Unit5

II. Listening Skills

Listening for People’s Food Preferences

1. M: Jenny, the main courses here are steak, chicken or fish. Each comes with rice. So, what looks good to you?

? W: Gee, I had chicken last night, and I often eat fish for dinner. Maybe I’ll have steak tonight. I’d like it medium.

? Q: What does the woman want to have for dinner?

? The woman wants to have steak for dinner.

?

2. W: I often sleep late and skip breakfast. Sometimes I just have yogurt or something.

? M: I can’t bear the taste of yogurt. I like a regular breakfast—eggs, bacon, toast, and the like.

Q: What does the man like to have for breakfast?

?? The man likes eggs, bacon, toast, and the like for breakfast.

?

3. M: Why don’t we go and get some ice cream?

W: You devil, you know I have a sweet tooth. I love desserts, but I have to be careful about my weight.

Q: What does the woman think about sweet food?

?? The woman has a taste for sweet food, but is worried about putting on weight.

?

4. M: I’ve bought some cookies for the club meeting this evening. Do you like them?

? W: No, not really. Ii prefer fruit, like apples, strawberries, and so on.

? Q: What food does the woman like and dislike?

??? The woman doesn’t like cookies; she likes fruit such as apples and strawberries.

?

5. W: I’ve come to this Chinese restaurant many times. I like sweet-and-sour fish, fried noodles…and the mushroom soup here id delicious.

? M: You’re really a big fan of Chinese food. OK, you do the ordering.

? Q: What kind of Chinese food does the woman like?

??? The woman likes sweet-and-sour fish, fried noodles and the mushroom soup in the restaurant.

III. Listening In

Task 1: Fast Food Culture

Since the late 1900s, Americans have begun to fully believe in their “fast food culture”. In 1994 alone, fast food restaurants in theUnited Statessold over 5 billion hamburgers, making it a favorite meal and an important commodity. Each day in 1996, seven percent of the population ate at the 11,400 McDonald’s; males from their mid-teens to their early 30s made up 75 percent of this business. By then, fast food had become a cultural phenomenon that reached beyondAmerica’s borders. In 1996 McDonald’s owned over 7,000 restaurants in other countries, including: 1,482 inJapan; 430 inFrance; 63 inChina; and so on. McDonald’s has also recognized some cultural differences. InGermany, for example, the outlets sell beer, inFrancethey sell wine and beer, and inSaudi ? Arabiathey have separate sections for men and women and close four times a day for prayers. But for the most part the fast food fare is the same, maintaining the same culture on an international level.

1.D?? 2.C?? 3.A?? 4.B?? 5.C

Task 2: McDonald’s

W: John, I’m really hungry!

M: Just get anything you want, it’s on me today. I’m thinking about a hamburger and some chicken McNuggets.

W: Thanks, man. That sounds good. I love milkshakes here.

M: Me, too. The formula of McDonald’s is really special.

W: Right. And no matter where you go in the world, you can always see similar menu items and the same high level of quality in McDonald’s.

M: It’s true. They also do well because of diversity. I mean, they sell different products according to people’s tastes and preferences in different areas.

W: Right. Like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Seafood Soup that they sell inChina. They could never sell that here!

M: But I’ve heard that McDonald’s is really losing market share in the States now, and has closed down some restaurants.

W: Yeah. It’s just so difficult to stay competitive when there so many fast food chains in the States. I mean there are KFC, Pizza Hut, and A&W, just to name a few.

M: It seems that they’re doing better overseas,’ cause they’re really able to sell American culture.

W: Yeah. They use all the media they can, and they do a good job.

?

1.?????? They will probably eat a hamburger, some chicken McNuggets, and the shakes.

2.?????? McDonald’s is so successful because of its formula and diversity.

3.?????? You can always see similar menu items and the same high level of quality.

4.?????? McDonald’s is losing market share in the States now and has closed down some restaurants. Because there’re so many fast food chains in theU.S.that it’s difficult for McDonald’s to stay competitive.

