Unit 8. Meals

Meals

Meals in England are much the same as in other countries with the exception of breakfast. I expect you've heard all about the English breakfast with its porridge or cereal, bacon and eggs, toast, marmalade and tea or coffee. Very few people like chocolate or cocoa for breakfast. In the afternoon about four o'clock or half past nearly everybody has tea. The two main meals of the day, lunch and dinner, are more or less alike. Most people have lunch about one o'clock and dinner at half past seven or later.

Questions:

What is the English breakfast like?

What are the two main meals of the day?

When do the English have lunch (dinner)?

At the Continental Restaurant

Yesterday was Sherman and Dorothy Johnson's twenty-third anniversary. They went to the Continental Restaurant for dinner. This restaurant is a very special place for Sherman and Dorothy because they went there on their first date twenty-four years ago. Sherman and Dorothy sat at a quiet, romantic table in the corner. They had two glasses of wine and then they ordered dinner. First Dorothy ordered a bowl of vegetable soup, and Sherman ordered a glass of tomato juice.

For the main course Dorothy ordered baked chicken with rice and Sherman ordered fish with potatoes.

For dessert Dorothy ordered a piece of apple pie and Sherman ordered a bowl of strawberries.

Sherman and Dorothy enjoyed their dinner very much. The soup was delicious and the tomato juice was fresh. The chicken was wonderful and the rice was tasty. The fish was fantastic and the potatoes were excellent. The apple pie was magnificent and the strawberries were out of this world!

Sherman and Dorothy had a wonderful evening at the Continental Restaurant. It was a very special anniversary.

Questions:

Where did Sherman and Dorothy celebrate their wedding anniversary?

What dishes did they order at the restaurant?

How did they find the cooking?

Dinner for Two

Max Roberts is a bachelor. He lives in a small flat in London. Max not only enjoys eating food, he enjoys preparing it as well. His favourite hobby is cooking. He has had so much practice that he has become an expert cook.

His sister, Anne, called on him last Sunday evening. It was nearly dinner time and Max was in the kitchen. He was wearing an apron and preparing a meal.

"You will stay to dinner, of course", Max said. "I'm starving!" Ann said. "Is there enough food for both of us?" "I hope so," Max answered. Anne lifted the lid of the saucepan. "Mm", she said. "It smells delicious. What is it?" "It's a Mexican dish", Max answered. "But this dish ought to be good. I've been preparing it for 5 hours". "There's enough food here for ten people!"Anne said as she looked into the saucepan. "Are you expecting company?" "No", Max replied. "I was going to eat it all myself".

Questions:

Where does Max live?

What is Max's favourite hobby?

When did his sister call on him?

Where was Max at the time?

What was Max doing when his sister called?

What sort of dish was Max preparing?

Why did his sister ask him if he was expecting company?

An Unwelcome Visitor

The door bell rang. Mrs Carson opened the front door. Her heart sank when she saw Mrs Barbidge. Whenever Mrs Barbidge called she stayed for hours and hours.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Carson", Mrs Barbidge said. "I was just passing and thought I'd drop in to say hullo".

"How very thoughtful of you", Mrs Carson replied. "Do come in."

Just as Mrs Carson had feared Mrs Barbidge stayed for several hours. It was nearly six o'clock and Mr Carson would be home from work soon. He couldn't stand Mrs Barbidge. Mrs Carson kept wondering how she could persuade Mrs Barbidge to leave without offending her.

"Has your husband got home from work yet?" Mrs Carson asked. "Oh, yes," Mrs Barbidge answered. "He always gets home about 5 o'clock". "It's nearly 6 o'clock. Won't he be getting worried about you?" Mrs Carson said.

"I thought of that," Mrs Barbidge said. "But it's so pleasant here. We've had such a lovely afternoon. You know what I'll do? I'll ring up my husband and tell him to come round too. May I use your phone, please?"

Questions:

Why was Mrs Carson disappointed when Mrs Barbidge called?

When does Mr Carson come from work?

How does Mr Carson feel about Mrs Barbidge?

How did Mrs Carson try to get Mrs Barbidge to leave?

Why did Mrs Barbidge decide to telephone her husband?