Fannie Mae Foundation: How to Buy a Home

Talk about it!
Assign learners to groups and ask them to look at the newspaper ads on this page. Ask them to discuss the answers to the three questions. Remind them that they are to give their opinions. Ask groups to report their answers to the class.

Answers will vary.

Vocabulary — abbreviations
Ask learners to supply the word for each abbreviation. Mention that learners may see different abbreviations for the same word in different classified ads. Have the class look through newspaper ads in the local newspaper and add abbreviations to this list.

Grammar review
Review the superlative form of adjectives. Demonstrate how the superlative is formed with one-syllable and some two-syllable words and with words of two or more syllables. Point out that the precedes the superlative form of adjectives. Refer back to the Grammar review and discuss the differences between comparatives and superlatives.

Have learners use the superlative form to write sentences comparing and contrasting the houses listed in the newspaper ads in the Talk about it section on this page.

Unit 2 : Lesson 2: How to find the right home

Newspaper ads Houses for Sale

Pinehill	$90,500
3 BR, 2 1/2 BA duplex, overlooks park, 1-car gar. For sale by owner 999-555-3490

Avon	$50,000
2 BR, red brick col., needs work. Open Sat 9 - 12. Granger Realty 999-555-9867

Springfield	$135,000
Charming TH, 2BR, 1BA (potential for 2nd). Lg eat-in kit w/Fr doors, DR & LR w/new hdwd flrs, off st prkg, back yd, brick patio, 910 Pendleton. 999-555-3672

Talk about it!

Discuss these questions with your classmates. Report your group’s answers to the class.
In your opinion...

1. Why is the house in Avon the least expensive?

2. Why is the house in Springfield the most expensive?

3. Which house might you buy? Explain your answer.

Vocabulary—abbreviations

What do these abbreviations mean? Look through newspaper ads in your local paper and add other abbreviations to this list.

BA ____________________________

TH ____________________________

LR ____________________________

BR ____________________________

Lg ____________________________

hdwd flrs ____________________________

gar ____________________________

w/Fr doors ____________________________

yd ____________________________

Grammar review

Comparing three or more things or three or more groups of things

The superlative degree of one-syllable adjectives is formed by adding est.

One-syllable superlative = adjective + est
Example: (old–oldest)
The white house is the oldest house in the neighborhood.

The superlative degree of adjectives with more than two syllables is formed by using most.

More than two syllables = most + adjective
Example: (attractive–most attractive)
The real estate agent showed us the most attractive houses in town.

The precedes the superlative form of all adjectives.

Use the superlative degree of adjectives to write sentences comparing the homes listed in the newspaper ads at the top of this page.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________

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