Food. Past simple/Past continuous

Reading. Food.

1.Read the story and choose the best title a, b or c.

to cross out                                         викреслювати

to have second thoughts (about)       відчувати сумніви

to rot                                                   гнити

dizzy                                                 запаморочення

a. The Market in Singapore

b. A Strange Fruit.

c. Afraid of New Experiences

  A few years ago, I was working in Singapore. During my first week there, while I was travelling on the underground, I saw a strange sign saying ‘NO DURIANS’ with a picture of a crossed out fruit. 1 wondered why they were forbidden. It wasn’t until later that I found out that they smell really, really bad but they’re very tasty and healthy. For this reason, many people in Southeast Asia eat them. I was very curious and decided to try for myself.

  As I was walking through a market place, a very strong smell hit me. It smelt like someone had left some onions and other vegetables to rot. However, I realised that I was standing next to a stall selling durians. ‘I’d like to try a bit of durian,’ I told the merchant and he said with a smile,‘ At your own riskl’ He then took a durian from a box, cut it in half with a large knife and then cut a piece of the fruit.

 When he handed it to me, I started having second thoughts. ‘What does it taste like?’ l wondered. As I was raising the fruit to my lips, I suddenly felt sick and a bit dizzy, but I began to eat.

  The durian was thick and creamy like butter and had a fresh and sweet taste. As soon as I finished eating the piece, the merchant offered me some more. I actually finished the fruit. The man looked at me for a ‘Yummy! That was tasty!’ I said, so the merchant put three in a bag for me to take home. Unfortunately, I had to walk all the way, because I wasn’t allowed on the underground.

2. Read again and write True, False or NM (Not Mentioned).

1. The writer saw durians in an advertisement for the first time.

2. In Singapore, they sell durians only in markets.

3. The writer thought the strong smell was rotten food.

4. The writer cut the durian, then ate a piece.

5. The merchant served the fruit with some cream and butter.

6. The writer enjoyed the durian and wanted some more.

3. Complete the text with the Past Simple or the Past Progressive of the verbs in brackets.

  I (2) __ (watch) a DVD when my sister ____   (walk) into the house with a paper bag. There were snails in it! She (3) _________(want) to make something different for dinner. She (4) ___________(leave) the bag on the table, (5) ______________ (open) the fridge and (6) _____________(start) taking out some vegetables. ‘You’re going to love this!’ she (7) _____________(say). As she (8) __________ (take) the vegetables out of the fridge, some of the snails (9)______________ (get) out of the bag. As soon as I (10) ______________ (see) them, I

(11) ______________ (begin) shouting: They’re moving! They’re alive!’ and my sister (12) ______________ (answer): ‘Of course, they are. That’s how you cook them!’

KEY 1.b

         2. F 2. NM 3. T 4. F 5. F 6. T

         3. 1. was watching 7. said 2. walked 8. was taking 3. wanted 9. got 4. left 10. saw 5. opened 11. began 6. started 12. answered