House Repairs and Responsibilities
Listen to the Summary
I’ve been meaning to talk about the house for a while. Things are starting to pile up, and we really need to get on top of the repairs before they turn into bigger problems. The kitchen sink has been leaking for weeks, and the fence out back is barely standing. We can’t just put it off forever or hope it fixes itself. Let’s divide up the tasks this weekend—maybe I’ll handle the sink, and you can deal with the fence or call someone to help.
We also need to set aside some money for maintenance each month, so it’s not such a shock when things break. I know everyone’s been busy, but keeping up with small things now will save us a lot of stress later. It’s not about blaming anyone; it’s about working together and staying organized. A clean, well-maintained house makes life easier for all of us.
Friend’s Text Message
I stopped by earlier, but you were busy fixing something. What’s been going on at your house lately? Why did you say you can’t “put it off” anymore, and what did you mean by “get on top of” the repairs?
Student Writing Tasks
Write a text reply to your friend’s message.
Use clear, polite sentences.
Summarize what the speaker said in your own words.
Use in Your Daily Life
What do the following idioms and phrasal verbs mean in these sentences from everyday life?
I really need to get on top of my bills before they’re overdue.
Don’t put off your dentist appointment—it’ll only get worse.
Let’s divide up the chores so we finish faster.
We should set aside a little extra money for emergencies.
