Episode 21

EPISODE 21
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

 

READING COMPREHENSION

 

 AT A RESTAURANT          

Customer: Excuse me, have you got a table for three? (= I need a table for three people)
Waiter: Did you have a reservation, sir? (= Did you book a table?)
Customer: Yes, under Kowalski.
Waiter: This way, please.

AFTER SOME TIME

Waiter: Are you ready to order, sir? (= Do you know what you would like to eat, sir?)
Customer: Yes, I’d like bean soup to start with. And then a steak. Rare ( = fried for a very short time). Oh, and a salad with tomatoes and chopped onions.
Waiter: Anything to drink?
Customer: Yes, a bottle of house red, please. (= a bottle of red, table wine, please)

AFTER SOME TIME

Customer: Excuse me!
Waiter: Yes?
Customer: I’m used to better service than this! I haven’t got a spoon! And could you bring me some more bread, please?

AFTER SOME TIME

Customer: Could I have the bill, please? (= I would like to pay now)
Waiter: Yes, of course. How would you like to pay?
Customer: Do you accept credit cards? (= Can I pay by credit card?)
Waiter: Yes, of course. Thank you very much, Sir.

 

 

More contexts for the new words:

• Who’s the fish?
  (= Who ordered the fish?)
• A: Would you like some more wine? B: Just a drop, thanks.
  (= I don’t want too much wine)
• Your steak can be rare, medium or well-done .
  (= when it is medium it is fried longer than a rare steak, when it is well-done it is fried for quite a long time until it is completely brown inside)

 

 

EXERCISE 1

Match the columns to make correct expressions.

1. I have a reservation                             a) house red, please.
2. I’d like a bottle of                                 b) to order?
3. Would you like your steak                 c) to start with.
4. Are you ready                                       d) under Kowalski.
5. Do you accept                                      e) rare or well-done?
6. I’d like a salad                                      f) credit cards?

 

 

EXERCISE 2

Complete the questions with the key words from the text. Then answer them.

 

1. What was the biggest ………………………… that you have ever paid in a restaurant?
2. How do you like your steak: …………………………, medium or …………………………?
3. Do you always make a ………………………… before you go to a restaurant?

 

ENGLISH IN USE 

 

At some point in the text the customer says:

I’m used to better service than this …

Here again we can see „used to,” with a different meaning. When we say:

I’m used to driving big cars
I’m used to traveling to work by train.
I’m used to eating a big breakfast.

we say that these are „normal” activities for us, we expect them to be this way.

Please note that after „I’m used to” we also need to use a gerund (verb + ing).

 

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ Look at Jenny! She’s just finished a chocolate, started a packet of biscuits, and wants to eat the jelly as well!

B/ Well, that girl really HAS A SWEET TOOTH.

 

If you have a sweet tooth, you really like sweet things.

 

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

 

1. If you CUT DOWN ON some food, you eat less of it in order to be more healthy.

I’m trying to cut down on caffeine.

I eat too many sweets, I feel I really need to cut down.

 

2. If you PICK AT food, you eat only very little, showing no interest on enjoyment.

Charles picked at his food in a bored fashion.

The children spent an hour picking at their meat.

 

 

 

EXERCISE 3

Complete the dialogues. Use the prompts and the idiom/phrasal verbs you have learned.

 

A: Why/ pick / your food? …………………………………………………………… (1)

B: I’m trying to lose some weight.

A: Well, then you should / cut / sweets …………………………………………………………… (2)

B: You know I couldn’t. I really have / tooth …………………………………………………………… (3)

 

 

 

NEWS

 

NO SMOKING

The public opinion nationwide is divided on the latest hot issue – the recent introduction of a ban on smoking in restaurants. According to the new regulations, a restaurant can have a smoking area only if it is fully isolated and properly ventilated. Most restaurants cannot afford such alterations, so they will be completely non-smoking. Smokers complain that the ban limits their personal freedom, and that they should have the right to smoke whenever they eat. On the other hand, those who hate cigarettes are finally happy that they will be able to eat out without stinking afterwards. And whose side are you on?

 

GLOSSARY

– a ban – a prohibition

– alterations – changes

– to stink – to smell bad

 

 

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