How much living space do we really need?
A Could you live in a home that is only 37 square metres in size? That is the size of a so-called ‘tiny home’, which has become a big craze in some parts of the world, giving rise to a new social trend: the ‘tiny house movement’. These compact properties have become more popular as people recognize the benefits of ‘living small’. For some, it’s the only way to afford a home, but for others it’s a lifestyle choice, offering a way of living more ecologically and less wastefully. Living in a small space means that you have to get rid of your excess possessions. It also forces you to go out and engage with the rest of the world.
B Living small requires careful planning and who better to turn to for inspiration than the Japanese, the masters in the art of saving space. In densely populated cities like Tokyo, many people live in apartments smaller than ten square metres. They have managed to come up with ingenious space-saving solutions to make the apartments feel less cramped, such as the use of deep wardrobes and cupboards for storage. In this way, bedding can be folded and put away every day, allowing the room to be used for purposes other than sleeping. Another method is the use of sliding doors which can divide the room into different living areas when required.
C Living in a compact home might work for one, or even two people, but what about when you are obliged to compete for space with several others? This is a question being investigated by a NASA funded Mars simulation experiment. A ‘habitat’ has been located on the slopes of a volcano in the Pacic Ocean, and its goal is to understand how people can successfully live and work together on trips into space. Six crew members share a space which is 11 metres in diameter, i.e. the size of a medium-sized, one-bedroom apartment. They each have their own personal space, big enough for a tiny bed and chair.
They are not permitted to leave the capsule unless they are wearing a spacesuit. There have been five ‘missions’ so far, lasting between six and 12 months. The experiment shows that although some privacy is essential, people in confined spaces get on better when they spend more time together rather than retreating to their own private or personal space.
D Professor Ellen Pader from the University of Massachusetts, who has published research on the impact of space on relationships, believes a major benefit of sharing space with others is that you learn respect for other people, and you also learn to negotiate with people, instead of just withdrawing when things get difficult. In many western countries, there is an assumption that we all need privacy, but this is not a universally shared belief. In Mexico, for example, according to Pader’s research, people often prefer to share bedrooms and bathrooms because being alone feels like a punishment.
E So why is living space important? We need to get the right balance between having enough of it to allow some privacy, but not so much that we no longer interact with others
1. What is a "tiny home"?
A) A home that is 37 square metres or smaller
B) A home for people who live alone
C) A type of house designed by NASA for space missions
D) A type of eco-friendly building in large cities
2. What is one reason why tiny homes have become more popular?
A) They are more expensive than regular homes
B) They provide more privacy than large homes
C) They help people live more ecologically and waste less
D) They are built in less populated areas
3. What is a common feature of Japanese apartments that helps save space?
A) The use of sliding doors and deep wardrobes for storage
B) Large, open-plan living rooms
C) Expensive, designer furniture
D) Spacious bathrooms
4. What is the primary focus of the NASA-funded Mars simulation experiment?
A) To test space travel technology
B) To understand how people can successfully live and work together in confined spaces
C) To study the impact of long-term space travel on physical health
D) To test new ways of saving space in homes
5. How does the NASA experiment's habitat compare to the size of a typical home?
A) It is the size of a large mansion
B) It is the size of a medium-sized, one-bedroom apartment
C) It is much smaller than a typical home
D) It is the size of a small office
6. What does Professor Ellen Pader suggest is a major benefit of sharing living space with others?
A) People learn to live independently
B) People learn to respect and negotiate with others
C) People become less sociable
D) People find more personal space
7. According to Pader's research, how do people in Mexico view privacy compared to people in western countries?
A) They prefer more personal space than people in western countries
B) They believe privacy is essential for relationships
C) They prefer to share bedrooms and bathrooms, as being alone feels like a punishment
D) They do not believe in sharing living space
8. What is the key message about the importance of living space?
A) Privacy is not important in any culture
B) There should be a balance between having enough privacy and interacting with
C) Living space should always be as large as possible .
D) Small spaces make it difficult to live with others .
9. What is one of the challenges people face when living in a tiny home?
A) There is too much space for personal items
B) They have to downsize their possessions
C) They don't have to share their space with anyone
D) They have too much privacy
10. What method do people in Tokyo often use to save space in their apartments?
A) Installing extra large furniture
B) Using deep wardrobes and cupboards for storage
C) Expanding the size of the apartments
D) Sharing space with neighbors
11. What is the purpose of the sliding doors in Japanese apartments?
A) To make the apartment look larger
B) To divide the room into different living areas when needed
C) To provide extra storage space
D) To allow more light into the apartment
12. How long have the NASA Mars simulation experiments lasted?
A) 1 to 2 weeks
B) 3 to 5 months
C) Between six and twelve months
D) Over two years
13. What is the size of the habitat in the NASA Mars simulation experiment?
A) 5 metres in diameter
B) 15 metres in diameter
C) 11 metres in diameter
D) 20 metres in diameter
14. What does the research suggest about people living in confined spaces?
A) They always need privacy to maintain good relationships
B) Spending more time together can improve relationships in small spaces
C) People in confined spaces tend to argue more often
D) They prefer to live alone rather than with others
15. What is one characteristic of privacy in western countries, according to the text?
A) It is not considered important in any culture
B) People in western countries believe everyone needs privacy
C) People in western countries often share their bedrooms and bathrooms
D) People in western countries prefer not to interact with others at all
16. What aspect of living in a tiny home could be seen as a benefit for some people?
A) The ability to afford a larger home.
B) The opportunity to live a more socially isolated lifestyle
C) The chance to live more simply and reduce waste
D) The ability to store more belongings
17. How does living in a compact space affect one's relationship with others?
A) It makes people more competitive
B) It encourages people to withdraw from social interactions
C) It teaches people to communicate and respect each other more
D) It forces people to fight for privacy
18. According to the text, what is an essential aspect of sharing living space with others in small environments?
A) The need for everyone to have a personal room
B) The ability to negotiate and respect one another's needs
C) The importance of privacy at all times
D) The necessity of having separate bathrooms for each person
Answers
1-A 2-C 3-A 4-B 5-B 6-B 7-C 8-B 9-B
10-B 11-B 12-C 13-C 14-B 15-B 16-C 17-C 18-B
