Unit 5 (House)
English 3AC Unit 5 (House) gives you the words to describe a home and say where objects are. You practise rooms, furniture, there is/there are and prepositions, while reusing present simple questions and short answers. An invented home is enough for every activity in this lesson.
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By the end of this lesson, you can
- Name rooms and common furniture.
- Describe existence with there is/are.
- Locate objects with precise prepositions.
- Distinguish where from whether questions.
- Reuse do/does for home routines.
- Write a room description in a logical order.
Before you startForm be questions and negatives. · Ask present simple questions with do/does.
Un bon cours, ça se partage.
Communication: describing a home clearly
A useful description tells your listener what a place contains and where to find things. There is a desk describes existence. The desk is next to the window describes location. Begin with the room, then move to its main objects instead of jumping from one detail to another.
Two brothers discuss a room
Adam: Is there a desk in your room? Sami: Yes, there is. It is next to the window. Adam: Where is your bag? Sami: It is under the desk. Adam: Do you read there? Sami: Yes, I do.
Vocabulary: rooms, furniture and useful combinations
| Place | Typical words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | bed, wardrobe, desk | a desk in the bedroom |
| Kitchen | cupboard, sink, fridge | a fridge in the kitchen |
| Living room | sofa, table, shelf | a sofa in the living room |
| Bathroom | shower, washbasin | a shower in the bathroom |
Room names tell you how a space is used. Do not assume every home has a garden or a separate study. Furniture is normally uncountable: some furniture, two pieces of furniture. The individual objects, such as chairs and desks, are countable.
Grammar: there is and there are
Definition
Existence : There is introduces one item or an uncountable quantity. There are introduces several items: There is a shelf. There are two chairs. There is some furniture.
| Positive | Negative | Question and reply |
|---|---|---|
| There is a desk. | There isn't a desk. | Is there a desk? Yes, there is. |
| There are two chairs. | There aren't any chairs. | Are there any chairs? No, there aren't. |
There is/are first introduces an object. After that, use a pronoun or the noun to give its position: There is a shelf. It is above the desk. Avoid using There is as a replacement for every form of is; The desk is brown describes an already identified object.
Grammar: prepositions of place
| Preposition | Meaning in this task | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | inside | The pencil is in the box. |
| on | touching the top surface | The book is on the desk. |
| under | below | The bag is under the desk. |
| next to | beside | The desk is next to the window. |
| between | in the space separating two named things | The chair is between the bed and the desk. |
| behind / in front of | at the back / at the front | The lamp is behind the chair. |
Remember
Between needs two reference points in this beginner pattern: between the bed and the desk. On and above are not identical: a book on a desk touches it; a shelf above a desk can be attached to the wall.
Step by step
Check a location sentence
- Choose the object you are locating.
- Choose one or two reference objects.
- Use a preposition supported by the description or picture.
- Read the sentence from the listener’s point of view: can they find the object?
Grammar revision: routines need do/does
Use be for a location: Is the book on the desk? Use do/does for a routine with another verb: Do you read in your room? Does Sami tidy the shelf? Answer Yes, I do or No, he doesn't. A main verb after does stays in its base form.
Location versus routine
Is Adam in the kitchen? Yes, he is. Does Adam cook on Sunday? Yes, he does.
- In the first question, be describes location. In the second, cook describes an activity.
Study skills: sketch and label
Draw a simple rectangle for an invented room. Add a door and a window before placing furniture. Label only five objects, then write their positions. A clear labelled sketch helps you check the language. It is a classroom task; you do not need to share your real address or a photograph of your home.
Skills work: reading a quiet study corner
Sami’s study corner is in his bedroom. There is one desk next to the window. A book is on the desk, and a bag is under it. There are two shelves above the desk. His pencil case is in the drawer. Sami reads in this corner after school. He does not watch television there. The television is in the living room.
Follow each it back to its noun. In a bag is under it, it refers to the desk. There are two shelves introduces a new plural object. The last sentence places the television in a different room; do not put it in the study corner.
Skills work: listening and writing
A partner reads: “There is a book on the desk. The bag is under the desk. The pencil case is in the drawer.” Draw the three objects in the correct positions without looking at the script. Then write a 50-word description of an invented room, using existence before location.
Cultural studies and review: homes are different
- Describe a space without judging its size or furnishings.
- Use an invented room if you prefer privacy.
- Distinguish one object from several objects before choosing is/are.
- Check whether each question asks about a location or a routine.
