Question

Airbnb is a website for people to list, find and rent accommodation. It was founded
in August 2008 and based in San Francisco, California. Brian Chesky and Joe
Gebbia created the initial concept for AirBed&Breakfast during a conference
attended by many people who were unable to book a hotel because the city was
completely full. They changed their living-room into bed and breakfast
accommodation and this helped them to pay for their loft in San Francisco. In
March 2009, the name Airbedandbreakfast.com was shortened to Airbnb.com and
the site had expanded from air beds and shared spaces to a variety of properties
including entire homes and apartments, castles, boats, tree houses, igloos and
private islands.
In 2010 the site was considered one of the best places to find accommodation
worldwide. Its successful system connects users who are categorized as “hosts” and
“guests”. Hosts register on this website and can publish up to 24 photographs of
the property. Guests register too and send a private email to the host of the house
where they’d like to stay. Hosts have 24 hours to accept or decline the reservation.

Airbnb facilitates online payments which the host receives 24 hours after check-in
(payments include security deposits and cleaning fees). After their stay, all guests
must write a comment on the house which will help other guests to choose the
property. Hosts must send information about the city, and any house rules and help
guests with any problems they may have.
Vocabulary
Host: a person who receives people in his or her home
Guest: a person who spends some time in another’s home
Ref: Adapted from Wikipedia.com
1. Answer the following questions from the text. (2 points. 0,5 each)
a) How did Airbnb start?
b) What kind of properties can you find on the website nowadays?
c) What must the host do?
d) What must the guest do

Answer 1

a) Airbnb start with the concept for AirBed&Breakfast during a conference
attended by many people who were unable to book a hotel because the city was
completely full.

b) The site had expanded from air beds and shared spaces to a variety of properties
including entire homes and apartments, castles, boats, tree houses, igloos and
private islands.

c)Hosts register on this website and can publish up to 24 photographs of
the property. Hosts have 24 hours to accept or decline the reservation.

d). Guests register and send a private email to the host of the house where they would like to stay.

I hope you have a nice test. :)