The Apartment Search:An ESL Listening Practice Story With Housing Vocabulary
- Rose Sensei
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 18
🎧 ESL Listening and Reading Practice With Story
Read the story "The Apartment Search" below for reading practice. Then, watch the video to improve your listening and pronunciation!
The story focuses on asking for and giving information and includes housing vocabulary such as "rent," "furnished," and "neighbourhood."
Watch and Learn! For more ESL reading and listening practice video lessons, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
🎥 Check out the YouTube video with 🗣️voice narration & dialogue for listening:
👉The Apartment Search - ESL Listening Story https://youtu.be/LKJpHGjabrE
✏️Reading Practice Tip
Read the story once without stopping. Focus on understanding the main idea. Then read again and note down any new words.
📚The Story: The Apartment Search
Anna has recently moved to the city for her new job and needs to find a place to live. She visits a local real estate office to speak with an agent, Mark, who shows her a few options.
👩Anna:"Hello, I'm looking for an apartment to rent. Can you help me?"
👨🦱Mark:"Of course! What kind of apartment are you looking for? Do you want something furnished or unfurnished?"
👩Anna:"I’d prefer a furnished apartment, if possible. Also, I’d like something close to work. How much is the rent for something like that?"
👨🦱Mark:"Well, for a furnished one-bedroom apartment, the rent would be about $1,200 per month. It's in a nice neighbourhood with cafes and parks nearby."
👩Anna:"That sounds good. Can you tell me more about the neighbourhood? Is it quiet?"
👨🦱Mark:"Yes, it’s a quiet area, but it’s also very central. There are good public transport connections, and the building is close to shops and restaurants."
👩Anna:"Sounds perfect. Are there any available now?"
👨🦱Mark:"We have one available next week, but it’s on the second floor. If that works for you, we can schedule a viewing."
👩Anna:"I think that will be fine. Let’s set up a time for the viewing."
👨🦱Mark:"Great! I’ll send you the details by email."
🙇♂️Comprehension Questions
What is Anna looking for?
A) A job
B) An apartment
C) A new friend
What kind of apartment does Anna want?
A) Unfurnished
B) A studio
C) Furnished
How much is the rent for the apartment?
A) $800
B) $1,200
C) $1,500
What is the neighbourhood like?
A) Noisy
B) Dangerous
C) Quiet and central
When is the apartment available?
A) Today
B) In two weeks
C) Next week
🔑Answer
B) An apartment
C) Furnished
B) $1,200
C) Quiet and central
C) Next week
📌🏠Vocabulary List & Meanings:
Rent : The amount of money paid regularly for the use of an apartment, house, or land.
e.g. "The rent for the apartment is $1,200 per month."
Furnished : Refers to an apartment or house that comes with furniture (e.g., a bed, sofa, table).
e.g. "I’d prefer a furnished apartment, if possible."
Unfurnished: An apartment or house that does not come with furniture.
e.g. "Some apartments are unfurnished, so you would need to buy your own furniture."
Neighbourhood: A district or area of a town or city where people live.
e.g. "It’s a quiet neighbourhood, with parks and cafes."
Available: Something that is ready to be used or rented.
e.g. "We have an apartment available next week."
Public Transport : Systems of transport that are available for use by the general public, like buses, trains, or subways.
e.g. "There are good public transport connections."
Viewing : A scheduled visit to look at an apartment or house.
e.g. "Let’s schedule a time for the viewing."
Central : Located in the middle of a town or city, often close to shops, restaurants, and services.
e.g. "The neighbourhood is central, close to everything."
Second Floor : The floor above the ground level in a building (commonly used in British English).
e.g. "The apartment is on the second floor."
Details: Specific pieces of information or facts.
e.g. "I’ll send you the details by email."
📌Quiz Questions
What does "furnished" mean in the context of an apartment?
How would you ask an agent about the rent?
What’s a good question to ask about the neighbourhood?
💬 Tell Us What You Think!
Did you enjoy this ESL story 'The Apartment Search' for reading and listening practice?
Leave your thoughts in the comments! Or share this with a study partner and act out the story together!
🎥 Related Videos: YouTube Channel Playlist
🔗ESL Listening Practice With Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/37rf8e23
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
🔗Quick and Easy Vocabulary https://tinyurl.com/44chnrb9
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