Saving for a Starter Home Now Takes Twice as Long

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What percentage down payment does the calculation use?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. 2.5%
   2. 3.5%
   3. 5.3%
   4. 6.5%
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   3.5%

   The recording states the exact percentage used in the calculation.

   The calculation uses a 3.5% down payment, the amount required by the Federal Housing Administration for first-time buyers.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which costs are described as extra fees paid when a loan is completed?

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   1. Food costs
   2. Insurance costs
   3. Closing costs
   4. Moving costs
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Closing costs

   The narration defines closing costs as fees paid when the loan finishes.

   Closing costs are the extra fees paid when a home loan is completed.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which workers are included among the groups discussed?

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   1. Lawyers and accountants
   2. Nurses and teachers
   3. Designers and artists
   4. Farmers and pilots
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Nurses and teachers

   The recording gives several examples of front-line workers.

   Front-line workers, including nurses, teachers, firefighters and emergency medical workers, may need 10 to 13 years.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What happened to personal savings rates?

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   1. They rose sharply.
   2. They stayed unchanged.
   3. They fell.
   4. They doubled.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They fell.

   The recording says savings rates fell while other costs increased.

   At the same time, renters’ incomes have not kept pace, and personal savings rates have fallen.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What broader effect can the long timeline have?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It can change what buying a first home means.
   2. It can eliminate all home loan fees.
   3. It can make children grow up faster.
   4. It can reduce the price of everyday needs.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It can change what buying a first home means.

   The report connects the long wait with family life and the meaning of home buying.

   The report says this long timeline can change the meaning of buying a first home, especially for families saving while their children grow up.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.