Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Housing Issues And Requests
10 questions · exam conditions
0:00
Housing Issues And RequestsQuestion 1 of 10

A tenant named Omar sends this note to his landlord: "Hello Mr. Park. I am writing about the broken lock on the front door of our building. Anyone can walk in because the lock does not work. I am worried about safety. Could you please have someone fix it this week? Thank you, Omar, Apt. 7."

Which statement BEST describes what makes Omar's note effective?

It describes every safety problem in the building and asks the landlord to fix all of them at the same time to save time and money.
It uses very formal legal language and references the exact section of the lease that requires the landlord to fix all locks within 24 hours.
It threatens the landlord with consequences if the repair is not made and demands written proof that the work will be completed on time.
It clearly identifies the problem, explains why it matters, includes a specific timeframe for repair, and ends politely with his contact information.
← Back to quizzes

Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz

Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner Quiz: Housing Issues And Requests

Practice Housing Issues And Requests in Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Housing Issues And Requests, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult ESL/ELL High Beginner.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A tenant named Omar sends this note to his landlord: "Hello Mr. Park. I am writing about the broken lock on the front door of our building. Anyone can walk in because the lock does not work. I am worried about safety. Could you please have someone fix it this week? Thank you, Omar, Apt. 7."

Which statement BEST describes what makes Omar's note effective?

  1. It describes every safety problem in the building and asks the landlord to fix all of them at the same time to save time and money.
  2. It uses very formal legal language and references the exact section of the lease that requires the landlord to fix all locks within 24 hours.
  3. It threatens the landlord with consequences if the repair is not made and demands written proof that the work will be completed on time.
  4. It clearly identifies the problem, explains why it matters, includes a specific timeframe for repair, and ends politely with his contact information. (correct answer)
Explanation: When you write a letter or note asking someone to take action, the most effective approach is clear, focused, and respectful communication. Ask yourself: Does the writer identify the problem? Explain why it matters? Request a specific action with a timeframe? Stay polite? Omar's note does all of these things. He names the exact problem (the broken front door lock), explains the consequence (anyone can walk in, creating a safety risk), asks for a repair within a specific timeframe ("this week"), and closes with "Thank you" along with his name and apartment number so the landlord knows who to contact. This makes D the best answer — the note works because it is clear, purposeful, and considerate. Choice A is wrong because Omar does not list every problem in the building. His note focuses on one issue. Sending a long list of complaints is also less effective, not more — it can overwhelm a reader and delay action. Choice B is wrong because Omar uses simple, everyday language — not legal terms or lease references. Effective communication does not require formal legal language, especially in a short note like this. Choice C is wrong because Omar does not threaten the landlord or demand written proof. His tone is polite and reasonable. Threats can damage the relationship between tenant and landlord and are not what makes this note work. A helpful tip: on questions about effective writing or communication, look for the answer that describes balance — clear, specific, and polite. Notes that are too aggressive or too vague are usually wrong answers.

Question 2

David receives his monthly water bill. It is usually about $40, but this month it says $130. He has not changed his water habits. He lives in an apartment building and pays his water bill through his landlord's office.

David wants to talk to someone at the landlord's office about his bill. What should he say FIRST when he arrives?

  1. "I need to speak with someone about my water bill. It is much higher than usual this month, and I would like to understand why before I pay it." (correct answer)
  2. "I am not going to pay this bill. It is wrong and someone in this office made a mistake. I want a new bill right now or I will contact the city."
  3. "Hello, I have a quick question. Do you think my water bill could be wrong? It seems a little high but maybe that is normal. I just wanted to check."
  4. "My bill is $130 and it is always $40. This is your fault and I want my money back for all the months I have been overcharged since I moved in here."
Explanation: When you visit a business office to resolve a problem, your opening statement sets the tone for the entire conversation. Think about what a good first statement needs to do: it should be polite, clearly identify your issue, and show that you are ready to work together toward a solution — not demand or accuse. Answer A does all of this well. It opens with a neutral, professional request ("I need to speak with someone"), briefly explains the problem (the bill is unusually high), and signals a cooperative attitude ("I would like to understand why before I pay it"). This approach invites the office staff to help you rather than putting them on the defensive. Answer B is too aggressive and threatening. Saying "someone in this office made a mistake" and threatening to contact the city before you even have a conversation is unlikely to get you good results. It sounds confrontational, not cooperative, and it assumes fault before you know the facts. Answer C is too weak and unclear. Phrases like "a quick question," "could be wrong," "a little high," and "maybe that is normal" suggest you are not sure there is even a real problem. If you minimize your concern this way, the office staff may not take the issue seriously. Answer D jumps to demanding a refund for all previous months without any investigation. It makes a large accusation ("this is your fault") and asks for something unreasonable before any facts have been discussed. Study tip: In workplace and everyday communication questions, look for answers that are confident but respectful — clear about the problem, open to solutions, and free from threats or excessive apologies.

