Turning Down the Heater

This lesson explores a conversation between a mom and her husband about the high electricity bill due to the heater being on too much. It includes a bit of humor and practical advice on managing household expenses while keeping the home warm and comfortable.

Mom: (walking into the living room) Hey, love, the heater is on again. You know, the bill’s going to be sky-high this month if we keep this up.
Dad: (glancing up from the TV) Oh, I know, but it’s freezing outside! I just want to be warm.
Mom: (smiling) I get it, but we can’t just turn the heater on every time we feel a little cold. We’ll have to eat beans for a week if the bill gets any higher!
Dad: (laughing) Beans for a week? Well, I can’t say no to that. I love beans!
Mom: (teasing) I knew you’d say that. But seriously, we need to be a bit more careful. We can put on some extra layers and turn the heater down a little.
Dad: (nodding) Alright, alright. I guess we don’t need to keep it like a sauna in here.
Mom: (grinning) Exactly! It’s okay to be cozy, but let’s save the heater for the really cold days.
Dad: (pretending to shiver) Okay, I’ll go put on my sweater. No more heating the house like a furnace!
Mom: (laughing) That’s the spirit! Let’s try to keep the house warm without burning a hole in our wallet.

Vocabulary List

  • Heater [ˈhiːtə] (noun) – A device used to heat the air in a room or building.
    Example: “I turned on the heater because it’s so cold.”
  • Bill [bɪl] (noun) – A statement of money owed for goods or services.
    Example: “The electricity bill is too high this month.”
  • Sky-high [ˈskaɪ haɪ] (adjective) – Extremely high or expensive.
    Example: “The prices were sky-high at the new store.”
  • Freezing [ˈfriːzɪŋ] (adjective) – Very cold.
    Example: “It’s freezing outside! I can’t feel my fingers.”
  • Layers [ˈleɪəz] (noun) – Different levels or pieces of clothing worn one on top of another.
    Example: “I’m wearing three layers today because it’s so cold.”
  • Cozy [ˈʊzi] (adjective) – Comfortable and warm.
    Example: “I love being cozy under a blanket.”
  • Sauna [ˈsɔːnə] (noun) – A small room used as a hot-air or steam bath, typically to relax or sweat.
    Example: “After a long workout, I love to relax in the sauna.”

Grammar Tips:

  1. Using “Need to” for Necessity:
    • “Need to” expresses something that must be done or is required.
    • Example: “We need to be a bit more careful.”
    • This shows that it’s important to take action in the situation.
  1. Using “Can” to Suggest Possibilities:
    • “Can” is used to express the ability to do something or a suggestion.
    • Example: “We can put on some extra layers.”
    • This suggests that putting on layers is an option to stay warm without using the heater.
  1. Using “Let’s” for Suggestions:
    • “Let’s” is used to make a suggestion or proposal.
    • Example: “Let’s save the heater for the really cold days.”
    • This invites the other person to agree or participate in the suggestion.

FILL IN THE BLANK

Story with Missing Words

Mom: (walking into the living room) Hey, love, the is on again. You know, the bill’s going to be sky-high this month if we keep this up.
Dad: (glancing up from the TV) Oh, I know, but it’s outside! I just want to be warm.
Mom: (smiling) I get it, but we can’t just turn the heater on every time we feel a little . We’ll have to eat beans for a week if the bill gets any higher!
Dad: (laughing) Beans for a week? Well, I can’t say no to that. I love !
Mom: (teasing) I knew you’d say that. But seriously, we need to be a bit more . We can put on some extra layers and turn the heater down a little.
Dad: (nodding) Alright, alright. I guess we don’t need to keep it like a in here.
Mom: (grinning) Exactly! It’s okay to be cozy, but let’s save the heater for the really days.
Dad: (pretending to shiver) Okay, I’ll go put on my . No more heating the house like a furnace!
Mom: (laughing) That’s the spirit! Let’s try to keep the house warm without burning a hole in our .

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