A、Because it is enjoyable to cook at home. B、Because it is time-consuming to eat outside. C、Because it is expensive to eat outsi

Moderator:
    Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This week’s financial talk will be given by our property expert, James Milligan. James Milligan, a senior researcher, from London Property Association, is here to tell us about some surprising new developments in the London area. Welcome, Mr. Milligan.
    Mr. Milligan:
    Good afternoon. Not so very long ago it would have been really unusual to pay ￡1 million for a house. Unfortunately that is no longer so. The cheap house is a thing of the past. Now, the sale of a ￡1 million house no longer causes surprise, nor is it likely to be the subject of a newspaper article.
    What exactly can we expect to get today? Well, first of all, space, of course. Living in large cities has made us all tired of living in those crowded little houses and flats built just after the war. We now want space, space to live and relax in, preferably with a garden. And this, of course, is what puts the price up. Another reason for needing space is the fact that we have larger families growing up under one roof and even quite small children demand their own room these days, while teenagers may demand an extra room where they can entertain their friends privately. Also the trend of going out to eat is dying out due to the rising prices of restaurant and transport, so people are once more beginning to entertain and dine at home, which requires a larger dining room. There are numerous new developments in London at the moment which can provide all this and more—if you have the money!
    At the moment the most fashionable places seem to be the Barbican, St. John’s Wood, Morgan’s Walk in Battersea. People wanting quiet in the evening tend to prefer the Barbican situated in the business heart of the city and therefore fairly free of traffic in the evenings although several theatres have opened there lately. The Barbican is also for those who like living high up, accommodation being situated mostly in tower blocks. St. John’s Wood, on the other hand, is favored mostly by upper-middle class families who prefer a detached house surrounded by a walled garden, thus ensuring their privacy. Gardens, of course, tend to raise the price of a property. Those not interested in gardening can choose from the grand mansions in Battersea where you can get a wonderful view of the Thames and are still only a few minutes away from London’s theatres and shops.
    Thank you for your listening. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you.
    Questions 16 to 19 are based on the recording you have just heard.
    16. What is the lecture mainly about?
    17. What pushes up the price of a house according to James Milligan?
    18. Why do people tend to have meals at home?
    19. Which is the ideal place for people wanting quiet in the evening?