Question 3

Lena has lived in her apartment for six months. She calls the maintenance office and says: "Hi, my name is Lena and I live in Apartment 3A. I am calling because my refrigerator stopped working yesterday. All my food is spoiling. I really need someone to come today if possible. My number is 555-0247."

After Lena hangs up, the maintenance worker writes a note about the call. Which note BEST captures the key information from Lena's message?

  1. "A woman called about her apartment. She said something is broken in the kitchen. She wants someone to come soon. She left a number."
  2. "Lena, Apt. 3A — refrigerator not working since yesterday, food is spoiling, requesting same-day visit. Callback: 555-0247." (correct answer)
  3. "Lena called. She has lived here six months and has never had a problem before. She is upset about her kitchen and wants help right away. Seems urgent."
  4. "Tenant in Apt. 3A called about a possible refrigerator issue. She is not sure when it stopped working. She said to come when we have time this week."
Explanation: When someone leaves a message about a problem, a good note captures the key facts: who called, where they live, what the problem is, how urgent it is, and how to reach them. Think of it like a checklist — a useful note should answer who, what, when, and how to respond. Answer B is the best note because it includes every critical detail from Lena's message: her name, her apartment number (3A), the specific problem (refrigerator not working), when it started (yesterday), why it's urgent (food is spoiling), what she's requesting (same-day visit), and her callback number (555-0247). Nothing important is missing, and nothing false is added. Answer A is too vague. It says "something is broken in the kitchen" instead of naming the refrigerator, and it doesn't include Lena's name, apartment number, or phone number — a maintenance worker couldn't act on this note. Answer C includes invented information. Lena never said she has "never had a problem before," and the note skips her apartment number and phone number entirely. A good note reports only what was actually said. Answer D contains two inaccuracies: Lena never said she was unsure when the problem started (she said yesterday), and she asked for help today, not "when we have time this week." This note could cause the worker to treat an urgent request as non-urgent. Study tip: When reading passages and answering note-taking questions, compare each answer choice directly against the original message — check for missing details, vague language, or anything that was added or changed.

Question 4

Keiko lives in an apartment. Her upstairs neighbor plays loud music every night after 11 p.m., and she cannot sleep. She has already knocked on the neighbor's door twice, but the problem continues. Her lease says that quiet hours begin at 10 p.m.

Keiko decides to contact her landlord about the neighbor. Which detail is MOST important for her to include in her message?

  1. The specific times the noise occurs and the fact that she has already spoken to the neighbor twice without success (correct answer)
  2. Her personal opinion that the neighbor is a rude person who does not care about other people in the building
  3. A request that the landlord immediately remove the neighbor from the building for breaking the lease rules
  4. The full history of every small problem she has had with any neighbor since she moved into the apartment
Explanation: When you need to write a message to solve a real problem, the most important details are facts that are relevant, specific, and actionable — information the other person actually needs to help you. Keep that principle in mind here. Keiko's landlord needs to understand the problem clearly enough to take action. The strongest message includes the specific times the noise happens (after 11 p.m., which violates the lease's 10 p.m. quiet hours rule) and the fact that Keiko has already tried to resolve it herself — twice — without success. This tells the landlord: there is a clear rule being broken, it is happening repeatedly at documented times, and informal solutions have failed. That combination of facts gives the landlord both the reason and the justification to step in. Answer A is correct. Answer B is a trap. Calling the neighbor "rude" or saying they "don't care" is personal opinion, not fact. Landlords respond to evidence, not feelings — including opinions can actually make you seem less credible. Answer C sounds urgent, but demanding that the landlord immediately remove the neighbor goes too far. That is an extreme consequence, and it is not Keiko's decision to make. Asking for it may put the landlord on the defensive instead of encouraging cooperation. Answer D might feel thorough, but including every past problem with every neighbor adds unnecessary information that distracts from the current issue. A focused message is always more effective than an overwhelming one. Study tip: When a question asks what information to include in a message or report, ask yourself: Is this a fact? Is it relevant to this specific problem? Does it help the reader take action? If yes to all three, include it.