Frequently asked questions
What should I revise for English 3AC Unit 5 House?
What is the difference between there is and there are?
What is the difference between on and above?
Do I use is or does in a house question?
Can I say two furnitures?
Quiz: 18 questions
18 questions are randomly selected from this lesson’s 18-question bank. Choose one answer for each question and get an immediate explanation.
Q1Which room is usually associated with a fridge?
Incorrect answer
Kitchen is the typical location used in this vocabulary task.
Correct answer: Kitchen
Kitchen is the typical location used in this vocabulary task.
Q2Complete: There … a wardrobe.
Incorrect answer
One wardrobe is singular and takes is.
Correct answer: is
One wardrobe is singular and takes is.
Q3Complete: There … two shelves.
Incorrect answer
Two shelves is plural and takes are.
Correct answer: are
Two shelves is plural and takes are.
Q4Which noun is normally uncountable?
Incorrect answer
Furniture names furnishings collectively; individual chairs and desks can be counted.
Correct answer: Furniture
Furniture names furnishings collectively; individual chairs and desks can be counted.
Q5A book touches a desk’s top. Which preposition fits?
Incorrect answer
On describes contact with the top surface in this scene.
Correct answer: On
On describes contact with the top surface in this scene.
Q6A pencil is inside a box. It is … the box.
Incorrect answer
In describes the pencil’s position inside the container.
Correct answer: in
In describes the pencil’s position inside the container.
Q7Which sentence names two reference points?
Incorrect answer
Between uses both the bed and the desk to identify the space.
Correct answer: The chair is between the bed and the desk.
Between uses both the bed and the desk to identify the space.
Q8Question form of There is a desk?
Incorrect answer
The existence question moves is before there.
Correct answer: Is there a desk?
The existence question moves is before there.
Q9Answer Are there any lamps? negatively.
Incorrect answer
Short answers to existence questions keep there and use the matching be form.
Correct answer: No, there aren't.
Short answers to existence questions keep there and use the matching be form.
Q10Which question asks about a home routine?
Incorrect answer
Tidy is an activity; does introduces the present simple question.
Correct answer: Does Sami tidy his room?
Tidy is an activity; does introduces the present simple question.
Q11Which question asks about a location?
Incorrect answer
The location is expressed by be plus a prepositional phrase.
Correct answer: Is the book on the desk?
The location is expressed by be plus a prepositional phrase.
Q12How many shelves are in the reading?
Incorrect answer
Sami’s study corner contains two shelves above the desk.
Correct answer: Two
Sami’s study corner contains two shelves above the desk.
Q13Where is Sami’s bag in the reading?
Incorrect answer
The passage places the bag under the desk.
Correct answer: Under the desk
The passage places the bag under the desk.
Q14Where is the television in the reading?
Incorrect answer
The final sentence locates it in the living room.
Correct answer: In the living room
The final sentence locates it in the living room.
Q15When does Sami read in the study corner?
Incorrect answer
The reading identifies after school as his reading time.
Correct answer: After school
The reading identifies after school as his reading time.
Q16Which phrase counts furniture correctly?
Incorrect answer
Pieces supplies a countable unit for the uncountable noun furniture.
Correct answer: Two pieces of furniture
Pieces supplies a countable unit for the uncountable noun furniture.
Q17A shelf is attached to a wall higher than a desk. Which description is precise?
Incorrect answer
Above describes higher position without claiming contact with the desk.
Correct answer: It is above the desk.
Above describes higher position without claiming contact with the desk.
Q18Must you share your real address for the room task?
Incorrect answer
The exercise develops language skills and can be completed using invented details.
Correct answer: No; an invented room works.
The exercise develops language skills and can be completed using invented details.
Your score
0/18
Start with the worked examples
Read the lesson in small sections. Write your own example for each rule and try the Easy exercises before returning to the quiz.
Review: 18 missed questions
Which room is usually associated with a fridge?
Correct answerKitchen
Kitchen is the typical location used in this vocabulary task.
Complete: There … a wardrobe.
Correct answeris
One wardrobe is singular and takes is.
Complete: There … two shelves.
Correct answerare
Two shelves is plural and takes are.
Which noun is normally uncountable?
Correct answerFurniture
Furniture names furnishings collectively; individual chairs and desks can be counted.
A book touches a desk’s top. Which preposition fits?
Correct answerOn
On describes contact with the top surface in this scene.
A pencil is inside a box. It is … the box.
Correct answerin
In describes the pencil’s position inside the container.
Which sentence names two reference points?
