Read the text and choose the correct answers

I was struggling to get by. I had just moved to Gloucester from London and had taken the first job that I was offered as a cashier in a local supermarket. I was barely earning enough to do my weekly shopping and I yearned for the money I used to make back in London. As I couldn't afford my own place, I had settled for my best friend's sofa, but the hard cushions and backaches had made me realise that, above all else, I craved my old flat — my little sanctuary! I soon began to wonder if moving had been the right decision. That's when I heard a radio advert that changed my life…

"Looking for your own place but dreading the cost? Worry no more! You could live free for a year in the 'Enviro−House', one of Britain's first environmentally friendly homes. We're looking for a resident to live rent−free! For more details, visit www…" My friend had heard about this 'carbon−neutral' house and he thought that it would be very difficult to stick to an energy−conserving routine. I should have considered this, or at least have been concerned about how many 'guests' would actually pass through. But, as I sat on the painfully uncomfortable sofa, the only thing in my head were the words… 'Live free, live free.'

I visited the website and entered the competition to become an 'eco−housemate'. I was one of three lucky finalists who had to battle it out for a place in the house live on local television. We had to cook a meal for five judges using a solar cooker and only organic vegetables and then face questions from the studio audience. The judges weren't impressed with my cooking and I thought I had lost. But, as I looked at my friends in the studio audience they all gave me smiles and the 'thumbs up' and it was just the confidence boost I needed. Thankfully, I made the audience laugh, they liked me and I was voted into the house.

The other finalists were keen environmentalists with a passion for the issue, unlike me. I had never really given it much attention to be honest, as it was insignificant to me. I joked with the audience that the only way I was going to learn was if they sent me to the house! They agreed. As I moved into the house and tried to prepare for a drastic change in lifestyle, I suddenly became nervous and asked myself if I had considered everything thoroughly.

As I walked through the front door, I had worrying visions of living in a futuristic house, full of high−tech gadgets. I certainly wouldn't have been surprised to see a number of complex−looking machines. However, I was shocked to see the house was completely normal. In fact, it looked just like any other house. This eased my mind a bit, as I rarely find modern technology easy to understand, I prefer the simple life.

The heating system, water supply and electricity all worked in exactly the same way as they would in any other house in the UK. The only difference was that the house used renewable sources of energy. At first I thought the house would definitely need some fossil fuels, like coal and gas, but instead, solar panels and small wind turbines (which could be a little noisy at times!) were used to provide the hot water and electricity. The house didn't burn wood or oil either because smoke pollutes the atmosphere.

My experiences in the house made me look at the way I had lived my life in the past and how I should live it in the future. For example, it's neither difficult nor time−consuming to recycle, as long as you make it part of your daily routine. I also changed my perspective on which energy sources to use. I used to think solar panels were too expensive, but now I realise that although the initial cost is high, they actually save a lot of money over time. I've recognised that spending a few extra pounds is preferable to losing our beautiful planet. It's very simple to make those all−important changes; we just need the motivation to make them.

The writer missed London mainly because he no longer

• earned a high salary.
• had his own home.
• lived an inner-city lifestyle.
• shared a flat with his best friend.

After the writer heard the radio announcement, he thought

• that he hated having to sleep on the uncomfortable sofa.
• that he could have his own home without having to pay.
• about how many people would visit the 'Enviro-House'.
• he wouldn't be very good at energy conservation.

In the third paragraph, when the writer says 'they' he is referring to

• the audience.
• the judges.
• the finalists.
• his friends.

Previously, when the writer thought about the environment, he

• considered it unimportant.
• felt very passionate about the issue.
• became quite nervous.
• found the issue rather funny.

As the writer entered the house, he was surprised that

• the house looked futuristic.
• the house had lots of complex machinery.
• the technology was easy to understand.
• the house looked the same as other houses.

As sources of energy, the house used

• only coal and gas.
• some fossil fuels plus solar and wind.
• only renewable sources of energy.
• only wood and oil.

The writer feels that recycling

• takes a lot of time out of his daily routine.
• is expensive to do.
• doesn't take a long time if done daily.
• is difficult to make a part of his daily routine.