Question 5

Tenant: "Excuse me, I need to talk to someone about my electricity bill." Office Staff: "Sure, what is the problem?" Tenant: "My bill this month is $210. Last month it was $85. I did not use more electricity than usual." Office Staff: "Okay, do you have your account number and both bills with you?"

The office staff member asks for the account number and both bills. Why is this request most likely necessary?

  1. The staff member is required by law to collect all billing documents from tenants before any conversation about money can continue in the office.
  2. The staff member wants to make sure the tenant is telling the truth before agreeing to help, since many tenants lie about their bills to avoid paying.
  3. The staff member needs the account number to find the tenant's records and both bills to compare the charges and look for an error or unusual usage. (correct answer)
  4. The staff member plans to charge the tenant a fee for the investigation and needs the account number to process the payment right away.
Explanation: When reading a workplace conversation like this one, ask yourself: What would a reasonable person need in order to solve this problem? The tenant has a billing issue — a sudden, unexplained jump from $85 to $210. Think about what steps a staff member would logically take to investigate. To look into a billing problem, the staff member needs two things: a way to find the tenant's account in the system, and the actual documents that show what changed. The account number pulls up the tenant's records, and having both bills side by side allows the staff member to compare the charges line by line and spot any errors or unusual usage. This is simply how billing investigations work in professional settings, making C the correct answer. A is incorrect because no such law requiring tenants to hand over all documents before a conversation is mentioned or implied — and in real life, no such rule exists in this context. This answer sounds official but has no basis in the passage or in common sense. B is incorrect because it assumes the worst about the tenant without any evidence. Nothing in the conversation suggests the staff member is suspicious or doubting the tenant's honesty. D is incorrect because charging a fee for investigating a billing error is not standard practice and is not suggested anywhere in the passage. The staff member is simply gathering information, not processing a payment. A useful strategy: when a question asks why someone makes a request, look for the most practical and logical reason — the one a reasonable professional would have. Avoid answers that add drama, suspicion, or unusual rules not supported by the text.

Question 6

A landlord says to a tenant: "I received your message about the broken window in your bedroom. I will send someone to look at it, but it might take two or three weeks because we are very busy right now."

The tenant wants to respond in a way that is polite but also communicates that two or three weeks is too long to wait. Which response is BEST?

  1. "Two or three weeks is completely unacceptable. I will not pay next month's rent unless this is fixed by tomorrow morning, and I know my rights as a tenant in this city."
  2. "I understand you are busy, but a broken bedroom window is a safety and weather issue. Is there any way to schedule the repair sooner, perhaps within this week?" (correct answer)
  3. "Okay, that is fine. Two or three weeks is no problem at all — I can wait. Thank you for letting me know, and I will expect someone to come by then."
  4. "I see. Well, maybe I will just fix it myself and take the full repair cost out of my rent, since you are clearly too busy to handle your responsibilities as a landlord."
Explanation: When you need to express disagreement or urgency in English — especially in a formal relationship like tenant and landlord — the challenge is balancing honesty with politeness. The best responses acknowledge the other person's situation while still clearly stating your own need. This is called being assertive (direct but respectful), which is different from being aggressive (rude or threatening) or passive (too agreeable). Answer B does this perfectly. It opens with "I understand you are busy," which shows respect for the landlord's situation. Then it explains why the wait is a problem — safety and weather — which gives a logical reason, not just a complaint. Finally, it asks a polite question ("Is there any way to schedule the repair sooner?") that invites a solution without making demands. This is assertive, professional communication. Answer A is too aggressive. Threatening to withhold rent and referencing legal rights may feel powerful, but this tone is confrontational and could damage the relationship or even create legal problems. It does not match a polite tone. Answer C is too passive — it says "no problem at all," which completely fails the goal. The question asks for a response that communicates the wait is too long, and C does the opposite. Answer D sounds sarcastic and threatening. Saying the landlord is "clearly too busy to handle responsibilities" is insulting, and threatening to deduct repair costs unilaterally could actually be illegal in many places. Study tip: When a question asks for "polite but firm" communication, look for the answer that acknowledges the other person first, then states the problem with a reason, then suggests a solution as a question.

