{ "id": "flat-viewing", "title": "Viewing a flat", "group": "daily", "partner": { "name": "Rob", "role": "letting agent" }, "topic": [ "flat", "apartment", "rent*", "bill*", "deposit", "room*", "bedroom*", "kitchen", "bathroom", "living room", "landlord", "contract", "move in", "moving in", "furnished", "heating", "window*", "view*", "neighbour*", "neighbor*", "area", "parking", "garden", "balcony", "agent" ], "levels": { "A2": { "goal": "Ask about the price and the bills, and when you can move in.", "phrases": [ { "text": "How much is the rent?", "re": "\\bhow much is the rent\\b" }, { "text": "Are bills included?", "re": "\\bincluded\\b" }, { "text": "When is it free?", "re": "\\bwhen is it (free|available)\\b" }, { "text": "Can I have pets?", "re": "\\b(can|could) i (have|keep|bring) (a )?(pets?|dogs?|cats?)\\b" }, { "text": "I'd like to move in next month.", "re": "\\bmove in\\b" } ], "words": [ { "w": "the rent", "m": "the money you pay every month for your home" }, { "w": "bills", "m": "money for gas, electricity and water" }, { "w": "to move in", "m": "to start living in a new home" } ], "steps": [ { "id": "room", "task": "Say what you think of the room", "say": "Hi, come in! This is the living room. Do you like it?", "hint": "Is it nice? Is it big or small?", "model": "Yes, it's really nice. It's very bright.", "options": [ { "id": "like", "any": [ "nice", "lovely", "big", "bright", "light", "beautiful", "like it", "love it", "great", "good", "cosy", "cozy", "sunny", "clean", "wow", "yes", "yeah", "spacious", "pretty", "modern", "amazing", "perfect", "okay", "ok", "fine", "not bad" ], "reply": "Yes, it gets lots of light." }, { "id": "small", "any": [ "small", "little", "tiny", "not big", "too small", "a bit small" ], "reply": "It's small, but the bedroom is big." }, { "id": "other", "any": [ "dark", "old", "cold", "noisy", "not sure", "not really", "no", "don't like", "ugly", "dirty" ], "reply": "@i-see" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "yes it's really nice => like", "it's a bit small => small", "yes it's nice but a bit small => small", "it's quite dark => other", "I love it => like" ], "partly": [ "how much is the rent" ], "off": [ "I work at a hospital" ] } }, { "id": "rent", "task": "Ask about the bills", "say": "The rent is nine hundred a month. Any questions?", "hint": "Ask about the bills, maybe?", "model": "Are bills included?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "bills", "any": [ "bill*", "included", "include*", "water", "electric*", "gas", "internet", "wifi", "wi fi", "heating", "extra" ], "reply": "Bills are extra, about a hundred." }, { "id": "deposit", "any": [ "deposit", "pay first", "before i move", "advance" ], "reply": "It's one month's rent." }, { "id": "pets", "any": [ "pet*", "dog*", "cat", "cats", "animal*" ], "reply": "Sorry, no pets." }, { "id": "cheaper", "any": [ "cheaper", "lower", "less", "discount", "expensive", "too much", "negotiat*" ], "reply": "Sorry, the price is fixed." }, { "id": "none", "any": [ "no", "no questions", "nothing", "that's fine", "okay", "ok", "fine", "good", "great", "perfect", "cheap" ] } ], "tests": { "on": [ "are bills included => bills", "how much is the deposit => deposit", "can I have pets => pets", "that's expensive => cheaper", "no that's fine => none", "is internet included => bills" ], "partly": [ "it's a nice room" ], "off": [ "I usually take the bus to school" ] } }, { "id": "move", "task": "Say when you want to move in", "say": "When would you like to move in?", "hint": "Next month, maybe? Or later?", "model": "Next month, if that's okay. When is it free?", "options": [ { "id": "free", "any": [ "when is it free", "is it free", "free", "available", "when can i", "earliest", "when is it" ], "reply": "It's free from next month." }, { "id": "time", "any": [ "now", "today", "tomorrow", "soon", "next week", "this week", "next month", "month*", "week*", "asap", "as soon as", "right away", "immediately", "january", "february", "march", "april", "may", "june", "july", "august", "september", "october", "november", "december", "monday", "tuesday", "wednesday", "thursday", "friday", "saturday", "sunday", "summer", "later", "first", "/\\b\\d+\\b/", "weekend" ], "reply": "@perfect" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "next month if that's okay. When is it free => free", "as soon as possible => time", "in June => time", "is it available now => free" ], "partly": [ "are bills included" ], "off": [ "my favourite food is pizza" ] } }, { "id": "apply", "task": "Say if you want to apply", "say": "Would you like to apply?", "hint": "Do you want it? Or do you need time?", "model": "Yes, please. I'd like to apply.", "options": [ { "id": "think", "any": [ "think", "not sure", "later", "tomorrow", "let you know", "talk to", "partner", "wife", "husband", "other flats", "more time", "call you", "need time", "maybe" ], "reply": "@no-problem" }, { "id": "yes", "any": [ "yes", "yeah", "apply", "take it", "want it", "i'll take", "love it", "sure", "definitely", "form", "please", "of course", "let's do it" ], "reply": "Great. I'll email you the form." }, { "id": "no", "any": [ "no", "not for me", "not interested", "don't want", "too expensive", "too small" ], "reply": "@okay" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "yes please I'd like to apply => yes", "I need to think about it => think", "no thank you => no", "maybe I'll call you tomorrow => think", "no I need to think => think" ], "partly": [ "is it free next month" ], "off": [ "I am learning to play the piano" ] } } ], "close": "Thanks for coming. Here's my card.", "watch": [ { "re": "\\b(bills?|water|electricity|internet|wifi|heating|gas) (are |is )?(?:inside|inclusive)\\b", "better": "$1 $2included", "note": "“Included” is the word: are bills included?", "tests": { "yes": [ "the bills are inside", "is water inclusive" ], "no": [ "are bills included", "the bills are extra" ] } }, { "re": "\\b(when )?(?:i can|can i) enter\\b", "better": "$1can I move in", "note": "For a new home, you “move in”.", "tests": { "yes": [ "when I can enter", "can I enter next month" ], "no": [ "when can I move in", "can I come in" ] } }, { "re": "\\banimals\\b", "better": "pets", "note": "For animals that live with you, we say “pets”.", "tests": { "yes": [ "can I have animals", "I have two animals" ], "no": [ "can I have pets" ] } } ] }, "B1": { "goal": "Find out the details, ask about problems and say if you're interested.", "phrases": [ { "text": "What are the bills usually?", "re": "\\b(usually|normally|on average)\\b" }, { "text": "Do I get the deposit back?", "re": "\\b(deposit|it) back\\b" }, { "text": "Has there been any damp?", "re": "\\bdamp\\b" }, { "text": "I'm really interested.", "re": "\\binterested\\b" } ], "words": [ { "w": "on top of the rent", "m": "extra, not part of the rent" }, { "w": "a deposit", "m": "money you pay first and get back at the end" }, { "w": "damp", "m": "when walls get wet and cold" } ], "steps": [ { "id": "kitchen", "task": "Say what you think of the kitchen", "say": "So, this is the kitchen. It's quite small.", "hint": "Is it big enough for you?", "model": "It's a bit small, but it looks clean and modern.", "options": [ { "id": "small", "any": [ "small", "little", "tiny", "compact", "not big", "a bit", "cupboard*", "space", "storage", "old", "dark", "not much", "too small", "not enough" ], "reply": "Yes, but it's all new." }, { "id": "things", "any": [ "oven", "fridge", "dishwasher", "washing machine", "washer", "freezer", "cooker", "microwave", "how old" ], "reply": "@of-course" }, { "id": "like", "any": [ "nice", "lovely", "love", "like", "modern", "new", "clean", "bright", "great", "good", "fine", "perfect", "big enough", "enough", "okay", "ok" ], "reply": "@good" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "it's a bit small but it looks clean and modern => small", "it's big enough for me => like", "is there a dishwasher => things", "I like it => like" ], "partly": [ "how much is the rent" ], "off": [ "I'm studying engineering at university" ] } }, { "id": "bills", "task": "Ask about the bills", "say": "Bills are on top of the rent, by the way.", "hint": "You could ask how much they are.", "model": "What are the bills usually, more or less?