25Describing people,
places, and things
Conversation: Talking about roommates
Eric: So, Michael, what’s your new roommate like?
Michael: Well, if you have all day, I’ll describe him for you. He’s quite the
character.
Eric: I don’t have all day, dude—but basically—do you get along with him?
Michael: Actually, yeah—but that’s only because we hardly ever see each
other. The guy sleeps all day. Sometimes he gets up just to go to his
classes, and then he comes back to the room and goes back to bed. Then
he’ll get up at midnight and study all night.
Eric: Really? You don’t eat together, then?
Michael: The truth is, I don’t even know when he eats, or where.
Eric: Then at least he doesn’t leave a mess in the kitchen.
Michael: No! The guy is incredibly neat. He actually leaves the bathroom
clean every day—and he doesn’t seem to have dirty clothes. He’s like
a ghost.
Eric: Man, I think you have the perfect roommate!
Michael: What about yours? What’s he like?
Eric: Well, he’s the exact opposite of yours. We’re a lot alike, and we’re
together a lot. I mean, we have two classes together and we’re in the same
fraternity, so we’re really good friends.
Michael: Sounds to me like you have the ideal roommate!
Eric: Well, yes—and no. Mine is a disaster in the house. In the first place,
he always leaves a mess in the kitchen; he doesn’t wash the dishes or take
out the trash. Plus, he throws his clothes all over the place. Not to
mention how he leaves the bathroom...
Michael: Come on, Eric—he sounds a lot like you. No wonder you get
along so well!· 3 ·