Question 7

Maria rents an apartment. Last week, she noticed water dripping from the ceiling in her bedroom. She called her landlord, but he did not call her back. Now the ceiling has a large wet spot and some paint is falling off. Maria wants to contact her landlord again.

Maria wants to write a message to her landlord about the problem. Which message is MOST appropriate for her to send?

  1. "Hi, I called you last week about a leak in my bedroom ceiling. The problem is getting worse — there is now a large wet spot and paint is falling. Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange a repair." (correct answer)
  2. "Hi, my ceiling looks a little strange. Maybe you should come and look at it sometime when you are free. No rush, but I wanted to let you know about it."
  3. "Hi, I am very angry that you did not call me back. You are a bad landlord and I will not pay rent until my ceiling is fixed. Call me today or I will move out immediately."
  4. "Hi, I think there might be a small problem in my apartment. I am not sure if it is serious, but if you have time this month, maybe someone could check it. Thank you for your time."
Explanation: When writing a message to a landlord about a repair problem, you need to think about two things: tone and urgency. A good message is polite and professional, but it also clearly describes the problem and asks for action. This is especially important when the problem is getting worse and someone has already been ignored. Answer A is the best choice. It does everything a strong message should do: it reminds the landlord of the earlier call, describes the current damage clearly (wet spot, falling paint), and politely but firmly asks for a response "as soon as possible." It sounds professional without being rude, and it makes the urgency clear without using threats. Answer B sounds too casual and unimportant. Phrases like "no rush" and "sometime when you are free" suggest the problem is minor, but it is not — water damage can become serious quickly. This message would not motivate the landlord to act. Answer D has a similar problem. Words like "I think," "maybe," and "if you have time this month" make the problem sound uncertain and unimportant. A good message needs to be confident and specific, not vague. Answer C goes too far in the opposite direction. Saying "you are a bad landlord" and threatening to stop paying rent or move out is aggressive and unprofessional. This kind of message could damage the relationship and even create legal problems. Study tip: On questions about written communication, look for the message that is clear, specific, and respectful — not too weak, and not too aggressive.

Question 8

A tenant wants to report that her bathroom sink is draining very slowly. She leaves a voicemail for her landlord. Which voicemail is MOST likely to get a quick and helpful response?

  1. "Hi, this is Rosa. I am not sure if this is a real problem or not, but my sink seems to drain kind of slow. You probably do not need to send anyone, but I just wanted to mention it in case it gets worse later."
  2. "Hi, it's Rosa. My sink is broken. Call me back when you can. My number is 555-0198. Thanks."
  3. "Hi, this is Rosa in Apartment 12. I have a problem with my sink, and also the faucet sometimes drips, and there is a small stain on the bathroom wall, and I think there might be a smell sometimes. Please call me back."
  4. "Hi, this is Rosa in Apartment 12. My bathroom sink drains very slowly — it takes about ten minutes for the water to go down. Please call me back at 555-0198 so we can schedule a repair. Thank you." (correct answer)
Explanation: When leaving a voicemail about a maintenance problem, your goal is to give the listener exactly what they need to take action — no more, no less. Ask yourself: Does this message clearly identify who is calling, where they live, what the specific problem is, and how to reach them? Answer D does all of this well. Rosa identifies herself and her apartment number, describes the problem specifically ("drains very slowly — takes about ten minutes"), provides a callback number, and politely requests a repair. This gives the landlord everything needed to respond quickly and send the right kind of help. Answer A fails because Rosa downplays the problem so much that the landlord may not feel any urgency — or may not act at all. Phrases like "not sure if this is a real problem" and "you probably do not need to send anyone" make the issue sound unimportant. Being too apologetic can actually slow down your request. Answer B is too vague. Saying "my sink is broken" does not explain the actual issue — a dripping faucet, a clog, and a broken handle are all very different repairs. A landlord or maintenance worker cannot prepare without knowing what the problem is. Also, Rosa does not mention her apartment number. Answer C includes too many problems at once without clear detail about any of them. This can feel overwhelming and may cause the landlord to delay or misunderstand what needs immediate attention. A strong maintenance voicemail is like a recipe: include your name, location, one clear problem, and your contact information — nothing missing, nothing extra.