Correct answerThe chair is between the bed and the desk.
Between uses both the bed and the desk to identify the space.
Question form of There is a desk?
Correct answerIs there a desk?
The existence question moves is before there.
Answer Are there any lamps? negatively.
Correct answerNo, there aren't.
Short answers to existence questions keep there and use the matching be form.
Which question asks about a home routine?
Correct answerDoes Sami tidy his room?
Tidy is an activity; does introduces the present simple question.
Which question asks about a location?
Correct answerIs the book on the desk?
The location is expressed by be plus a prepositional phrase.
How many shelves are in the reading?
Correct answerTwo
Sami’s study corner contains two shelves above the desk.
Where is Sami’s bag in the reading?
Correct answerUnder the desk
The passage places the bag under the desk.
Where is the television in the reading?
Correct answerIn the living room
The final sentence locates it in the living room.
When does Sami read in the study corner?
Correct answerAfter school
The reading identifies after school as his reading time.
Which phrase counts furniture correctly?
Correct answerTwo pieces of furniture
Pieces supplies a countable unit for the uncountable noun furniture.
A shelf is attached to a wall higher than a desk. Which description is precise?
Correct answerIt is above the desk.
Above describes higher position without claiming contact with the desk.
Must you share your real address for the room task?
Correct answerNo; an invented room works.
The exercise develops language skills and can be completed using invented details.
Exercises with answers
12 exercises, from easy practice to challenges. Try each one yourself, then reveal the answer and explanation.
Exercise 1
EasyChoose a usual room for a fridge, a bed and a sofa from kitchen, bedroom and living room.
Answer and explanation
Fridge: kitchen. Bed: bedroom. Sofa: living room. These are typical vocabulary associations, not rules about every real home.
Exercise 2
EasyComplete: There … one desk. There … two shelves. There … some furniture.
Answer and explanation
There is one desk. There are two shelves. There is some furniture. Furniture is uncountable even when it refers to several items.
Exercise 3
EasyA book touches the desk’s top. A bag is below the desk. A pencil is inside a box. Choose on, under or in.
Answer and explanation
The book is on the desk. The bag is under the desk. The pencil is in the box. Each preposition describes a different spatial relation.
Exercise 4
EasyMake questions: There is a wardrobe. There are two chairs.
Answer and explanation
Is there a wardrobe? Are there two chairs? Move the form of be before there and keep singular/plural agreement.
Exercise 5
IntermediateAnswer yes to Is there a desk? and no to Are there any lamps?
Answer and explanation
Yes, there is. No, there aren't. Existence questions use there again in their short replies.
Exercise 6
IntermediateThe chair occupies the space separating the bed from the desk. Write a sentence with between.
Answer and explanation
The chair is between the bed and the desk. Name both reference objects so the reader understands the position.
Exercise 7
IntermediateComplete: … the book on the desk? … Sami read after school? … you tidy your room?
Answer and explanation
Is the book on the desk? Does Sami read after school? Do you tidy your room? Be serves location; do/does introduce activity questions.
Exercise 8
IntermediateWhere is the bag? How many shelves are there? Where is the television? Does Sami watch it in the study corner?
Answer and explanation
The bag is under the desk. There are two shelves. The television is in the living room. Sami does not watch it in the study corner.
Exercise 9
IntermediateIn A book is on the desk, and a bag is under it, what does it refer to? Rewrite without it.
Answer and explanation
It refers to the desk: A book is on the desk, and a bag is under the desk. The noun supplies the reference point for both locations.
Exercise 10
ChallengeCorrect: There are a desk. The bag is in the desk’s top surface. Does he tidies the room? There are two furnitures.
Answer and explanation
There is a desk. The bag is on the desk. Does he tidy the room? There are two pieces of furniture. Correct number, the stated surface position, the base verb and the uncountable noun.
Exercise 11
ChallengeHave a partner read the listening script. Draw the book, bag and pencil case, then describe their positions.
Answer and explanation
Place the book on the desk, the bag under the desk and the pencil case in the drawer. A drawing with all three correct relations demonstrates comprehension.
Exercise 12
ChallengeWrite 50–70 words. Include three objects, three positions, one negative and a routine.
Answer and explanation
Model: My study corner is in a small bedroom. There is a desk next to the window. My book is on the desk, and my bag is under it. There are two shelves above the desk. There isn't a television in this room. I read here after school and tidy the desk on Saturday.
Check existence, pronoun reference and location. Do not add an s to furniture.