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Trouble Finding Suitable Accommodation

Rachel has received confirmation that she will be spending a year abroad at a university in

France. She doesn’t have much time to find accommodation, so she calls the student support

office at the university in France to see if they can help…


Rachel: Hi! My name is Rachel Adams and I’m studying at the University of Manchester in

England. As part of the Erasmus scheme, I’m planning to study at your university for one

year starting in September. I urgently need to find accommodation. Can you help?


Student Advisor: Yes, of course… although, the student accommodation on site is almost

fully booked for next year. I’ll run through several options… The first option we have is a

room without an en-suite in our student residence. The second option is to contact private

student lettings companies and see if they have any rooms available. The third option is to

come out here and have a look around for yourself.


Rachel: Mm… I would really prefer a room with an en suite… and I don’t really have time

travel to France before September… Do you have any numbers for private student letting

companies?


Student Advisor: I do, but they do tend to more expensive than the rooms in our student

residence on campus…


Rachel: How much more expensive?


Student Advisor: Well, a room without an en-suite on campus costs 200 euros per month. A

typical apartment or room in a shared house costs on average, 500 euros per month. And you

will have travel costs to consider too, for travel to and from university…


Rachel: Really? That’s a huge difference! I’ll have to weigh up my options… Can you give

me some numbers anyway?


Student Advisor: Yes, I’ll forward them to you in an email. Good luck! And if you have any

more questions, don’t hesitate to call again… We look forward to welcoming you here in

September!

Cups of Coffee
Trouble Finding Suitable Accommodation

PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verb
Meaning
Example sentence
Categories
To run up against

To experience something difficult and unexpected.

The politicians ran up against strong opposition from the people.

Problem
To wrestle with

To try very hard to deal with a problem or a difficult situation.

I wrestled with the decision for a few months before deciding to quit.

Problem
To think through

To carefully consider the possible results of doing something.

I need some time think this through before making a decision.

Problem
To knuckle down

To start working or studying harder.

He’s going to have to knuckle down if he wants to pass the course.

Problem
To talk over

To discuss a

problem or situation

with someone.

We talked over the

issues in the

meeting before

making a decision.

Problem
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