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "much", "any": [ "how much", "usually", "average", "more or less", "roughly", "per month", "a month", "each month", "cost*", "expensive", "estimate", "normally", "which", "what bills", "internet", "wifi", "water", "electric*", "gas", "council tax", "include*", "what are the bills" ], "reply": "About a hundred a month." }, { "id": "rent", "any": [ "how much is the rent", "the rent", "cheaper", "lower", "negotiable", "discount" ], "reply": "It's a thousand a month." }, { "id": "fine", "any": [ "okay", "ok", "fine", "no problem", "that's fine", "good to know", "thanks for telling", "i see", "right", "understood", "makes sense" ] } ], "tests": { "on": [ "what are the bills usually more or less => much", "how much is the rent => rent", "okay good to know => fine", "is internet included => much" ], "partly": [ "the kitchen is nice" ], "off": [ "my sister has two children" ] } }, { "id": "bedroom", "task": "Ask about a problem", "say": "This is the bedroom. Sorry, it's a bit cold.", "hint": "Any worries? Heating, damp, noise?", "model": "Has there been any damp in here?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "damp", "any": [ "damp", "mould", "mold", "wet", "water", "leak*", "walls", "window*", "condensation", "smell*", "black spots" ], "reply": "There was a bit, but it's fixed." }, { "id": "heating", "any": [ "heating", "heater*", "radiator*", "cold", "warm*", "boiler", "insulation", "heat", "winter" ], "reply": "It's just off today." }, { "id": "noise", "any": [ "noise", "noisy", "neighbour*", "neighbor*", "quiet", "street", "traffic", "loud", "road" ], "reply": "It's very quiet here." }, { "id": "like", "any": [ "nice", "lovely", "big", "bright", "like it", "love it", "good size", "fine", "okay", "no problem" ], "reply": "@good" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "has there been any damp in here => damp", "is the heating working => heating", "are the neighbours noisy => noise", "it's a nice big room => like", "it's nice and quiet => noise" ], "partly": [ "what are the bills usually" ], "off": [ "I go running every Saturday" ] } }, { "id": "deposit", "task": "Say if you are interested", "say": "The deposit is five weeks' rent. Interested?", "hint": "Apply now, or think about it?", "model": "I'm really interested. Do I get the deposit back at the end?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "back", "any": [ "deposit back", "get it back", "back", "return*", "refund*", "when i leave", "at the end", "protect*", "scheme" ], "reply": "Yes, if there's no damage." }, { "id": "money", "any": [ "how much", "total", "a lot", "too much", "expensive", "high", "pay it", "when do i pay", "cheaper", "lower" ], "reply": "About eleven fifty." }, { "id": "interested", "any": [ "interested", "like it", "love it", "i'll take", "take it", "want it", "apply", "yes", "definitely", "keen", "yeah", "sure" ], "reply": "Great. Don't wait too long." }, { "id": "think", "any": [ "think", "let you know", "tomorrow", "talk to", "partner", "not sure", "more time", "other flats", "sleep on it", "maybe", "later", "not interested", "not for me" ], "reply": "@no-problem" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "I'm really interested. Do I get the deposit back at the end => back", "yes I'm interested => interested", "I'd like to think about it => think", "how much is that in total => money", "not for me thanks => think" ], "partly": [ "the bedroom is nice" ], "off": [ "I bought new shoes yesterday" ] } } ], "close": "I'll email you the details.", "watch": [ { "re": "\\b(is|it's|are|looks?) (very |too |a bit |so |really |quite )?little\\b(?! (?:bit|more|less|time|space|light|money|noisy|dark|cold|old))", "better": "$1 $2small", "note": "For rooms, “small” is the usual word.", "tests": { "yes": [ "the kitchen is very little", "the bedroom looks little" ], "no": [ "the kitchen is quite small", "there is very little space", "it's a little cold" ] } }, { "re": "\\bhow many (is|are|does|do|cost)( the)? (deposit|rent|bills?