Now let’s talk about food. What can you tell me about eating habits in Belarus?

Modern Belarusian cookery is based on old national traditions which have undergone a long historical evolution.

Common in Belarusian cuisine were dishes from potato which is called among people "the second bread".

Potato is included into many salads, it is served together with mushrooms, meat; baked puddings are made from it. The most popular among the Belarusians are traditional draniki, thick pancakes, prepared from shredded potatoes.

A lot of place in the diet of the Belarusians belongs to meat and meat products, especially to the pork and salted pork fat.

The salted pork fat is used slightly smoked and seasoned with onions and garlic.

Dishes prepared from meat are usually served together with potatoes or vegetables such as carrot, cabbage, black radish, peas, etc. It is characteristic that many vegetable and meat dishes are prepared in special stoneware pots.

The choice Belarusian food are fresh, dried, salted and pickled mushrooms, and also berries such as bilberry, wild strawberries, red whortlberry, raspberries, cranberry and some others.

Do you personally follow the rules of a healthy way of life? Why (not)?

Yes,I do. I do morning exercises every day, do sports, choose what I eat more carefully. I eat only a well-balanced diet: more fruits and vegetables. It’s very important to be healthy and in a good shape.

What questions can you ask me about my eating habits?

- Do you like fast food?

- How many times a day do you have a meal?

- What do you have for breakfast?

- What’s your favourite dish?

Which national dishes can you recommend a tourist to taste in Belarus?

Of course, draniki (potato pancakes). They are made from grated potatoes with the juices, flour, eggs, soda and salt. All ingredients are mixed together, pancakes are formed from the batter and then fried.

Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but teenagers can’t stop eating it. What do you think about it?

I think that fast food can be a delicious killer because it can lead to health problems. Fast food is simply tasty, ready-cooked meals packed to go.

Eating too much fast food is bad for your health because fast food contains more calories, more unhealthy fat, and more salt. It has a lot of additives, artificial colours and flavourings. It can can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, weakness of your immune systemand coronary heart diseases.

№12

1. Now let’s talk about national cuisine of an English-speaking country. What do you know about eating habits in Britain?

2. Do you like cooking? Why (not)?

3. What questions can you ask a British friend about his eating habits?

4. Which national dishes can you recommend me to taste in Britain?

5. Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but English people go on eating it. What do you think about it?

Now let’s talk about national cuisine of an English-speaking country. What do you know about eating habits in Britain?

In Britain, people often eat cereals such as cornflakes with milk for breakfast. Some people like to have toast with marmalade or jam, and they drink a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of orange juice. On cold days, some people like to have porridge for breakfast. Baked beans are a favourite food of many children in Britain. Afternoon tea is traditionally a formal meal where they drink tea and eat small sandwiches (especially cucumber sandwiches), cakes.

Some people criticize English food. They say it’s unimaginable, boring, tasteless, it’s chips with everything and totally overcooked vegetables. If you ask foreigners to name some typically English dishes, they will probably say “Fish and chips” then stop. It is disappointing, but true that, there is no tradition in England of eating in restaurants, because the food doesn’t lend itself to such preparation. English cooking is found at home. So it is difficult to find a good English restaurant with reasonable prices. In most cities in Britain you’ll find Indian, Chinese, French and Italian restaurants. In London you’ll also find Indonesian, Mexican, Greek… Cynics will say that this is because English have no “cuisine” themselves, but this is not quite the true. Everyone knows that tea is the most popular drink in Britain. It’s even more popular than coffee, which is favoured throughout Europe and America.

Do you like cooking? Why (not)?

Maybe yes. But it doesn’t happen very often because I’m very busy now. If I have a chance to spend time cooking I prefer to cook some special and tasty things: pizza, pancakes, stuffed cabbage, chops, roast chicken, hot pot (тушёное мясо с картофелем, овощами), biscuits and what not.

No. I don’t like cooking. I think it’s boring. My mum does it better. I only help her by cooking.

What questions can you ask a British friend about his eating habits?

- What meals do you usually have?

- How many times a day do you have a meal?

- What do you have for breakfast?

- What’s your favourite dish?

Which national dishes can you recommend me  to taste in Britain?

I think you should taste a pudding. There are hundreds of variations of sweet puddings in Britain, but each pudding begins with the same basic ingredients of milk, sugar, eggs, flour and butter and many involve fresh fruit such as raspberries or strawberries, custard, cream, and cakes.

Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but English people go on eating it. What do you think about it?

I think that fast food can be a delicious killer because it can lead to health problems. Fast food is simply tasty, ready-cooked meals packed to go.

Eating too much fast food is bad for your health because fast food contains more calories, more unhealthy fat, and more salt. It has a lot of additives, artificial colours and flavourings. It can can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, weakness of your immune system and coronary heart diseases.

№13

1. Let’s talk about shopping. Who does the shopping in your family?

2. Do you like shopping? Why (not)?

3. What questions can you ask your friend about the best shopping places in his/ her native city?

4. What can you advise a teenager who wants to buy a birthday present for his/ her friend?

5. Parents usually give pocket money to their children. But some people think they shouldn’t do it as teenagers don’t work. What do you think about it?

Let’s talk about shopping. Who does the shopping in your family?

My parents do most of the shopping in our family. They usually drive to the supermarket where they buy all the food we need for our family. They usually do it once a week. As for me, I like window-shopping. And if something catches my eye and is good enough I just have to buy it. My favourite buy was jeans. I like them because they make me look nice.

Sometimes shopping is a kind of pastime and even entertainment for me and my mother. We can spend hours walking from one shop to another in search of something special.

Do you like shopping? Why (not)?

Some people hate shopping. Others make a hobby of shopping tours. Like most girls I like shopping. I like to do my shopping at big supermarkets because you can buy everything you like there. They sell various goods under one roof and it is very convenient.. I can say that our shops are becoming more and more European-like.

Like most boys I hate shopping. I think it’s boring and a waste of time.