Living in a building without an elevator can be inconvenient, especially if your apartment is on a high floor. In this lesson, we will discuss the challenges and benefits of buildings without elevators, describe building features, and practice vocabulary and expressions related to accessibility and daily life.
Grammar Focus
Negative Sentences with "There is/There are"
- Form: There is no (singular) / There are no (plural).
- Example: "There is no elevator in the building." / "There are no stairs on this side."
Using “Have to” for Necessity
- Form: Subject + have/has to + verb
- Example: "I have to take the stairs every day."
Prepositions of Place for Location
- Common prepositions: between, next to, near, on.
- Example: "The staircase is next to the lobby."
Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator | A lift for moving between floors in a building | "There is no elevator, so we take the stairs." |
| Stairs | A series of steps leading from one floor to another | "The stairs are narrow but easy to climb." |
| Floor | A level of a building | "My apartment is on the third floor." |
| Accessibility | How easy it is for everyone to access a place | "Buildings without elevators lack accessibility." |
| Convenient | Easy to use; practical | "Having an elevator is very convenient." |
| Building | A structure with walls and a roof | "The building is old and doesn’t have modern features." |
| Lobby | The main entrance area of a building | "The lobby is on the ground floor." |
| Carry | To move something by hand | "I have to carry my groceries up the stairs." |
| Exhausted | Very tired | "I feel exhausted after climbing five flights of stairs." |
| Maintenance | The act of keeping something in good condition | "Elevator maintenance is expensive." |
Useful Expressions
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "There’s no elevator in the building." | Explains that the building lacks an elevator. |
| "I have to climb the stairs every day." | Describes a daily necessity due to no elevator. |
| "It’s on the top floor, so it’s a bit inconvenient." | Highlights the difficulty of living high up without an elevator. |
| "Carrying heavy bags up the stairs is hard." | Explains the challenge of using stairs with heavy items. |
| "The building isn’t accessible for everyone." | Indicates a lack of facilities for people with disabilities. |
| "The staircase is narrow and steep." | Describes the physical features of the stairs. |
| "It’s a good workout climbing all those stairs." | Finds a positive aspect of climbing stairs. |
| "This building is very old and lacks modern features." | Explains why there is no elevator. |
| "We need to move to a more accessible place." | Suggests finding a better location with modern amenities. |
| "Living on the first floor would solve the problem." | Suggests a solution to avoid climbing stairs. |
Sentences
- There’s no elevator in the building, so we use the stairs.
- The building has five floors, and I live on the top floor.
- Carrying groceries up the stairs is very exhausting.
- This building is old, which is why there is no elevator.
- My grandmother finds it hard to visit because of the stairs.
- Living on a lower floor would be much more convenient.
- The staircase is well-lit, but it’s still tiring to climb.
- I have to climb three flights of stairs to get to my apartment.
- Elevators are expensive to install in older buildings.
- Moving furniture without an elevator is a big challenge.
Questions and Answers
Q: Why isn’t there an elevator in the building?
A: The building is old, and it wasn’t designed with an elevator.Q: How many floors does the building have?
A: The building has four floors.Q: What’s the biggest challenge of not having an elevator?
A: Carrying heavy items up the stairs is very difficult.Q: Is the building accessible for everyone?
A: No, it’s not accessible for people with mobility issues.Q: How do you feel about living in a building without an elevator?
A: It’s inconvenient, but I see it as a good workout!
Conversation
Emma: Did you know there’s no elevator in this building?
Tom: Really? How do people get to the upper floors?
Emma: They have to use the stairs. It’s not too bad if you live on the second floor.
Tom: What about the top floor? That must be exhausting!
Emma: It is. I live on the fourth floor, and carrying groceries is a challenge.
Tom: I don’t think I could manage that every day.
Emma: It’s a good workout, though! And I save money because the rent is cheaper.
Tom: That’s a good point. Still, I prefer a building with an elevator.
Reading Passage
Many older buildings, especially those in historic areas, lack elevators. While this might not be a problem for people living on the first or second floors, it can be a significant inconvenience for those on higher levels. Climbing several flights of stairs daily is tiring, especially for families with young children, elderly residents, or people carrying heavy items.
On the positive side, living in a building without an elevator can encourage physical activity. Climbing stairs is a form of exercise that helps improve fitness. Additionally, buildings without elevators often have lower rent or maintenance fees, making them a budget-friendly option for some.
However, accessibility is a concern. Without an elevator, the building may not be suitable for individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. As a result, more modern buildings prioritize installing elevators to accommodate everyone.
Despite the challenges, some residents enjoy the charm and simplicity of older buildings. They find ways to adapt, such as living on lower floors or minimizing the number of trips they take up and down the stairs.
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