House is essential for man's life. A house serves as a shelter and a place to satisfy all our needs: we sleep, eat, hide ourselves from bad weather, store personal property, work and rest there. So we want not just a house but a home. So what is the difference between a house and a home? It is considered that the place where you live is your home whatever type of house it is. British speakers often say that your home is the place where you belong and feel comfortable, so it is more than just a house. Some people think of home in terms of where they grew up or where they lived. For them it is a place that brings back old memories or feelings. The state of a person's home can physiologically influence his or her behavior, emotions, and mental health. Some people may become homesick when they are separated from their home environment.
There are a lot of proverbs and sayings supporting the importance of home to a person: East or West, home is best; There is no place like home; My house is my fortress; Home, sweet home; Home is where the heart is; Home is home, though it be never so homely; Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad and many others. Such sayings exist in any language and in any culture. Houses differ from one culture to another, depending on the world outlook of a certain community, which has its roots in the religion of a nation, its traditions and historic heritage. That is why there are so many types of houses and ways of life in the world. There are certain cultures in which members lack permanent homes, such as with nomadic people.
A person's home can tell us what culture he belongs to, because consciously or unconsciously, one usually keeps to one's native traditions, though it is rather difficult to do so in the modern world, especially in the city.
An Englishman's motto is 'My home is my castle.' A house doesn't only ensure privacy or give a sense of stability and security, but it is also a status symbol. A big and expensive house means that its owner is a very successful person. There are different types of houses in Britain. For example, a terraced house is a house joined to a row of other houses. A semi-detached house is joined to another house. The British dream of living in a detached house (which means a separate building) though having a detached house is much more expensive than a semi-detached or a terraced one. A cottage is a small, usually old house, typically in a rural, or semi-rural location. A bungalow is a fairly modern house built on only one level. Most people don't like blocks of flats, because they don't suit British attitudes and don't give people enough privacy. Besides many blocks of flats are badly built and are associated with poverty and crime.
Nowadays some people prefer living in a houseboat. It is a boat designed to be used as a human dwelling. In the United Kingdom, canal narrowboats are used as homes and also as mobile, rented, holiday accommodation. Over 15,000 people live afloat in Great Britain. They are found throughout the canals, rivers and coasts; in cities, in the country and in harbours. Some cruise continuously, some are permanently moored and the others mix cruising and mooring. Many people find houseboats very attractive because they can stay in one area for a few weeks or months and than move somewhere else. It helps them feel closer to Nature and escape from everyday problems of life ashore.
While travelling many people use a travel trailer or a caravan which is towed behind a road vehicle. It is much more comfortable than a tent and it gives travellers the opportunity not to spend their money on a motel or hotel. There are travel trailers and caravans of various types. They may be little more than a tent on wheels or they may contain several rooms with furniture and equipment. Travel trailers are especially popular in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
A house can say much about its inhabitants: their way of life, tastes, financial position, etc. No matter what type of house a person has, he should feel comfortable there. As a rule one's house is associated with one's family. Living under one roof people become closer and begin to understand each other better. So we can say that a house unites and for every person his house is a small Universe, a sacred place where love, friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect reign.
TASKS
1. Complete each sentence (A—H) with one of the endings (1—8):
A. British speakers often say that your home is
B. The state of a person's home can
C. A house doesn't only ensure privacy or give a sense of stability and security, but it is also
D. Most people don't like blocks of flats, because they
E. In the United Kingdom, canal narrowboats are used as homes and also as
F. A travel trailer is much more comfortable than a tent and it gives travellers the opportunity
G. Travel trailers are especially popular in
H. For every person his house is
1. not to spend their money on a motel or hotel.
2. don't suit British attitudes and don't give people enough privacy.
3. a small Universe, a sacred place where love, friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect reign.
4. physiologically influence his or her behavior, emotions, and mental health.
5. North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
6. the place where you belong and feel comfortable.
7. a status symbol.
8. mobile, rented, holiday accommodation.