III. Post-Reading Reading Comprehension 1. Finding Food Taboos India Taboo Reasons cow 1. Cows help plow the fields. 2. Cow manure can be used as fertilizer. 3. Cow manure can be dried and burned to make a cooking fire. The States United dog 1. Dogs serve as companions for people. 2. Dogs serve as protection against thieves. 1. Pork cooked insufficiently may spread disease. 2. People did not want to stay in one place to raise pigs. Ancient Egypt pork & Israel 2. Understanding the Details 1) nutrition, religion, the ways of life of different people 2) butterflies, rats, termites 3) calories, protein 4) there is plenty of land for raising cattle and their meat can be shipped cheaply for long distances by railroads 5) they go wherever they want to in the streets; they can eat anything from the supplies of the foodsellers on the streets 3. Discussion Samples 1) Differences: ―People in Northern China like noodles, jiaozi, steamed rolls, etc., while people in Southern China prefer rice. ―People in Northern China eat a lot of Chinese cabbage (大白菜), while people in Southern China eat a lot of other vegetables. ―People in East China eat a lot of seafood, while people in West China eat a lot of beef and lamb. ―People in some provinces, such as Sichuan, Hunan and Hubei, like food that tastes hot, while people in some other places in Jiangsu and Zhejiang enjoy food that tastes a little bit sweet. Reasons: I think the differences are related to people’s tastes, the availability of foods, weather, soil and geographical conditions, etc. 2) ―When I see people eat things I don’t like, my first reaction is disgust. I just can’t understand how people can eat such nauseating things. Sometimes I feel that people are cruel when they eat some animals which are a help to human beings.
―I don’t mind what other people prefer eating. People can have different likes and dislikes in different aspects. Nowadays a variety of foods are available in most places of the country and people can have a good choice. Many of us even enjoy foods from other countries. But we have to think about our environment as well as health before eating. Sars has already taught us a good lesson in eating.
Vocabulary
1. 1) common 2) appropriate 3) forbidden 4) supplies 5) related 6) evidence 7) requires 8) raise 9) spread 10) sufficiently
2. 1) disgusting 2) habit 3) insects 4) reasonable 5)relatively 6) animals 7) harvested 8) grow 9) nearly 10) other 11) altogether 12) consumed 13) avoided 14) popular 15) offers 16) served 17) would 18) enjoyed 19) considered 20) reject
3. 1) G 2) F 3) B 4) C 5) H 6) E 7) I 8) D 9) A 10) J Translation
1. We regard him as one of the best players in the game.
2. The scientist picked up those little pieces of rock and carefully put them into a box. 3. The population of China is almost five times as large as that of the United States. 4. The reason why grass is green was once a mystery to the little boy. 5. She was standing by the window, apparently quite calm and relaxed. 6. Profits have declined as a result of the recent drop in sales. 7. She put on dark glasses as a protection against the strong light. 8. He could no longer be trusted after that incident.
Part Three Further Development
1. Jokes and Riddles about Food Task One
1) Pear. 2) Mushroom.
2. Food Proverbs
1) d: Half a loaf is better than none. 有一点总比没有好。
Meaning: Even if you have only a little, it is better than none at all. 2) e: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 布丁好坏，一尝便知。
Meaning: Something new can only be judged to be good or bad after it has been tried or used.
3) b: Too many cooks spoil the broth. 厨师多了烧坏汤。
Meaning: If there are too many people trying to do the same job at the same time, the job will not be done well.
4) f: One man’s meat is another man’s poison.甲之熊掌，乙之砒霜。 Meaning: Something that one person likes may not be liked by someone else. 5) g: You can’t have your cake and eat it too. 两者不可兼得。
Meaning: If you eat your cake, you can’t have it. In other words, one cannot have two good things at once.
6) c: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. 不要把一切希望寄托在一件事上。 Meaning: Don’t depend completely on one thing or one course of action in order to achieve success. Or one should try alternative ways.
7) A: It’s no use crying over spilt milk. 事后不要无益地后悔。
Meaning: It’s useless to waste time feeling sorry about an earlier mistake or problem that cannot be changed.
3. Preparing Food Task One Samples
1) Rice, tomato soup with eggs, some pineapple, roast chicken leg, baked beans, some apples.
2) Rice, onion with eggs (fried), tomato slices with sugar, potato crisps, some milk. 3) Roast potato, fried chicken leg, tuna, tomato soup with eggs, some pineapple. 4) Six boiled eggs, some milk, baked beans, tomato soup, some apples. 5) Rice, two omelets, some tuna, some pineapple, some yogurt.
4. Eating at Cassandra’s Task A: Phone Order Dialogue
Restaurant worker – Cassandra’s. May I help you? Betsy – Yes. I’d like to place an order to be picked up at 6:00. Worker – Do you have one of our menus? Betsy– Yes, I do.
