Module 4.

Meals

ON YOUR OWN

Upgrading Your
Language Competence

Exercise 1. Read the text and choose the correct alternatives. Write down how
you would feel if you went to The Blind Cow restaurant.
My first experience of The Blind Cow in Zurich was when I was taken there by
1) a few / a little friends for a meal to celebrate passing our exams. 2) A large
amount of / Several people had read good reviews about it and we were all keen to
experience this unusual place for ourselves. I must admit, however, that I
approached the evening with 3) a few / a little nervousness. Why? Well, The Blind
Cow isn’t like any / many other restaurant I know, since you eat your meal in pitch
black!
We met in the bar area and spent 4) little / a little time getting used to the darkness.
I had thought that there would be at least 5) a few / a small amount of light
somewhere, but there wasn’t! there weren’t 6) many / much other people in the bar,
but I still kept thinking I would bump into someone. But it’s amazing how quickly
it gets easier as you start using your other senses. After 7) few / a few drinks in the
bar, we went down to the actual restaurant, where already the 8) plenty of / lack of
light wasn’t really bothering me anymore. In fact, I was beginning to enjoy it.
There are 9) a great deal of / a lot of waiters and other staff there to help you and I
must say, it is one of the most enjoyable meals I’ve had for 10) many / a large
amount of years. And also one of the tastiest – somehow because I couldn’t see
11) none / any of the food, the taste became all the more delicious.
(From Richard Acklam, Araminta Crace, Premium B2, Coursebook)
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Exercise 2. Categorize the words from the box into two categories. Make up 5
sentences using the words from both columns.
Example: I prefer to roast meat. It tastes more tender.

substantial roast slice tough succulent whisk juicy mix tender simmer

mouth-watering chop raw wholesome steam sour crunchy stir scramble

rare braise lean stuff nourishing grill mince grate savoury bitter

Ways of describing food Ways of preparing food

_______________________________ Example: roast___________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

1. ________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________________________

Exercise 3. Choose the correct alternatives.

Example: 0. I’ve never eaten rare/raw/well-done fish. I prefer things cooked.
1. This coffee has a distinctive succulent/sour/bitter taste.
2. Mix/chop/slice the carrot into pieces about 1 cm square.
3. You need to simmer/roast/stuff the pasta for about ten minutes in very hot water.
4. This beefsteak has been overcooked and is very tender/succulent/tough.
5. Stir/Whisk/Scramble all the dry ingredients together slowly with a wooden
spoon.
6. Please don’t cook the cabbage for too long. I prefer it a bit juicy/rare/crunchy.
7. You can either fry/grill/grate the cheese or cut it into very small pieces.
8. I have a very hard day today. I must have something substantial/mouth-
watering/succulent to eat.
9. You can mince/stuff/bake the turkey with anything to you taste.
10. Before pouring milk into the mixture scramble/mix/mince the eggs with a
pinch of salt.

Exercise 4. Make the phrases with the given words and fill in the sentences
below.
junk tooth
slap-up drinks
food meal
sweet snack
quick food
fizzy poisoning

1. The dessert is definitely the best part of a meal for me. I’ve got a ___________.
2. He is feeling under the weather. He thinks he got ____________ from those
shrimps he ate at lunchtime.
3. Let’s go to that nice new restaurant and have a _______ tonight.
4. You should drink water rather than __________ when it’s hot because the sugar
just dehydrates you.
5. She wasn’t feeling very hungry so she just made a ________ for lunch.
6. He spends a fortune on takeaways, but he knows ________ is very unhealthy.

Integrating Your Skills

Exercise 5. Decode QR-codes and read information about unusual
restaurants. Say which restaurant appeals to you most and you would
definitely like to visit. Give reasons for your choice.
 Exercise 6. Look at the pictures and say in which of the places you could do
the things stated below. Explain the reason.

 Enjoy a quiet and romantic

atmosphere
 Meet with your friends for a
burger and chips
 Order traditional food
 Have a light snack CAFE
RESTAURANT
 Have a business lunch
 Celebrate a special occasion

OD
SNACK BAR

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Exercise 7. Complete a list of complaints some people may have when eating
out. Which is the most irritating for you and why.
Food: undercooked meat, ___________________________________
Service: impolite waiter, ____________________________________
Atmosphere/Décor: bright light, ______________________________
Price: overcharged, ___________________________________
Hygiene: dirty cutlery, ________________________________

Exercise 8. With your partner role-play a short conversation making either a

mild or strong complaint when eating out. Use the prompts to help you.
Useful language for complaints
Mild Strong
I may be mistaken but ……… This just won’t do!
I’m terribly sorry but there is a problem This is just unacceptable!
with ……..
There seems to be something wrong How dare you!
with …….

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Exercise 9. Write an email to your friend about a time you ate out and were
very much disappointed. Mention at least three things you had strong
complaints about.
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Exercise 10. Watch a video episode about ordering a meal at a restaurant and
fill in the missing words in the conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09a2jXKIzGs
- Are you ready __________ ?
- Yes, please.
- Can I get you something to __________ ?
- No, thank you. I’d like the tuna with a __________.
- And for you, sir?
- I’ll have the steak, please.
- Would you like that with fries or _________?
- Fries, please.
- How would you like your steak: rare, ____________, or well done?
- Well done.
- Okay, and to drink?
- Water, please.
- ________ or sparkling?
- Sparkling.

Exercise 11A. Watch the video about Real Life English that you can use at the
restaurant and write down the definitions to the following words and the
sentences they can be used in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKZobM75mk4&t=584s
Word Definition Example
to eat out
to book
a special
to splurge
on the side
gratuity
Exercise 11B. Watch the video about Real Life English that you can use at the
restaurant and write down the examples of common ways to 1) deal with
problems; and 2) get the check. With your partner role play a conversation
between a customer and a waiter using these phrases.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKZobM75mk4&t=584s

Excuse me,
but I didn’t
… ..order
Dealing
this.
with
problems

Could I
have a bill,
please?
Getting
the bill

Exercise 12. Rank the following cuisines in order of preference, where 1 – the
most favourite, 5 – least favourite. Explain your choice.
Example: Georgian – 1. Georgian cuisine is the top on my list. It includes various
meat dishes
Japanese food
Georgian food 1
Mexican food
Ukrainian food
French food
Italian food
Exercise 13. Choose one dish for the cuisine of your preference and decide on
the ingredients you need to cook it. Say what shop departments you will visit
to buy the products. Present your ideas in writing.
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