My Roommate Brought Too Many People

Level 2 Social

Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

A man stands in his doorway, looking into a crowded living room where strangers are partying under bright lights with cups and bottles on the table.
More people than expected.

I live in a shared house with three roommates, and we usually text each other before guests come. Last night, my roommate Charles said a few friends were coming, so I said okay. But when I came home, the house was full of strangers, and I felt angry right away.

Inside, loud music was playing, and people were drinking in the kitchen. Some people were even sitting on my bed. I asked Charles what was happening. He said the hangout got bigger, and it was going to end soon.

I told the people in my room to leave, then I locked my door. About an hour later, someone knocked and asked to use my bathroom. I said no, because we already have a shared bathroom. Then Charles knocked and said I was making things strange for his guests.

This morning, he said I should say sorry for ruining the party mood. One roommate agrees with him, but another says it was not okay. I think my room is my own space. Was I wrong to lock my own door?

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Comment Tone Check

Comment Tone Check

Speaker: American Male  Duration: 1:26  Watch on YouTube

Two ways to use this audio:

  • Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
  • Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.

Listen and Fill Gaps

I live in a shared house with three roommates, and we usually text each other before guests come. Last night, my roommate Charles said a few friends were coming, so I said okay. But when I came home, the house was full of (1) , and I felt angry right away.

Inside, loud music was playing, and people were drinking in the kitchen. Some people were even sitting on my (2) . I asked Charles what was happening. He said the hangout got bigger, and it was going to end soon.

I told the people in my room to leave, then I (3) my door. About an hour later, someone knocked and asked to use my bathroom. I said no, because we already have a (4) bathroom. Then Charles knocked and said I was making things strange for his guests.

This morning, he said I should say sorry for ruining the party mood. One roommate agrees with him, but another says it was not okay. I think my room is my own (5) . Was I wrong to lock my own door?

True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • Charles told the poster that only a few friends were coming.
    The story says Charles said a few friends were coming.
  • The poster let strangers stay on his bed all night.
    The poster told people in his room to leave and then locked the door.
  • One roommate agrees with Charles.
    The story says one roommate agrees with him.

True or False

1. Charles told the poster that only a few friends were coming. TRUEFALSE True

2. The poster let strangers stay on his bed all night. TRUEFALSE False

3. One roommate agrees with Charles. TRUEFALSE True

Put Events in Order

  • The poster told people to leave his room and locked the door.
  • Charles told the poster that a few friends were coming.
  • The next morning, the roommates disagreed about whether what Charles did was okay.
  • The poster came home and saw strangers in the house and on his bed.
  1. Charles told the poster that a few friends were coming.
  2. The poster came home and saw strangers in the house and on his bed.
  3. The poster told people to leave his room and locked the door.
  4. The next morning, the roommates disagreed about whether what Charles did was okay.

Multiple Choice

1. Where were some people sitting?

   a) In the shared bathroom

   b) In the kitchen

   c) On the poster's bedCorrect

   d) At his locked door

2. What did someone ask about an hour later?

   a) To leave his room

   b) To use the poster's bathroomCorrect

   c) To end the hangout soon

   d) To lock his door

3. What does the poster say about his room?

   a) It is for Charles's guests.

   b) It is a shared bathroom.

   c) It is strange for guests.

   d) It is his own space.Correct

Vocab Match

Loading vocabulary activity...

Vocab Match

1. Sharede) Used by more than one person.

2. Strangersd) People you do not know.

3. Spacec) An area that belongs to someone.

4. Lockb) To close with a key so people cannot enter.

5. Guestsa) People who visit someone else's home.

a) People who visit someone else's home.

b) To close with a key so people cannot enter.

c) An area that belongs to someone.

d) People you do not know.

e) Used by more than one person.

Discussion Builder

Discussion Builder

  1. Also, / But, / So,

    Charles said only a few friends were coming, but the house became full of strangers. So, the poster felt angry.

  2. and / because / but

    Someone asked to use his bathroom. He said no because they already had a shared bathroom.

  3. I think, / But, / Like,

    He found strangers in his room. I think, people should not go into another person's bedroom.

Discussion Questions

  1. Should the poster say sorry to Charles? Why or why not?
  2. Did the poster do the right thing by locking his door? Why or why not?
  3. What should Charles do after this problem?
  4. How do you feel when strangers come to your home?
  5. Have you ever lived with roommates? What was it like?
  6. What guest rules are important in a shared house?
  7. Is it better to live alone or with other people?
  8. Do you like loud music? Why or why not?