Learning English Podcast - December 13, 2024
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
Why are property prices in Kabul, Afghanistan, increasing?
Wealthy Afghans with businesses abroad are returning due to improved security and stability, driving up demand for high-end housing. Many buyers are also influenced by their experiences living overseas, seeking modern amenities like central heating and elevators.
How much has house prices in Kabul increased in the last three years?
House prices have risen by almost 40% in the last three years.
What are some features wealthy buyers in Kabul look for in a house?
They prefer houses with gardens, gyms, swimming pools, rooms for visitors, at least one kitchen, central heating, double-pane windows, and elevators.
How does the phonetic alphabet help with English pronunciation?
The phonetic alphabet uses special symbols to represent each sound (phoneme) in English, helping learners identify and practice difficult sounds. For example, the word 'cat' has three phonemes represented by IPA symbols.
What are the six future tenses in English?
The six future tenses are: simple future (will), 'be going to' future, present progressive for future events, simple present for scheduled events, future progressive (will be + ing), and future perfect (will have + past participle).
What is the story 'Chicken Little' about?
It's a children's story about a chicken who mistakenly believes the sky is falling after a flower petal lands on her tail. She convinces other birds of the false alarm, leading them into the clutches of a fox.
What is the population of Kabul now compared to the year 2000?
Kabul's population has grown from around 500,000 in 2000 to more than 5 million now.
How do Afghans typically finance property purchases?
Most Afghans buy properties with their own money or use a system called 'ijara,' where someone provides a fixed amount to a property owner in return for living in the place until the money is returned.
- High-end housing market boom in Kabul despite humanitarian crisis
- Increased property prices driven by improved security and return of Afghan expats
- Wealthy buyers seeking houses with modern amenities and large spaces
- City officials working on improving infrastructure and planning for more affordable housing
Shownotes Transcript