a polite 'thank you'. These can be flowers, a pie or a fruit basket for a hostess, a case of beer and some snacks for a host. These can also be household items like coasters, storage jars, candles or napkin rings. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention that people in my country often come for a visit with a bottle of wine and then crush it together with the hosts. So, yes, my compatriots usually pay visits bringing some pleasant things with them.

Q.2 What kind of houses or apartments do people prefer to buy?

Ans-Well, I think most people prefer to buy homes that are modern and already renovated. It saves them the time, effort, and extra money that would go into fixing things later. Nobody really wants to move into a place and start dealing with old wiring or broken tiles. Another big thing is location. So many people want properties in safe neighborhoods with good transport and infrastructure. Being close to work, schools, or shops just makes daily life easier. Plus, safe areas usually keep their value better over time. So in general, people want something that's comfortable now and a smart choice for the future.

Q.3 What is the difference between living in the countryside and the city?

Ans-I guess that the most striking difference is that in the countryside there isn't much traffic even during rush hours. Again, as there are fewer vehicles emitting exhaust fumes, rural areas are nowhere near as polluted as urban ones. So the air is definitely fresher. This is why it's highly likely that people living in the country live longer. However, there may be a number of people who won't appreciate these benefits as there aren't many opportunities for professional growth and the choice of facilities is limited.

Q.4 Do you prefer to live in the city or in the countryside?

Ans-Oh no! Not until I retire! I'm only 25 and dreaming of a high-flying career, but I'm afraid that living in the countryside will leave my career in tatters. Besides, I'm a very active and sociable person, so I think I will be bored to death being deprived of an active social life and abundance of entertainment options a big city provides.