英语博客(A cup of English):068 A Tour of Homes 1.

　　A Tour of Homes.

What is the name of the first room that you come to when you walk into a house? It's the entry way. This room varies from house to house. Some are big; others are small. Either way, it is a space in the house which is used as an introduction to the rest of the house. In Western homes, the entry way is not usually an enclosed room. There could be several openings that lead to other rooms. We walk through the front door. There are many types of these: solid wood, glass, a windowed door, double doors, arched doors. And part of the door that is important for its style is the hardware. That is basically the metal parts: the hinges and the door handle. Occasionally there will be a knocker which is metal and with which you knock. Nowadays, most people have a door bell instead. These are the 'ding-dong' type, or an electric buzzer 1 of some kind.

Often there is a door mat infront of the door, to wipe your feet on. You walk through the doorway 2 and into the entryway. As you look around you will see a place to hang up coats, perhaps a closet or a coat hanger 3. Sometimes there is a mirror on the wall, and a long, slim table under the mirror which is elegant or, at least, decorated in some way. The entryways that I have seen have flowers in pots or baskets, framed art on the walls, and even chandaliers hanging from the ceiling. Often, there are photos of family members here and there.

The floors could be any of various materials: wood, tile, carpet, or even painted concrete. The most popular rugs that one tends to see on the floor are called Asian, Indian, Persian, Traditional, or Native of some kind. Lighting 4 is important, of course, to create atmosphere, and so you don't crash into something and get hurt. So, apart from the occasional chandalier, there might be a standing 5 lamp, or a table lamp, and some are touch on touch off, clap on clap off, or plugged in to a timer. The lamps usually have a switch that you flip 6 or turn, or a button that you press. There are even hallway lights or 'night lights' that one plugs into the electrical sockets 7, so when the other lights are off, you can still see the floor and where you are going. Electrical sockets or outlets 8 are so useful, especially for plugging in the vacuum cleaner or decorations at Christmas time.

Some people keep their keys in the entry way, so it is easy and quick to pick them up on the way out in the morning. There are key holders 10 of various types and shapes that do the job.

If shoes are taken off in the entry way, then they are put either on a shoe holder 9, on a shelf, or in a closet. A beautiful thing to have in your entry way also is a chest. This is a big box, usually made of wood, in which you can store anything you need.

My entry way is quite simple, relatively 11 small, and empty. It has a mirror, a glass table (which, by some miracle is still  in one piece), a standing lamp, and tile floors. Think about your entry way, and if you have words to add to this list, let me know.