21世紀大學英語讀寫教程第一冊第十三單元unit13
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 the United States sold 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 beyond America’s borders. In 1996 McDonald’s owned over 7,000 restaurants in other countries, including: 1,482 in Japan; 430 in France; 63 in China; and so on. McDonald’s has also recognized some cultural differences. In Germany, for example, the outlets sell beer, in France they sell wine and beer, and in Saudi Arabia they 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 in China. 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 the U.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 in America really get a lot of criticism. But the truth is, it matters much where in America you 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 in America’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 across America. 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 in America’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&nbs
