How to Lay the Table

I like to lay the table carefully (тщательно), especially when we have an important guest to dinner. First, I spread the table-cloth (скатерть) and then I put out table-mats (подставка под блюдо) to protect the table from hot plates and dishes - a small mat for each guest and larger ones for the hot dishes. I take out of the drawer (ящик) in the sideboard (сервант, буфет) all the cutlery (ножи и вилки), which I clean and polish every week. A fish knife and fork for the fish, a large knife and fork for the meat, a small knife for the butter, and a fruit-knife for the dessert. Then there is a pudding-spoon and a fork for the sweet, and a soup-spoon for the soup.

I put the knives and the soup-spoon on the right-hand side and the forks on the left, except the pudding spoon and fork, which I put across the top.

Then I put out the serving-spoons and forks. The carving knife and fork (большие нож и вилка), the bread-board and a knife to cut the bread, and my husband sharpens (точить) the carving-knife, as he knows I hate a blunt (тупой) one.

On the left of each guest I put a small plate for bread and on his right a wine-glass if we are having wine, and in the middle of the table I put a jug of water with a few pieces of ice from the fridge in it. Then I put out the table-napkins (салфетки) for each guest, put the tea-cups and saucers (блюдца), with cream and brown sugar and tea-spoons on the tray (поднос), and I am ready for the guests to come in.

salt cellar, pepper box, napkin, water jug, butter dish, sugar basin, mustard pot, tablecloth, salad bowl, place card, fork, knife, spoon.

Ex. 17. When you want to invite a person to go somewhere or do something, say: Would you like to...? Example: Would you like to go the theatre this evening? Now make invitations using the following information:

a) have, dinner, my family, tomorrow night;

b) drink, coffee, us, bar, at 2 o'clock;

c) have, snack, McDonalds, together;

d) meet, us, drinks, cocktail bar, hotel, 10 p.m.;

e) go, restaurant, Chinese cuisine.

Ex. 18. When you accept an invitation, say: Thanks, I'd love to. If you want to decline it, you must be polite and to give a reason. Example: Thank you, but I'm afraid I can't. I have a prior engagement. Now accept or decline an invitation.

a) How about a drink at the hotel this evening?

b) The director would like to invite you to dinner at the country club on Sunday. (You are leaving on Friday).

c) Can you join us for a barbecue tomorrow evening? (You are not feeling well).

d) Would you like to meet us to have dinner at the hotel bar?

e) We are going to a picnic on Sunday. Will you join us?

Ex. 19. Which nationalities do you think go with the following foods? Here Is a list of nationalities. See if you can match them to the food in the list below.

Italian French Spanish German Brazilian Chinese Swiss Indian Russian Scottish Japanese Irish Mexican Israeli Danish American Greek Swedish Portuguese Tunisian

1)__________ whisky;

2)____________ rice;

3)____________hamburgers;

4)___________sausage;

5)____________ice-cream;

6)____________ sardines;

7)____________oranges;

8)___________tomatoes;

9)____________ stew;

10)________bacon;

11)_________suki yaki;

12)______ wine:

13)________ chilli beans;

14)_________ coffee beans;

15) _________caviar;

16) ________dates;

17)_________smorgasbord;

18)_________chocolate;

19)________ olives;

20)_________curry.

Ex. 20. What do we say when:

1. You want to praise a dish? 2. You want some more of something offered at the table? 3. You want to propose somebody’s health? 4. You want your guest to put some food on their plates? 5. You don’t know what to order as a restaurant? 6. You are at the table and can’t reach a salt-cellar? 7. Don’t like the dish you are offered?

Ex. 21. Let’s discuss

1. Comment the picture.

2. What is a keep-fit programme?

3. Do you go in for sports? Why?

4. Do you agree or not with the following statements:

1. Exercise changes fat into muscles

2. Vitamin pills can give an extra burst of energy.

3. Dieting alone is enough for losing weight.

4. People who do not eat meat, fish and poultry are not healthy.

5. Laughter helps people keep fit.

6. Eating carrots is good for the eyes.

7. Fish is good for the brain.

8. Eating cheese at night makes you dream.

9. Garlic stops you getting cold.

10.Drinking coffee stops you sleeping.

11.Yogurt makes you healthy.

12.An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

13.Crusty bread makes your hair curl.

14.Brown eggs taste better than white ones.

15.A hot milky drink helps you go to sleep.

5. What is a pot-luck party? What are the advantages and disadvantages if any of a pot-luck party? What is a traditional party in a Russian family?