英國人現在比以往任何時候都更需要依靠租房來解決住房問題。通常情況下，為了節省費用，不少人都選擇和陌生人合租一套房子或公寓。與自己獨租一個地方相比，除了節省租金以外，合租其實還有很多其它好處。當然，合租也有它的缺點。本文討論與人合租公寓的優缺點。

詞匯：renting 租房

Grimy coffee cups, dirty clothes all over the floor and uninvited guests – and they're not even yours! These are the joys of flatsharing. So why do we do it? Well, for many, buying a house or flat is just too expensive. In fact, according to the Guardian, the total amount of rent paid by tenants in Britain in 2017 rose to more than ￡50 billion – more than double the level of ten years prior. And for those who do, many choose to share the place with strangers to save money. You rent a room and share the kitchen, living room and bathroom, for example. But apart from the financial saving, what are the pros and cons of flatsharing?

The pros? Well, living with others means that you can pool your resources. You may not even need to ask; just leave an IOU. Then there's the fact that you gain access to their social networks. Living with people means meeting their friends, who may then become your friends. And don't forget the networking opportunity. Lastly, there's the emotional support. Due to the nature of communal living, you're not just dealing with your own life events, but other people's too. Most likely, there'll always be a shoulder to cry on when you need one. But don't forget to reciprocate when they need it.

Now the cons. There's limited storage space, for a start. In most cases, the kitchen, for example, will be divvied up into designated shelves and areas. Worse, many people may not respect these boundaries. You might well come home to find someone's pilfered your milk or shower gel, and no one owns up to it. Furthermore, despite the rota showing that cleaning is everyone's responsibility, some people don't like to pull their weight. And then there are the unexpected guests. If a flatmate forgets to keep you in the loop about a party they're throwing and all you want is a quiet night, it can be challenging.

Whether the pros outweigh the cons is something everyone must decide for themselves. Some people prefer their own space, while others thrive in a social environment. Regardless, for many who lack the means to buy their own property, a flatshare is, and will continue to be, a necessity.

詞匯表

house 房子，住宅
flat 公寓，單元房
rent 房租
tenant 租戶，租房客
IOU 欠條 （I owe you 的縮寫）
social network （某人的）社交網絡
networking 建立人脈
emotional support 精神支持
communal 共享的，公共的
a shoulder to cry on 可以傾訴的對象
reciprocate 回報
storage space 存儲空間
divvy up 分享
designated 指定的
pilfer 小偷小摸
own up 承認，坦白
pull your weight 獻上自己的力量
flatmate 合住一套公寓的人
keep you in the loop 給你及時提供消息
property 房產

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

1. True or false: More rent is being paid in Britain than 10 years ago.

2. Which rooms are commonly shared in a flatshare?

3. What can you do if you need to borrow something and no one is around to ask?

4. How can flatsharing help your career?

5. What is there often a lack of in a flatshare?

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. He just borrowed the car and left me an _______. He didn't even ask!

IUO                          IOU                       OIU                        UIO

2. I love my best friend. She's always a _______ when I feel sad.

neck to cry on           hip to cry on         leg to cry on          shoulder to cry on

3. Once they had escaped with the money, the robbers _______ it up.

borrowed                  pilfered                 divvied                    owned

4. My manager asked me to send an email and keep her _______ about developments.

in the loop                in the hoop            on the stoop           in the coop

5. If we all _______ our money, we could buy a house together!

Borrow                     reciprocate            lend                        pool

答案

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。  

1. True or false: More rent is being paid in Britain than 10 years ago.
True. In 2017 rent paid rose to more than ￡50 billion – more than double the level of ten years prior.

2. Which rooms are commonly shared in a flatshare?
You rent a room and share the kitchen, living room and bathroom. 

3. What can you do if you need to borrow something and no one is around to ask? 
Leave an IOU.

4. How can flatsharing help your career?
Living with people means meeting their friends, which is a great networking opportunity.

5. What is there often a lack of in a flatshare?
There is often limited storage space.

2 . 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. He just borrowed the car and left me an IOU He didn't even ask!

2. I love my best friend. She's always a shoulder to cry on when I feel sad.

3. Once they had escaped with the money, the robbers divvied it up.

4. My manager asked me to send an email and keep her in the loop about developments.

5. If we all pool our money, we could buy a house together!