English for Beginners: Food & Drinks
Dialogue
Alice: Oh, hi Bob! Just thinking about food. My stomach is rumbling!
Bob: Alice, I’m so glad you said that! My stomach sounds like a grumpy bear. What’s for lunch?
Alice: Hmm, how about a sandwich? Or maybe a salad?
Bob: A salad? Alice, I’m too hungry for leaves! Do we have any pizza? I love pizza!
Alice: Haha, I figured! Yes, I think there’s some leftover pizza. How many slices do you want?
Bob: Two! No, wait, three! Make it four! My bear is very hungry.
Alice: Four slices? Bob, are you sure? You’ll turn into a pizza!
Bob: (Mouth full) Maybe I want to be a pizza! What about drinks? Do we have juice?
Alice: We have orange juice and water. Or milk if you prefer.
Bob: Orange juice sounds great! And a big glass, please.
Alice: Okay, one very large orange juice coming up. Are you going to eat all four slices by yourself?
Bob: Of course! And maybe a cookie for dessert. Do we have cookies?
Alice: We do! But maybe just one. Don’t want you to explode before dinner!
Bob: Sounds like a plan! This is the best lunch ever, Alice. Thank you!
Alice: You’re welcome, Bob! Enjoy your pizza mountain.
Current Situation
Learning basic English vocabulary for food and drinks is super useful! Whether you’re traveling, ordering at a restaurant, or just chatting with English speakers, knowing how to talk about what you eat and drink is essential. This dialogue shows how to ask what’s available, express your preferences, and even ask for specific quantities of food and beverages. It’s a great way to start your English journey with something delicious!
Key Phrases
- My stomach is rumbling!: My stomach is making noise because I’m hungry.
- Example: “I haven’t eaten all day. My stomach is rumbling!”
- What’s for lunch/dinner?: What food are we going to eat for this meal?
- Example: “I’m hungry. What’s for dinner tonight?”
- How about…?: A way to suggest something.
- Example: “It’s hot. How about some ice cream?”
- I love [food]!: Expressing a strong liking for a food.
- Example: “I love chocolate! It’s my favorite.”
- Do we have any…?: Asking if something is available.
- Example: “Do we have any coffee?”
- How many…?: Asking about the quantity of countable items.
- Example: “How many apples do you want?”
- What about drinks?: Asking about beverage options.
- Example: “We have food, but what about drinks?”
- Sounds great! / Sounds like a plan!: Agreeing with a suggestion.
- Example: “Let’s go to the park.” “Sounds great!”
- You’re welcome.: A polite response when someone thanks you.
- Example: “Thank you for the help.” “You’re welcome.”
Grammar Points
- Asking Questions (Wh- & Yes/No):
We use words like What, How to ask for specific information. For questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, we often start with ‘Do’ or ‘Are’.
- What’s for lunch? (What is for lunch?)
- How about a sandwich? (Suggesting, like “Would you like a sandwich?”)
- Do we have any pizza? (Yes/No question)
- How many slices do you want? (Asking about quantity)
- Expressing Preferences:
You can clearly state what you like or don’t like.
- I love pizza! (Strong positive feeling)
- Orange juice sounds great! (Positive reaction to a suggestion)
- Or milk if you prefer. (Offering an alternative choice)
- Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns (Basic):
Some things you can count (like apples), and some you can’t easily count individually (like water).
- Countable Nouns: You can use numbers with them and they have plural forms.
Examples: a sandwich, two slices (of pizza), a cookie, four cookies.
We use “How many?” for countable nouns. - Uncountable Nouns: You can’t usually count them individually. We often use words like “some” or specific units of measurement.
Examples: pizza (as a general food, not slices), juice, water, milk.
We use “How much?” for uncountable nouns (though “Do we have any…?” is common too).
- Countable Nouns: You can use numbers with them and they have plural forms.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using words from the dialogue or common food/drink vocabulary.
- I’m so ______! I want some food.
- ______ about an apple for a snack?
- Do we have any ______ juice?
- I ______ pizza! It’s my favorite food.
- ______ many cookies do you want?
Exercise 2: Match the Question to the Answer
Draw a line or write the letter next to the correct answer.
- What’s for dinner?
- Do you like coffee?
- How many sandwiches do you want?
- What about drinks?
- Thank you!
- Yes, I love it!
- We have water and tea.
- Just one, please.
- You’re welcome.
- Chicken and rice.
Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue
Fill in the missing parts of this short conversation.
Maya: I’m really thirsty! Do we have any ______?
Leo: Yes, we do! Here you go.
Maya: Thank you!
Leo: You’re ______.
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- I’m so hungry! I want some food.
- How about an apple for a snack?
- Do we have any orange juice?
- I love pizza! It’s my favorite food.
- How many cookies do you want?
Exercise 2: Match the Question to the Answer
- What’s for dinner? -> 5. Chicken and rice.
- Do you like coffee? -> 1. Yes, I love it!
- How many sandwiches do you want? -> 3. Just one, please.
- What about drinks? -> 2. We have water and tea.
- Thank you! -> 4. You’re welcome.
Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue
Maya: I’m really thirsty! Do we have any water?
Leo: Yes, we do! Here you go.
Maya: Thank you!
Leo: You’re welcome.
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