5. In a Tea-shop

John: Hello, Mary. I’m glad you were able to come.

Mary: Hello, John. I’m afraid I’m rather late. Have you been waiting long?

J: Oh, no, only a few minutes. Let’s sit over there by the window, shall we?

M: Okay.

J: Here’s an empty table. Now let me help you with your coat.

M: Thank you, John.

J: Now then, which do you prefer: tea or coffee?

M: I think I’d like tea, please.

J: Waitress! Can we have a pot of tea for two, please?

W: Yes, sir. And what would you like to eat?

M: I’d like bread and butter, a cheese sandwich and some cake.

J: So would I. Have you got any of your special chocolate cakes today?

W: Yes, we have. I’ll bring you some. Anything else?

Mary and John: No, thank you.

W: Tea for two, bread and butter and cheese sandwich and chocolate cakes.

J: That’s right.

W: Thank you.

6. In a Café

Alison: Have we time for another coffee?

Richard: I think so.

A: Shall I give you some?

R: Yes, please.

A: Do you take sugar?

R: No, thank you.

A: Will you have a cigarette?

R: In a moment.

A: Have you paid the bill?

R: Not yet.

A: Shouldn’t we be going now?

R: All right.

A: Shall we take a taxi?

R: If you like.

7. At Table

Nick: I say, mum, I’m terribly hungry. I haven’t had a thing all day. I could do with a snack.

Mother: Why, you’re just in time for dinner.

N: No soup for me. I’d rather have beef steak.

M: Are you quite sure you wouldn’t like some soup? It tastes all right.

N: There’s nothing like steak and chips. I’ll go and wash my hands.

M: How’s the steak? I’m afraid it’s underdone.

N: Oh, it’s just to my liking. I don’t like meat overdone. May I have another helping of chips?

M: Yes, certainly. Hand me your plate, please, and help yourself to the salad. Just to see how it tastes.

N: Oh, it’s delicious.

M: Shall I put some mustard on your steak?

N: No, thanks, I don’t care for mustard. I’d rather take a spoonful of sauce. Pass me the sauce, please.

M: Here you are. What will you have: tea or coffee?

N: A cup of tea.

M: Any milk? Shall I put butter on your bread?

N: No, thanks. I can’t see the sugar-basin.

M: It’s behind the bread-plate. Have a better look.

N: I’m afraid it’s the salt-cellar.

M: So it is. In a hurry I must have left it in the dresser.

N: It’s all right. I’ll get it myself.

M: Help yourself to the cake. There’s nothing else to follow.

N: Mmm. I’ve had a delicious meal, mum. Thanks a lot.

6. Western-Style Food

Bill and Jane are a young couple from New Zealand. They were staying in the same hotel as the Taylors; in fact they were neighbours, as they occupied the next cottage. They had arrived a week before the Taylors and knew a restaurant which served good food. They suggested going there for a meal, so the four of them went there that evening for dinner. Although they hadn’t reserved a table, they managed to get in. there was a long menu with several western-style dishes and a wine list with some local and some imported wines. Bill was fond of the local wine and persuaded the Taylors to try it.

Bill: What would you like to drink? Have you tried maki?

Mrs. T: Er, no. What’s maki?

B: The local wine. It’s made from mangoes – they drink it with every course.

Mrs. T: Is it very strong?

B: Quite strong, but you can add water if you like.

Mr. T: Let’s try it. Shall we order a couple of bottles? May I fill your glass?

J: Thank you.

Mrs. T: I think I’ll start with the soup.

B: Actually, you finish with the soup here.

Mrs. T: Really?

Mr. T: I think I’ll have the steak. (to the waiter) I’d like it well done, please.

Waiter: Right, sir.

Jane: The curry sauce is worth trying.

Mrs. T: Sorry, I can’t eat mussels (мидии). It makes me ill. I think I’d rather have the chicken pie.

Speak of the breakfast you had, making use of some vocabulary items from the list. Give reasons for approval and disapproval:

an inviting-looking dish juicy really first-class there’s none like it to give the satisfaction to the eye and tongue tender, melting in the mouth well-flavoured food a special delicacy a real thing lovely coffee tempting things mouth-watering selection of creamy cakes and delicious pastries marvellously satisfying quite decent delicate sandwiches a perfect cup of tea

a sickly-looking, gluey mess it had a queer salty taste a horrible sloppy mass watery and tasteless undrinkable coffee uneatable cabbage as tough as old boots with no particular flavour underdone/overdone plain food soggy disgusting half-baked hastily prepared unpleasantly cold and damp actually burnt sodden vegetables untidy badly made