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Housing

Prepare to succeed in the Czech Maturita English exam with clear, structured, and classroom-ready materials focused on key exam topics. This section concentrates on Housing, one of the most common and predictable Maturita themes. Students learn how to organize a fluent B2-level speaking response, use appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and confidently answer examiner follow-up questions. All materials are designed for Czech learners, reflecting typical exam tasks, common mistakes, and realistic speaking expectations.

Lesson Plan: Maturita Speaking – Housing (B2)

Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will:

  • organize a 3–4 minute Maturita-style speaking answer on housing
  • use appropriate B2 vocabulary and comparisons
  • respond confidently to follow-up examiner questions

Maturita Exam – Housing Questions (B2)

Part 1 – Main Questions

  1. Describe the type of housing where you live.
  2. What types of housing are common in your country?
  3. How is housing in the city different from housing in the countryside?
  4. What do you think is the ideal home for a young person?
  5. Would you prefer to rent or buy a home? Why?
  6. How important is location when choosing a place to live?

Part 2 – Follow-up / Discussion Questions

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a small apartment?
  2. How has housing changed compared to 20 years ago?
  3. Do you think housing is more expensive for young people today? Why?
  4. How does your ideal home compare to your current home?
  5. If you could change one thing about your neighborhood, what would it be?
  6. What do you think housing will look like in the future?

Part 3 – Opinion / Hypothetical Questions

  1. If you had a lot of money, what kind of house or apartment would you buy?
  2. Would you prefer to live alone or with roommates? Explain.
  3. How would your life change if you moved to another city or country?
  4. In your opinion, should governments do more to provide affordable housing?

Notes

  • Encourage comparisons, opinions, and examples from personal experience.
  • Students should aim to speak for 3–4 minutes on the main question before follow-up questions.
  • Common Czech learner pitfalls to watch for: articles (a flat, not flat), prepositions (in the countryside, not on the countryside), word order in comparatives.

Understand What the Examiner Wants

You are assessed on:

  • Content – Did you answer the topic fully?
  • Organization – Is your answer logical and easy to follow?
  • Language – Grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation
  • Fluency – Can you speak without long pauses?
  • Interaction – Can you react to follow-up questions?
    • You do not need advanced ideas. You need clear structure and accurate language.

Recommended Structure (Follow This Order)

Use 4 clear parts. This helps you stay calm and organized.

 

Part 1: Introduction (20–30 seconds)

Say what type of housing you will talk about.

Useful phrases

  • I’m going to talk about housing, especially…
  • I’d like to focus on where people live today…

Part 2: Description (1–1.5 minutes)

Describe:

  • Types of housing (apartment, house, dorm, shared flat)
  • Location (city vs countryside)
  • Size, rooms, surroundings

Example prompts

  • Where do people usually live?
  • What is typical in your country?
  • What is your own housing situation?

Useful phrases

  • Most people live in…
  • My apartment is located…
  • It consists of…

Part 3: Comparison & Opinion (1–1.5 minutes)

Compare and give opinions:

  • City vs countryside
  • Renting vs owning
  • Living alone vs shared housing

Useful phrases

  • In my opinion…
  • Compared to living in the city…
  • One advantage is…, however a disadvantage is…

Part 4: Future / Personal View (30–45 seconds)

Talk about:

  • Your ideal home
  • Future housing trends
  • Your plans

Useful phrases

  • In the future, I would like to…
  • Ideally, I’d live in…
  • I think housing will change because…

Key Vocabulary to Use (B2 Level)

Types

  • apartment / flat
  • detached house
  • semi-detached house
  • shared accommodation

Features

  • rent, mortgage, utilities
  • furnished / unfurnished
  • neighborhood
  • public transportation

Adjectives

  • affordable / expensive
  • spacious / cramped
  • modern / traditional
  • convenient

Grammar You Should Control

Examiners expect:

  • Present simple for facts
    People usually live in apartments.
  • Comparatives
    Living in the city is more expensive than…
  • Conditionals (basic)
    If I had more money, I’d buy a house.

Common Czech Learner Mistakes (Avoid These)

❌ I live in flat → ✅ I live in an apartment
❌ On the village → ✅ In the countryside
❌ Very comfortable flat big → ✅ A very big and comfortable apartment
❌ Long silence → ✅ Use fillers: Well…, Let me think…, In my opinion…

 

What to Do If You Forget a Word

Do not stop speaking.

Use:

  • It’s something like…
  • I mean…
  • It’s a place where…

Fluency is more important than perfection.

Final Tips

  • Speak clearly, not quickly
  • Use simple but correct sentences
  • Give examples from your life
  • Show opinions, not just descriptions
  • Don’t memorize full texts — memorize structure and phrases

Exam Reminder

✔ Speak in complete ideas
✔ Use examples
✔ Keep talking — don’t panic
✔ Structure is more important than difficult vocabulary