Food andEating Out
Countable/uncountable nouns · ordering food · A2 Key skills
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? First timed mock — every Reading part from M01–09 returns here.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
What's your favourite meal? Tell your partner what's in it.
Can you say 'two rices'? Why not? What about 'two apples'?
What do you say to a waiter when you want to order food?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minCountable and uncountable nouns: some / any / would like
Countable nouns have a plural (an apple/two apples). Uncountable nouns don't (rice, water, information). Use some in positive sentences and offers, any in questions and negatives.
- 1Countable nouns can be counted: one egg, two eggs, three tomatoes.
- 2Uncountable nouns can't be counted directly: rice, bread, water, milk, information, money.
- 3We say a piece of bread or a bottle of water to count them.
- 4Some is used in positive sentences and polite offers/requests (Would you like some coffee?).
- 5Any is used in questions and negatives (Is there any milk? / There isn't any milk.).
- 6I'd like… is the polite way to ask for or order something.
Could I have some water, please?
Is there any bread left?
I'd like a coffee and a piece of cake, please.
There aren't any tables free right now.
Question 1.Is there ____ milk in the fridge?
Question 2.I'd like ____ tea, please.
Question 3.We haven't got ____ eggs left.
Question 4.Could I have ____ apple, please?
Question 5.How ____ rice do you want?
Question 6.There are ____ chairs by the window.
Quick check 1.Which noun is uncountable?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
measuring uncountable nouns
Say 'a piece of…' and 'a bottle of…' with a food/drink.
What to do
Match each restaurant phrase with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
What to do
Sort each food word into the correct group.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use the restaurant phrases in real exchanges.
Ask your partner
- Order a three-course meal using 'I'd like…' three times.
- Ask a partner for the bill.
Rank these foods from most to least healthy.
- 1salad
- 2pizza
- 3fruit
- 4chips
Then compare with a partner — justify your top choice.
Write a short note booking a table for a birthday dinner.
What to do
- 1.Five people want to eat out this week.
- 2.Match each person to the best of the eight restaurants.
- 3.There are THREE restaurants you don't need.
Tap a person, then tap the text that best matches their needs.
The 5 people
The 8 texts
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minPolite request intonation
Requests with Could I…? rise gently at the end — this sounds polite, not sharp.
- • Could I have the menu, please? (rising)
- • I'd like a coffee, please. (soft, polite)
- • Is there any bread left? (rising)
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minA birthday dinner
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Last Friday was my sister's birthday, so we booked a table at a small Italian restaurant near her flat. There were eight of us, so we called two days before to make sure they had space.
When we arrived, the waiter showed us to a long table near the window. We ordered some bread and olives to start, then everyone chose their main course. I had pasta with tomato sauce, and my sister had a pizza with lots of cheese. There wasn't any spicy food on the menu, which was good because two of us don't like spicy things.
For dessert, the restaurant brought out a small cake with a candle, and everyone sang happy birthday. My sister said it was one of the best evenings she'd had in a long time. The bill was quite high because there were so many of us, but nobody minded — it was worth it.
Question 1.Why did they call the restaurant two days early?
Question 2.What did the writer order?
Question 3.Why was it good that there wasn't spicy food?
Question 4.What happened at the end of the meal?
Question 5.How did the writer's sister feel about the evening?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minBooking a table at Bellissimo
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Waiter:Bellissimo restaurant, good evening.
Customer:Hi, I'd like to book a table for Saturday evening, please.
Waiter:Of course. How many people?
Customer:Six people, please.
Waiter:And what time would you like?
Customer:Eight o'clock, if possible.
Waiter:That's fine. Can I have your name?
Customer:Yes, it's Daniel Cooper.
Waiter:Great, and is there anything special we should know? Any allergies?
Customer:Yes, one person can't eat nuts.
Question 1.How many people are in the booking?
Question 2.What time is the table booked for?
Question 3.What special information does the customer give?
Question 4.What is the customer's name?
Question 5.Which day is the table booked for?
What to do
- 1.Listen to a phone call booking a table.
- 2.Complete the notes with ONE word or a number.
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Restaurant booking
Booking formBooking ref: 3391
- Day:
- Number of people:
- Time:o'clock
- Name:
- Allergy:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minBooking a table: catching key facts
Listen for the number, the time, and the name — they are usually said clearly, once each.
Task
Follow a phone booking and write down only the facts you need: number, time, name, special request.
Example
Six people, please. Eight o'clock, if possible. → Number: 6, Time: 8 o'clock.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Type ONE word: 'Is there ____ milk in the fridge?'
Q2.Type ONE word: 'I'd like ____ tea, please.'
Q3.Type ONE word: 'How ____ does the pizza cost?'
Write a short message to a friend (25+ words). Invite them to eat out on Saturday. Say what food you like, suggest a time, and ask them to reply.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi Ana! Do you want to have dinner on Saturday? I really like Italian food, so maybe we can go to the new pasta place near the station. Is 7 o'clock okay for you? Please text me back. See you soon!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
What to do
- 1.Read the email from your friend Jo.
- 2.Write a reply, covering all the notes.
Hi! Do you want to have dinner on Saturday? Let me know what kind of food you like, what time is good for you, and if there's anything you can't eat. See you soon, Jo
Your reply must cover:
- Say what kind of food you like
- Suggest a time
- Say if there's food you can't eat
Show model answer
Hi Jo! Dinner on Saturday sounds great. I really like Italian food, so maybe pizza or pasta? Is 7 o'clock okay for you? Also, I can't eat nuts, so please choose somewhere without a lot of nuts on the menu. Can't wait to see you! Best, Sam
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Talk with a partner: What food do you usually eat at home? Where do you like eating out, and why?
Useful phrases
What to do
- 1.Complete the missing lines in this restaurant conversation.
- 2.Choose the best phrase.
- WaiterGood evening. Do you have a booking?
- Customer_______________
- WaiterThis way, please. Here's the menu.
- Customer_______________
- WaiterAre you ready to order?
- Customer_______________
What to do
Describe the photo for about a minute.
Candidate A — At a café
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • What are the people doing?
- • What do you think they are eating?
- • Do you like eating outside? Why / why not?
Candidate B — At a market
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • What food can you see in the picture?
- • Do you like shopping at markets?
- • How often do you buy fresh food?
Useful phrases
- • I can see…
- • In the picture there are…
- • They look like they're…
- • I think…
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra restaurant language practice. ~30 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Countable/uncountable check — sort 10 food words at home and write one sentence with 'some' and one with 'any'.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Words
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Write an email (25+ words) inviting a friend for dinner, covering food, time and any allergy.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Roleplay practice — write out a short restaurant roleplay (waiter + customer) with at least 4 lines each.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Useful language
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Countable nouns have a plural; uncountable nouns don't.
- Use 'some' in offers and positives, 'any' in questions and negatives.
- 'I'd like…' and 'Could I have…?' are polite ways to order.
- Listen for number, time and name when booking.
- Rising intonation makes requests sound polite.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameDetail, gaps and cohesion
Practise this exam skill
How to attack each paper
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Habits vs right now
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