1 . There are many different types of houses in the UK. You may see detached, semi-detached, terraced houses or even end-of-terrace houses on a typical street. You might see apartments in wealthier parts of town, or people living in bungalows, preferring to live a life without stairs. Strange cottages may dot the countryside, while heading to the cities you could see any number of types of flats, including houses turned into flats, studios and duplexes. But one thing you will notice is that many houses come from different eras, and asking a British person about their ideal home, many of them will have a specific period property in mind.

For some, it could be Victorian houses, which are often seen with bay windows, high ceilings, stained glass doors and colored brickwork. During the Victorian era, a huge number of houses, particularly terraced, were built in towns and cities to accommodate vast numbers of workers who were moving from more rural areas.

Georgian architecture refers to houses built during the period of 1714 and 1830 during the rules of four British monarchs. Usually houses with this architectural style have a more symmetrical theme, both internally and externally, with a small square garden in front. For those not into older properties, new builds from the 1990s onwards offer better insulation against the cold and newer electrics. And those who prefer less repairs could always go with the open-plan or minimalist look of the modern era.

So, whether it’s high ceilings, better insulation, brickwork, bungalows or square gardens, people in Britain have a wide variety of preferences when it comes to where they live. And their ideal home may just simply be a case of what style feels like home.

1. What do the Victorian houses have?

A．A small square garden in front.	B．High ceilings and colored brickwork.
C．A more symmetrical theme than any other era.	D．Broken windows and stainless doors.

2. Why does the author mention Victorian and Georgian houses?

A．To display the wisdom of the architects.	B．To introduce the origin of them.
C．To attract people fond of British houses.	D．To show the diversity of British houses.

3. What can we learn from the text?

A．The preference of British for the houses.	B．The history of the Georgian houses.
C．The house structures of Britain.	D．The fine scenery in Britain.

4. What will the author probably talk about next?

A．Ideal British home.	B．Terraced houses.
C．Georgian houses.	D．Square and gardens.