|it|that)\\b", "better": "how much $1$2 $3", "note": "Money is “how much”, not “how many”.", "tests": { "yes": [ "how many is the deposit", "how many are the bills" ], "no": [ "how much is the deposit", "how many bedrooms are there" ] } }, { "re": "\\bsay you (tomorrow|later|soon|tonight|next week|on \\w+)\\b", "better": "let you know $1", "note": "“Let you know” is the natural phrase.", "tests": { "yes": [ "I want to think and say you tomorrow" ], "no": [ "I'll let you know tomorrow" ] } }, { "re": "\\breturn you\\b", "better": "get back to you", "note": "When you answer later, say “I’ll get back to you”.", "tests": { "yes": [ "I will return you tomorrow" ], "no": [ "I'll get back to you tomorrow" ] } } ] }, "B2": { "goal": "Ask sharper questions and try to change the terms.", "phrases": [ { "text": "Would the landlord consider…?", "re": "\\bwould (the landlord|he|she|they) (consider|accept|agree)\\b" }, { "text": "Has it been properly fixed?", "re": "\\bproperly\\b" }, { "text": "I'd be willing to…", "re": "\\b(i'd|i would|i'm|i am) (be )?willing to\\b" }, { "text": "Could I get that in writing?", "re": "\\bin writing\\b" }, { "text": "Is there any flexibility on the rent?", "re": "\\bflexib(le|ility)\\b" } ], "words": [ { "w": "references", "m": "letters from people who say you pay and behave well" }, { "w": "a guarantor", "m": "someone who pays the rent if you can’t" }, { "w": "up front", "m": "paid at the start, not later" } ], "steps": [ { "id": "leak", "task": "Ask about the leak", "say": "That mark on the ceiling? There was a leak, but it's fixed.", "hint": "Ask who fixed it, maybe?", "model": "Has it been properly fixed? Could I see the invoice?", "options": [ { "id": "fixed", "any": [ "properly", "fixed", "repaired", "sorted", "who fixed", "plumber", "when was", "how long ago", "cause", "caused", "roof", "upstairs", "come back", "again", "guarantee*", "paperwork", "invoice", "report", "proof", "writing", "evidence", "check*", "damp", "mould", "mold" ], "reply": "Yes, in March. I have the invoice." }, { "id": "paint", "any": [ "paint*", "repaint*", "decorat*", "paint over", "cover it" ], "reply": "@of-course" }, { "id": "fine", "any": [ "fine", "okay", "good to know", "no problem", "doesn't matter", "don't mind", "thanks for telling", "thanks for letting", "i see", "right" ] } ], "tests": { "on": [ "has it been properly fixed could I see the invoice => fixed", "will the landlord repaint it => paint", "okay good to know => fine", "what caused the leak => fixed" ], "partly": [ "how much is the rent" ], "off": [ "my brother plays the piano" ] } }, { "id": "rent", "task": "Try to lower the rent", "say": "The rent's fourteen hundred, fixed for a year.", "hint": "Fine, or would you ask for less?", "model": "Would the landlord consider thirteen hundred?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "lower", "any": [ "consider", "lower", "less", "reduce*", "discount", "negotiable", "negotiate", "flexible", "flexibility", "cheaper", "come down", "any room", "offer", "thirteen", "/\\b1[0-3]\\d\\d\\b/", "too high", "a bit high", "steep", "too much", "expensive" ], "reply": "He might, if you sign for longer." }, { "id": "after", "any": [ "after a year", "after the first year", "after that", "second year", "go up", "increase*", "rise", "next year" ], "reply": "It may go up a little." }, { "id": "fine", "any": [ "fine", "fair", "reasonable", "okay", "good", "works for me", "that's fine", "can afford", "no problem", "affordable", "happy with" ], "reply": "@good" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "would the landlord consider thirteen hundred => lower", "is the rent negotiable => lower", "that's fine => fine", "what happens after the first year => after", "would he consider 1300 => lower" ], "partly": [ "is the leak fixed" ], "off": [ "I'd like to learn Spanish" ] } }, { "id": "contract", "task": "Negotiate the contract", "say": "He wants twelve months. Does that work?", "hint": "A year, or something shorter?", "model": "I'd be willing to pay three months up front for a six-month contract.", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "offer", "any": [ "up front", "upfront", "in advance", "advance", "extra", "pay more", "more rent", "higher rent", "bigger deposit", "larger deposit", "willing", "i could pay", "i can pay", "guarantor", "references" ], "reply": "@sounds-good" }, { "id": "shorter", "any": [ "six months", "6 months", "six month", "shorter", "less