Meaning of "about 1500 square feet when construction"

[Asterix]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #229 "Homophone test (12)", question 5

Lance drew up the blueprints. He decided that the house should be about 1500 square ......... when construction is complete.

(a) foot
(b) feat
(c) feet
(d) fat

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #229 "Homophone test (12)", answer 5

Lance drew up the blueprints. He decided that the house should be about 1500 square feet when construction is complete.

Correct answer: (c) feet
_________________________

i don't understand

Asterix

[Linda]

Hello,
In North America, when people measure the 'area' of a house, for example, they can use 'feet.' A 'foot' is a unit of measurement within the Imperial system. Even in Canada, where the Metric system is in place and used all the time, some people still use the Imperial system when talking about the area of a house, building etc. We used the imperial system in Canada until the 1960s so some people can use both quite easily.
Square feet is the 'area' = length X width = square feet. You can also use different units of measurement (square metres, for example) and people often will use both the Metric and Imperial system in North America at times.
I hope this helps.
Linda
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia