1. Read the extract from a boom on British culture, and use one word only to fill each gap in the text.
THE CONQUEST OF FOOD IN BRITAIN
The ethnic minorities are taking over British food. And it’s a good thing, too, since no one would say the British have ever 1________ famous for their cooking. We are actually famous for not being 2________ to cook at all. After hundreds of years of trying to create a national cuisine 3________ could impress the world, the British have never really got much further 4________ breakfast. In fact, other Europeans have always said that in 5________ to eat well in Britain one has to eat an English breakfast three times a day. But times 6________ changing. Nowadays, if you turn 7________ for a meal in a British family home, you are more 8________ to be given Indian curry or a Chinese stir-fry than roast beef with Yorkshire pudding.
2. Read these sentences about food and eating. Can you complete them by writing one word?
1) Of course, I accept that fast food has the advantage ________ convenience.
2) ________ truth is, a lot of our traditional national dishes aren’t very healthy either.
3) Actually, the most important thing is ________ have a balanced diet.
4) I don’t think a burger and chips provides you ________ enough vitamins.
5) I prefer the range of flavors you get ________ traditional dishes.
3. Can you put the words in the correct order to make sentences? Each sentence contains a reason why people buy fast food.
1) If you have to work late, fast you dinner you can food a way eat on home.
2) For young people, alternative is to a cheap fast food a restaurant.
3) Let’s face it, they don’t means it some fast food people and like cooking don’t do have to.
4) If you need to provide group a meal, with large a fast food is an way easy to do it.
4. Use this framework to write sentences describing eating and drinking in your country. You should also add some ideas of your own.
We have breakfast at … and we eat our main meal of the day at …
Restaurants usually close at …
The main ingredients of our cooking are: … and …
The most popular traditional dish is … or …
If you want a snack, you should go to a … and ask for …
My favorite meal consists of …
Is the situation changing? Well, …
Answers & Comments
1) been
2) able
3) that
4) than
5) order
6) are
7) up
8) likely
2.
1) of
2) The
3) to
4) with
5) from
3.
1) If you have to work late, you can eat fast food on your way home.
2) For young people, a cheap alternative is to eat at a fast food restaurant.
3) Let's face it, some people don't like cooking, and they don't have the means to do it.
4) If you need to provide a meal for a large group, fast food is an easy way to do it.
4.
We have breakfast at 7:00 AM, and we eat our main meal of the day at 1:00 PM.
Restaurants usually close at 10:00 PM.
The main ingredients of our cooking are rice and vegetables.
The most popular traditional dish is "national dish name" or "another traditional dish."
If you want a snack, you should go to a local bakery and ask for pastries.
My favorite meal consists of grilled chicken and fresh salad.
Is the situation changing? Well, there is a growing interest in international cuisines, and more people are exploring different flavors and cooking styles.