Comprehensive reading

Read the article and define the statements below as true (T) or false (F).

Turkish cuisine

Turkish food is delicious, rich, and varied. Turkey is self-sufficient in food, and the range of vegetables and fruits available at all times of the year provides a constant source of fresh ingredients. Because of this, the taste and preparation of the wide range of dishes changes with the seasons. We never use tinned or frozen ingredients, unless it is to create a specific taste.

Turkish food has some of its origins in the lifestyle of the people that lived in this region during the time of the Sultans. Even today the evening meal is often the evening’s entertainment. The equivalent of the western ‘starter’ is mezes, which consist of a huge selection of tasty dishes served in the centre of the table, including vegetables, meat, chicken, and seafood all prepared differently. Everyone tastes all of the dishes, which often consist of the same vegetable prepared in a number of very different ways. There are, for example, over 100 ways to prepare auberginers alone.

Eating at home in Turkey of in a traditional Turkish restaurant is never hurried, and the evening meal can last for many hours. The transition from starters to the main course is not always obvious, but typical main course dishes are skewers of succulent lamb or chicken, accompanied by tasty rice dishes.

Desserts are extremely sweet and the perfect complement to the strongly savoury aspect of Turkish food. The wide range of sweet dishes available is a good complement to the equally extensive range of mezes. Visitors to Turkey are often surprised by an unusual Turkish custom. When you eat out, it is not unusual to change restaurants at the dessert stage!

We hope this short culinary guide provides you with an insight into eating in Turkey and gives you another reason to visit this very hospitable country. It only remains to wish you a very sincere, ‘Afiyet olsun’.

1. Because of climate, you get different dishes at different times of the year.

2. Mezes are put in the centre of the table for everybody to try.

3. Turkish meals usually take a long time.

4. Lamb or chicken with tasty rice are typical mezes.

5. It is quite common for Turkish people to have their main course in one restaurant and their sweet course in another.

6. Turkish people don’t like sweet food.

Brochure language

Read the descriptions and say which hotel:

7. offers a service for no extra charge

8. is close to the city centre

9. ensures its rooms are quiet inside

10. combines modernity with tradition

11. provides an exceptionally high level of service

Berlin’s Best Hotels

Berlin boasts many splendid and luxurious hotels. While some of them belong to international chains, others are private establishments with an intimate atmosphere. The hotels chosen here offer unique interiors, excellent service and a price that is a true representation of the accommodation and service provided.

1. Hotel Adlon

This super-luxurious hotel has a stunning interior. Walls and windows in the rooms have excellent sound-proofing.

2. Four Seasons Hotel

This hotel, one of the top three in Berlin, offers opulent interiors with magnificent flower arrangements and impeccable service.

3. Hackescher Markt

This charming hotel, opened in 1998, has bright, elegant rooms and a beautiful façade that matches the surrounding historic architecture.

4. DeragHotel Grosser Kurfürst

This modern hotel offers many additional services, such as free bicycle hire, that set it apart from other hotels.

5. Berlin Hilton

Its nearness to the Gendarmenmarkt and the amazing choice of restaurants distinguish this hotel. Some of the rooms have spectacular views.

Match these words with their definitions.

12. stunning a) very light

13. impeccable b) extremely attractive

14. spectacular c) highly decorated

15. bright d) very impressive and exciting

16. luxurious e) perfect

17. opulent f) attractive and nice

18. charming g) extremely comfortable