Worker- Good. Do you have any questions, or are you ready to place your order? Betsy– I’m ready. I would like an order of fried chicken and an order of pork chops, both with baked potato. What is your soup of the day?
Worker –It’s chicken and rice soup.
Betsy– I don’t think I want that. I’ll have two side salads with blue cheese dressing. By the way, what is your vegetable of the day?
Worker – It’s steamed broccoli. Betsy– Good.
Worker– Would you care for dessert? You know we have great carrot cake and our chocolate excellence cake really lives up to its name.
Betsy – I’ll have a piece of chocolate cake. We’ve had it before, and the menu is right. It’s rich enough for two people to share.
Worker– Would you care for something to drink? Betsy– No, thanks. I have plenty of that at home.
Worker – Fine. Now let me check. You’d like orders of fried chicken and pork chops, both with baked potato, and side salads with blue cheese dressing. Also one piece of chocolate cake.
Betsy -- That’s right. I’ll be there at 6:00. You take credit cards, don’t you? Worker–Yes, we do. Betsy– Good. See you later. Worker– Thank you.
Task B: Restaurant Order Conversation
Mary: I’m glad we decided to drive across the river to celebrate our wedding anniversaries. I’ve heard great things about this restaurant, but we’ve never been here before.
Jane: I agree, and I really like the attractive dining area. Isn’t it beautifully decorated?
Hostess: Good evening! Do you have reservations for this evening?
Bob: Yes, we called and made reservations for a table for four at 7:00pm. The names are Brown and White.
Hostess: Certainly! I see your reservations here. I’m glad you made reservations ahead of time because we are very busy tonight. I’ll take you to your table. (The hostess seats the Browns and Whites at a comfortable corner table.) Your waiter tonight will be David.
Waiter: (Approaches the table with menus and warmly smiles and greets the Browns and Whites.) Hello, I’m David, your waiter for this evening. Here are menus for each of you. Would you like a little time to decide what to order for dinner?
Mary: Yes, that would be nice. Bob, I know that you and John said you’d like a nice steak tonight, but I really like the idea of Iowa pork chops.
Bob: Sure, and I think the Choice Sirloin steak looks good. How about you John? John: Choice Sirloin sounds good to me too.
Jane: I agree with Mary that grilled pork chops would be a good choice.
Waiter: And how would you gentlemen like your steaks cooked? The pork chops of course are grilled to medium-well over charcoal.
Bob: I know that both John and I would prefer our steaks medium rare.
Waiter: Now, would you like soups or side salads. You also have your choice of potato or rice. The vegetable this evening is stir-fried green-beans.
John: I’d like a side-salad with blue cheese, and the baked potato, and green beans. Bob: I’d prefer my salad with Italian dressing, and mashed potatoes and green beans.
Mary: What is the soup of the day?
Waiter: Tonight we have homemade vegetable soup.
Mary: That sounds good. I’ll have the soup, a baked potato and the green beans. Jane: I’d like to order exactly the same.
Waiter: I think I have it. Two medium rare Choice Sirloin steaks and side salads, one with blue cheese and a baked potato, the other with Italian dressing and mashed potatoes. Two grilled pork chop dinners for the ladies, both with soup and baked potatoes. I’ll bring the rolls and butter with your salads and soup. Would you care to order something to drink with the meal?
Bob: We can talk about something to drink later, but could we have some cool water with the meal?
Waiter: Of course. I’ll bring the water immediately, and you can decide later about any other drinks you might wish to order.
5. Places to Eat Samples
―I would invite some of my classmates to my home for a small birthday party. Compared with restaurants, homemade food is much cheaper, so it is relatively more acceptable to students, who don’t have regular incomes. Besides, celebrating my birthday in my house allows my friends and me to feel more comfortable and have more fun. For instance, we don’t have to hold down our voices and sit still at a table as we should act in a restaurant or in a school dining hall. At the same time, I can play some music or TV programs we like while we enjoy our meal. In a word, I consider my home the best place for a birthday celebration.
―I would like to invite my friends to a party at a fast food restaurant. Firstly, fast food restaurants such as KFC and McDonald’s are popular with young people. The youth feel completely relaxed at such restaurants, so it’s a good place for fun. Secondly, the restaurants themselves offer special birthday services. For instance, birthday cakes and candles are often provided by the restaurants. This usually adds to the joyful atmosphere of a birthday party. Thirdly, compared with one’s own homes, which are the first choice of many people, fast food restaurants are more convenient and cheaper to some extent.
―I prefer to go to a cafeteria. If I happen to invite one or more gluttons, it helps save a lot of trouble and money. Furthermore, nobody would regard me as a miser since we