5.?????? Because they’re able to sell American culture by using all the media they can.

Task 3: American Eating Habits

Eating habits inAmericareally get a lot of criticism. But the truth is, it matters much where inAmericayou look. In big cities, people are becoming more health-conscious every day. This is shown by what foods they choose to buy in supermarkets, and what restaurants they eat in. There is now a big push for “green” foods that are grown naturally. In cities like New York and Chicago, restaurants offer new and healthy styles to stay ahead of the competition. However, these habits contrast with those inAmerica’s heartland. Here, people tend to eat more traditional and higher fat foods, such as breakfasts of eggs, bacon, sausages, toast and other greasy, but delicious foods. Fast food chain restaurants such as McDonald’s and the Olive Garden, which serve cheaper food, draw a lot of customers and are popular in most places.

There are different eating habits acrossAmerica. In big cities, people have now become more health-conscious than ever. There is a big push for “green” foods that are grown naturally. In New York and other big cities, restaurants offer new and healthy styles to stay ahead of the competition. However, people inAmerica’s heartland are quite different. They often eat more traditional and higher fat foods. Fast food chain restaurants draw a lot of customers and are popular in most places.

Task 4: An Announcement

Have you ever dreamed of tasting your favorite McDonald’s foods for only one dollar, and then, adding something to your Extra Value Meal? Now your dream can come true with McDonald’s Dollar Menu. Great choices. Every day here at McDonald’s. Look for these and more: Salad, Double Cheeseburger, Fries, McChicken Sandwiches, Snack Fruits, Soft Drinks, and Pies. Have a great meal!

IV. Speaking Out

Now Your Turn

James: Hey, Lisa! The physics exam is over at last! What’re you planning to do this weekend?

Lisa:? Oh, nothing special. You got any good ideas?

James: We haven’t had a party for ages. How about having a pot-luck supper Saturday evening? Each of us can contribute something. We’ll have a good time.

Lisa:? Good idea! And who do you think we should invite?

James: The whole class, of course. The more the merrier.

Lisa:? Terrific!

Model 2 What do you recommend?

Now Your Turn

Waitress:??? Here’s the menu.

Jennifer:??? Thanks. Chris, let’s have fried noodles for a change, shall we?

Christopher: That sounds good, but it’s not satisfying with only noodles.

Jennifer:??? Waitress, what do you recommend?

Waitress:??? How about seafood with fried noodles and vegetables?

Christopher: Good. I like seafood.

Jennifer:??? Same here.

Model 3 It’s easier said than done!

Now Your Turn

Sarah: Hi, Jim! You look pale. What’s wrong?

James: Well, yesterday I had a huge steak for supper. At night I had a terrible stomachache.

Sarah: You shouldn’t have eaten that much. How’re you feeling now?

James: Better than I was. But I guess I won’t be able to look a cow in the eye for a while.

Sarah: Take my advice! If you eat regular meals, you won’t feel so bad.

James: It’s easier said than done. Steak is my favorite.

V. Let’s Talk

Jane: I’m from the Students Union. We’re doing a survey of students’ eating habits. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?

Jim: Will it take long?

Jane: No, not really. Fie minutes maybe? There aren’t all that many questions.

Jim: And what’s it for exactly?

Jane: Well, we want to get an idea of the sort of things students eat on a regular basis, and to find out how aware people are about diet and nutrition and those matters. The intention is to produce an information leaflet about healthy eating.

Jim: Yeah, I suppose something like that would be quite useful. Anyway, what do you want to know, exactly?

Jane: OK, first question. What would you say your favorite food is?

Jim: That’s easy. Hamburgers and fries. Lots of fries1 I must say I like a nice Chinese meal as well.

Jane: Mmm. You’re getting into some bad habits there. How many meals do you have a day? I mean sit-down meals, not snacks.

