Austing Hay, Focus 2, Unit 4 (Housing)

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 1

Austin Hay was keen to try living independently even as a teenager.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 2

Austin wanted to move because he comes from a very large family.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 3

Austin bought the materials he needed from stores in his town.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 4

Despite its size, Austin’s home contains all he requires.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 5

It’s impossible to find a house that’s any smaller than Austin’s.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 6

Austin is able to move his house wherever he wishes.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 7

Austin’s family and friends all wanted to come to his party.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 8

Austin believes he’s saving money by living in his house.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 9

Austin’s house is in a park near his parents’ home at the moment.

Have you ever wished you had your own place? That’s exactly how American teenager Austin Hay felt – before he built his own house, at the age of sixteen. Using materials which mostly came from recycling centres, he constructed his own home. It got everything he needs, including a kitchen, a bathroom (with shower), a bedroom and a toilet. The house, which is only about 40 square metres, is one of the world’s smallest houses It’s unusual for another reason too – it’s built on wheels, so Austin can take it with him wherever he goes. He did most of the work himself although he had some help from his father and family friends. The whole thing took less than two years. As soon as the house was finished, Austin held the smallest party ever. Then he moved in, and he’s lived there ever since. He likes the independence, and he likes ‘living small’, he says because it’s cheap and green. At the moment, the house is parked in his parents’ garden. However, when he leaves school and goes to university, he won’t leave it behind. He’s going to take it with him, and live in it while he studies. Then when he gets a job, he plans to take his little house with him once more.

Question 10