than", "break clause", "nine months", "9 months", "short", "too long", "doesn't work", "can't commit", "not sure i can" ], "none": [ "up front", "upfront", "in advance", "advance", "extra", "pay more", "more rent", "higher rent", "bigger deposit", "larger deposit", "willing", "i could pay", "i can pay", "guarantor", "references" ], "reply": "Shorter? Only if you offer something.", "next": "offer" }, { "id": "year", "any": [ "twelve", "12", "year", "fine", "works for me", "that works", "no problem", "perfect", "suits", "longer", "two years", "2 years", "eighteen", "okay", "happy" ], "reply": "@great" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "I'd be willing to pay three months up front for a six-month contract => offer", "would he consider six months => shorter", "twelve months is fine => year", "a year is too long for me => shorter", "that doesn't work for me => shorter", "a year is too long I'd be willing to pay a bigger deposit for six months => offer" ], "partly": [ "the rent is a bit high" ], "off": [ "my parents live in the countryside" ] } }, { "id": "offer", "jump": true, "task": "Make an offer", "hint": "Rent up front, or a bigger deposit?", "model": "I could pay three months up front.", "options": [ { "id": "offer", "any": [ "up front", "upfront", "in advance", "advance", "extra", "pay more", "more rent", "higher rent", "bigger deposit", "larger deposit", "willing", "i could pay", "i can pay", "guarantor", "references" ], "reply": "With that, I think he'd say yes." }, { "id": "no", "any": [ "twelve", "12", "year", "fine", "okay", "can't", "cannot", "not possible", "too much", "no", "sign for a year", "i'll sign", "forget it", "never mind" ], "reply": "@fair-enough" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "I could pay three months up front => offer", "a bigger deposit maybe => offer", "I can't pay more => no", "okay twelve months then => no" ], "partly": [ "the rent" ], "off": [ "I like walking my dog" ] } }, { "id": "references", "task": "Talk about references", "say": "Can you provide references?", "hint": "From work, or a landlord?", "model": "Yes, from my employer and my last landlord. Could I get that in writing?", "ahead": false, "options": [ { "id": "yes", "any": [ "yes", "sure", "employer", "landlord", "boss", "manager", "work*", "job", "previous", "reference*", "payslip*", "bank", "letter", "of course", "no problem", "company" ], "reply": "@perfect" }, { "id": "no", "any": [ "first time", "student", "abroad", "new to", "just moved", "haven't got", "don't have", "no references", "guarantor", "no" ], "reply": "A guarantor works too." }, { "id": "writing", "any": [ "in writing", "writing", "email", "contract", "written", "paperwork", "copy" ], "reply": "@of-course" } ], "tests": { "on": [ "yes from my employer and my last landlord => yes", "I don't have any I'm new to the country => no", "could I get that in writing => writing", "I'm a student so I have a guarantor => no" ], "partly": [ "the rent is fixed" ], "off": [ "we watched a film at the cinema" ] } } ], "close": "If you're keen, make an offer today.", "watch": [ { "re": "\\b(?:make|do) (?:me |us )?(?:a |some )?discount\\b", "better": "lower the rent", "note": "For rent, say “lower the rent”. Discounts are for shops.", "tests": { "yes": [ "can you make discount", "could you make me a discount" ], "no": [ "would the landlord lower the rent" ] } }, { "re": "\\ba leaking\\b", "better": "a leak", "note": "The noun is “a leak”.", "tests": { "yes": [ "the ceiling had a leaking" ], "no": [ "was there a leak", "is it still leaking" ] } }, { "re": "\\b(?:give|provide|bring|show) (?:you )?(?:some |a )?guarantees?\\b", "better": "provide references", "note": "In renting, “references” is the word.", "tests": { "yes": [ "I can give guarantees", "I can give you a guarantee" ], "no": [ "I can provide references", "I have a guarantor" ] } }, { "re": "\\bwilling (?:for|of) (pay|sign|stay|give|offer|move|wait)\\w*", "better": "willing to $1", "note": "After “willing”, use “to”: willing to pay.", "tests": { "yes": [ "I'd be willing for pay more", "I'm willing for signing a longer contract" ], "no": [ "I'd be willing to pay more" ] } } ] } } }