Food & Cooking//Restaurants Eating Habits

o Is there any food/drink you couldnt live without? How often do you eat/drink it?
Intermediate II
Yes, there is. I couldnt live without my cup of coffee in the morning or a salad made of lettuce, tomatoes,
Dialogue-Eating Habits
tuna, onions, carrots
Jerez de los Caballeros and a boiled egg as a starter.
o What kind of ready-made/takeaway food do you eat? How often?
I often have a pair of frozen pizzas in the freezer for emergencies. For example, when I arrive home late and I
feel tired to cook, I only have to bake/heat up. I hardly ever order takeaway food, but if I am with friends on
Saturday night, we sometimes order Chinese or Turkish food or we go to some fast food restautant to eat
some hamburguer.
o What type of vegetables do you like? And what type dont you like?
I like vegetables like peppers if they arent raw and cucumbers dressed with a lot of vinegar and salt. The only
thing I really dont like is cabbage. I cant stand the smeel of it.
o When you eat out, do you normally order meat, fish or vegetarian?
I order meat, usually grilled chicken or a beef fillet steak, but it must be overdone.
o What food do you usually eat when youre feeling a bit down/stressed/before doing
exercise having an exam/some important to do?
If I feel a bit down, I dont doubt about what to eat, I eat chocolate, some biscuits or some sweets, unhealthy
food. Before going to the gym I drink a lot of water and a banana. And before having to do something
important, I drink a big cup of white coffee to keep me awake and give me energy.
o Do you think what we eat it defines us?
Yes, I do. What we eat and drink affect how we think and feel. For example, people who are on diet often feel
sad because they eat less carbs and proteins and these make us feel happier and stronger.
o Is there anything you would change about your eating habits?
Yes, there is. In my view, I would like to reduce snacking between meals or eat healthier snacks like a piece of
fruit. I also should drink more water and less sweetened drinkings.
o How often do you eat out?
I am accustomed to eating out once a week, at weekends.
o Whats your favourite kind of food? Whats your favourite dish?
Without any doubt, my favourite kind of food is Italian one. I like eating pasta, rice and pizzas. My favourite
Italian dish is spaguetti with carbonara sauce and a little bit of oregano.
o Whats the most important thing for you in a restaurant?
(food/service/atmosphere/price)
Ideas discussed in class on the board.
o Have you ever tried English food? What do you think of it?
Yes, I ate English food some years ago when I visited London. I remember, my friends and I went to an Fish
and Chips, and I didnt really like it. Its dishes tasted too much spicy. Even, I also order a sandwich made of
cheese cheedar and ham, and it was tasteless.
o What was your favourite food when you were a child?
When I was a child, I adore eating white rice with a fried egg and tomato and a small baguette with butter and
sugar in the afternoon.
o Is there anything that you like/dont like cooking?
What I enjoy making desserts although you have to be patient and precise when you are preparing it because
you have to measure the quantities of the different ingredients.
o In your country, when people eat out would they normally tell the chef what they really
think about the food?
In Spain, we often speak with waiters in a restaurant, we hardly ever see the chef, so if we have to tell someone
something about food, Spaniards/Spanish people tell him/her. By general rule, I think/believe/reckon that we
are too much sincere and we say if we like or dont like the dish.
o Do you know anyone who is difficult/tough customer in restaurants?
Yes, my friend Vicente. He is too much demanding with waiters. He needs that all waiters attention. He tends
to stand up because he hates waiting if the meal is being a little bit late. As well, he gets angry if there is not
any dish or drink like wine or whisky.

Intermediate II
Intermediate II
Dialogue-Eating Habits
Jerez de los Caballeros
Dialogues

o Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?

I prefer eating at home because I need a relaxing atmosphere and I dont often find it eating
out.
I prefer eating out because I dont have to serve the table or do the washing-up.
o Do you think men are better cooks than women?
Although it is true that the most well-known chefs in Spain or around the world are men,
from my point of view, being a good cook depends on the person, not on the gender.
o Do you think boys and girls should learn to cook at school?
I am not sure about that, but I would say that it is not necessary. Today, they have too many
subjects. As well, some people don't have the time to cook when they're older and if they
dont have time to cook they don't need to learn to cook.

Yes, they do. Nowadays, people are choosing the easier cooking option, it is to go to fast
food restaurants and it is increasing the rate of obesity in children. Cooking is such an
important part of a child's early life! They can learn about the healthier eating options and
develop future skills because in the future they will live alone or they will cook for their
children.
o Do you think cheap restaurants usually serve bad food?
Yes, I do because those cheap food usually contains unhealthy ingredients.
o Whats more important for you: company or what you eat?
I am of thinking that when someone goes to eat out, for example, people go more to eat
with someone in particular, that I, the company and what he/she eats is less important.
o Is all fast food unhealthy?
Yes, it is. The food that fast food restaurants serve contains a lot of calories and fat, although
they also offer a great variety of salads.
Intermediate II
Dialogue-Eating Habits
Jerez de los Caballeros

USEFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION

In my opinion, ... In my eyes, ...

To my mind, ... As far as I am concerned, ... Speaking personally,
...
From my point of view, ... As for me / As to me, ...
My view / opinion / belief / impression / conviction is that ... I hold the view that
...
I would say that ... It seems to me that ... I am of the
opinion that ...
My impression is that ... I am under the impression that ... It is my impression that ...
I have the feeling that ... My own feeling on the subject is that ...
I have no doubt that ... I am sure / I am certain that ...
I think / consider / find / feel / believe / suppose / presume / assume that ...
I hold the opinion that ... (I form / adopt an opinion.) I dare say that ...
I guess that ... I bet that .... I gather that ...
It goes without saying that ...

USEFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT

I agree with you / him ... I share your view. I think

so.
I really think so.
(The author / the narrator / the protagonist / etc.) is right
He is quite right / absolutely right He may be right.
I have no objection. I approve of it. I have come to the same conclusion
I hold the same opinion. We are of one mind / of the same mind on that question.
I am at one with him on that point. It is true. That is right.
That's just it ! Fair enough ! Quite so !
Just so ! Yes of course !
Intermediate II
Dialogue-Eating Habits
Jerez de los Caballeros

USEFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR DISAGREEMENT

I don't agree. I disagree. I don't think so.

You are / he is wrong. I think otherwise. I don't think that's quite right.
I don't agree with you/him. I don't agree with what you say. I am afraid that is not quite true.
I take a different view. I don't share his/her/your view. This argument does not hold water.
Not at all ! Nonsense ! Rubbish !
He's off his head !

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE SPEAKING TEST

You should start by introducing yourself, then tell your mate what topic you are going to talk
about and what aspect(s) you are going to focus your attention to.

Example: Introduce yourself: Good afternoon, my name is Alma and Im 30 years old. Im from
Madrid but I am living in Jerez because I am working as a Maths teacher.

Introduction: Im going to talk about eating. First, I will speak about my eating habits now. And
later, I am going to describe my favourite dish (Arrange your speech with time connectors)

Ideas for the monologue

EATING HABITS

- Your diet

- Your favourite dish

- Cooking

- Eating habits in the past and now

- Types of restaurants you like/dislike

- Eating habits in your country

- Eating out

- Diets: men and women