Question 9

A tenant notices that the heater in her apartment stopped working in January. She calls the landlord's office and someone answers. Which sentence BEST begins her request for help?

  1. "Hi, this is Ana in Apartment 4B. I am calling because my heater is not working, and I need someone to repair it as soon as possible since it is very cold." (correct answer)
  2. "Hi, I have a problem. Something in my apartment is broken, I think. I am not sure what it is exactly, but maybe you could send someone to look around and check everything."
  3. "Hi, I was wondering if it might be possible for someone to maybe come by my apartment at some point to look at the heater, if it is not too much trouble for anyone."
  4. "Hi, my heater is broken and I am freezing. You need to fix this today. If no one comes by tonight, I will call the city housing office and report this building."
Explanation: When making a request to a landlord or any professional over the phone, your goal is to communicate clearly, completely, and professionally — especially in an urgent situation. Think about what information the listener needs immediately: who you are, what the problem is, and what you need them to do. Answer A does all of this perfectly. It identifies the caller by name and apartment number, states the specific problem (the heater is not working), makes a clear request (repair it as soon as possible), and gives a logical reason for the urgency (it is very cold). This is polite, direct, and professional — exactly the right tone for communicating with a landlord's office. Answer B fails because it is too vague. Saying "something is broken" and "I'm not sure what it is" gives the landlord almost no useful information. A repair team cannot prepare or respond efficiently without knowing what the problem is. This response wastes everyone's time. Answer C is overly hesitant and indirect. Phrases like "I was wondering," "maybe," and "if it is not too much trouble" make the request sound weak and unimportant. In January with no heat, this is a serious and urgent issue — your language should reflect that, while still remaining polite. Answer D is too aggressive. Threatening the landlord immediately ("I will call the city housing office") before giving them a chance to respond is confrontational and unprofessional. Even if you have rights as a tenant, starting with threats damages the relationship and is unlikely to get quick, cooperative help. Study tip: In professional communication questions, look for the answer that is both clear and polite — avoid responses that are too vague, too passive, or too aggressive.

Question 10

A tenant wants to ask his landlord for permission to have a small dog in his apartment. His lease says "no pets without written approval from the landlord." What should the tenant do FIRST?

  1. Ask neighbors if they have pets, and if they do, use that information to tell the landlord that a no-pet rule is unfair and should not apply to him.
  2. Get the dog immediately, since small dogs are usually allowed and the landlord will probably not notice or complain about a small animal.
  3. Write or speak to the landlord to formally request permission, explain that the dog is small, and ask about any conditions or fees that might apply. (correct answer)
  4. Move to a new apartment that already allows pets, since the current lease says no pets and it is impossible to change any rule in a signed lease.
Explanation: When you see a question about renting an apartment, think about what a responsible, respectful tenant would do — especially when a lease has a specific rule. A lease is a legal agreement, and breaking it can have serious consequences like fines or eviction. The smartest first step here is C: write or speak to the landlord to formally request permission, explain that the dog is small, and ask about any conditions or fees. This works because the lease doesn't say "absolutely no pets" — it says no pets without written approval. That means getting permission is possible! By communicating respectfully and professionally, the tenant follows the rules and gives the landlord a chance to say yes. The other options all have serious problems. A is a confrontational approach that uses neighbor behavior as a way to pressure the landlord — this could damage the relationship and still doesn't get the tenant the written approval the lease requires. B is risky and dishonest; getting the dog without permission violates the lease directly, and the tenant could face eviction regardless of the dog's size. "Small" is not an exception unless the landlord says so in writing. D is an overreaction — moving out is unnecessary and expensive. A signed lease can have rules added or changed with both parties' agreement, so asking is always worth trying first. A good strategy to remember: on questions about tenant-landlord situations, look for the answer that follows the written rules and communicates openly. Breaking rules or making assumptions almost always leads to the wrong answer — and real-life trouble too.