Jim: Well, I nearly always oversleep. I usually skip breakfast altogether. And I’d probably just have a chocolate bar for lunch. So I don’t sit down to a meal till evening.

Jane: OK. Typical student, I suppose. And how about fresh fruit? Is it important in your diet?

Jim: Nah, not really. I know it’s bad, but…I’m just not in the habit really. I suppose I might eat an apple once in a while.

1. Hamburgers??? fries

2. Chinese

3. cabbage

4. skipped

5. chocolate

6. sit-down

7. fruit

For Reference

A

A, suggest vegetables and fruit to your partner.

? You’re gaining weight soon. I think you should take more green vegetables and fruit.

B, say you love meat the best.

? Don’t mention egetables or fruit. Meat is my favorite. I love it, so does my stomach.

A, give your warning of eating fat.

? Listen, you’ll suffer from eating too much fat.

B, say you know the importance of a balanced diet but just cannot change your eating habit.

??Man, I know a balanced diet is important. But I just can’t change my eating habit.
A, stress the importance of a good diet again.

? Well, I don’t think you’ve ever tried to change it. You know, good diet means good health.

B, show your impatience.

? I knooooow, nutritionist

B

A, ask the American friend about the Chinese food.

? Hi, Tony, how would you like these Chinese food, tofu and steamed fish?

B, you find the food tastes strange.

? Well, it tastes…sort of strange. We don’t have stuffs cooked like this.

A, ask what the Americans eat.

? So what do you usually have inAmerica?

B, tell what the Americans typically eat and invite A to McDonald’s next time.

? Er, a typical lunch may consist of a burger or sandwish, a vegetable or fruit salad, a dessert, and a coke or coffee. Nect time I would invite you to a fast food meal at McDonald’s and tell you more about American food.

A, say what you fell about B’s words.

??Oh, that’s really different from ours.

VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking

Task 1: Foods in the World

Food is national and international. Many people like their own national dishes and a variety of foreign ones. You can find European and Oriental restaurants on most large cities. You can find Italian, French, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants in New York, Washington, San Francisco, and many other cities in theUnited States. As well, you might also find Greek and Middle Eastern restaurants in some cities in theUS. American hamburgers and hot dogs are popular in Tokyo and Paris. In almost every country you will find rice, potatoes, eggs, bread, soup, meat, vegetables, milk, fruit, and other basic foods. People all over cook them differently in different countries. People all over the world also prefer different things to drink. The English drink a lot of tea, and the French a lot of wine. Americans prefer coffee, milk or pop. German beer is now completely international. Children are often very conservative about new foods. In theUnited Statesthey often prefer to eat the same three or four favorite dishes: hamburgers and French fires, hot dogs, fried chicken, and ice cream.

1. national??? international

2. national dishes???????? foreign ones.

3. hamburgers????? hotdogs?????? Paris

4. tea?? coffee?? milk?? pop

5. children?? three or four? hamburgers?? fried chicken

Task 2: GM Foods

The term GM foods refers to those produced with the latest genetic engineering techniques. In 2000, countries that grew 99% of the global GM crops were theUnited States,Argentina,Canada, andChina. The next decade will see rapid development in Gm products. Gm foods may solve many of the world’s hunger problems, and help protect environment. Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of human and environmental safety, labeling and consumer choice, ethics, food security, regulation and international policy. Many people feel that genetic engineering is inevitable and that such a technology should be put to use. However, others warn that we must take care to avoid causing unintentional harm to both human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.

1. F?? 2.F?? 3.T?? 4.F?? 5.F

Task 3: Hunger

I have known bread hunger,

Yet have I strength.

I have known heart hunger,

Yet do I live.

I have known soul hunger,

And faith is not dead.

?

When the body cried,

I lit love in my heart.

When the heart wept,

I lit a lamp in my soul.

Yet all the while,

I heard life asking its goal.

I was alone looking out of a house,

Knowing the empty rooms.