and explain how you would feel about the meal.

Sample Answer 1

Grilled oysters with Kerala spices is a special meal that I would like to have in the near future. I have always been fascinated about it since I first saw them in the Dulquer Salmaan movie named ‘Ustaad Hotel’ on television. The pace at which he makes it has really touched my tastebuds. Since then, I have watched the grilled oysters being served in several Hollywood movies, which awoke my curiosity about it.  

The eagerness to have a taste of it has made me search for it on various search engines. I even found several youtube videos on how to make it, mostly by Europeans, but only the grilled oysters. I know it’s a European dish, mainly grilled oysters, but even then, I tried to search for hotels serving this particular dish. Unfortunately, no hotels nearby have been serving these delicacies at present. 

I hope in the future, I can have a taste of it and thus I can attain this dream of having this special meal into a big reality. I don’t care if it tastes good or bad, but to have it served before me and to have it with my friends, most probably in a western country, is all I need and I think it can happen soon.  

Sample Answer 2

Being a food fanatic, I love home-cooked food, but I’m also open to trying out new flavors and food items. I’ve always been curious to explore new flavors, whether it’s on crowded streets or in a dingy-themed prison cell restaurant. I love relishing food at different places.

So, a few weeks ago, there was a lot of buzz and hype about a hanging restaurant in my city that allows diners to eat a delectable meal while suspended in the air. As an adventure seeker, I was intrigued by the concept of sky dining, since who wouldn’t want to eat delicious food while watching the panoramic views with a pinch of adventure and adrenaline to their dining experience. It might definitely feel like mild paragliding or flying in the air. Furthermore, the hanging restaurant offered a wide range of cuisines.

So, I’ve planned to visit the hanging restaurant and experience adventurous dining along with my pals by the end of this month. Since it has a special corner for Japanese foods, I’m looking forward to eating the yummy kaiseki, mouth-watering sushi, hot & spicy ramen, and the crispy Tempura. Well, I’ve been yearning for Japanese food for a long time, and treating myself to my favorite food while hanging in the air with a breathtaking view below is absolutely worth experiencing. I’m sure the flying-dining experience will leave me spellbound.

Vocabulary

• Savor

Meaning: taste (good food or drink) and enjoy it to the full
Eg: Joey savored the tempura.

• Intrigued

Meaning: arouse the curiosity or interest of; fascinate.
Eg: the teacher’s question intrigued the students

• Hype

Meaning: extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion
Eg: The netizens were hyped about the launch of the movie.

• Pals

Meaning: friend
Eg: One of my pals got married to an NRI.

• Spellbound

Meaning: hold the complete attention of (someone) as though by magic; fascinate.
Eg: I was spellbound to see Niagara Falls.

Part 3 Follow Up Questions

Question: Do meals have any special meanings in your culture?

Meals, in my opinion, have no special significance in any culture. However, food is frequently regarded as a means of preserving a people’s cultural identity. People from different cultures eat a variety of foods around the world. Food or meals (a portion of food) are hence an important aspect of cultural legacy and national identity.

Question: Do meals change from one region to another in your country?

Yes, each region in my country has different types of food. Each culture has its own set of ingredients, preparation procedures, and cooking styles. Honestly, each region in my country has its unique delicacy. For instance, South Indian cuisine is a blend of natural spices and rice flour preparations, whereas North Indian cuisine features a wide range of bread, rice, and vegetable preparations.

Question: Do you think eating habits have changed? In what ways?

Yes, people’s eating habits have altered substantially due to the changing environment. The diets of millennials have become unrecognizable from those of their ancestors. Earlier, people consumed food items without question, but now, everyone tends to go through information about the nutritional components and quantity of the food item. As a result, people’s attitudes towards food have altered how they shop, cook, and dine.

Question: Do you think what we eat is healthy?

I don’t really know whether the food I eat is healthy or not because I tend to overlook all these details while I’m indulging in my food. However, others prefer eating food items high in sources of vitamins, carbohydrates, minerals, dietary fibre, protein, and antioxidants. Nowadays, most people prefer eating a healthy and well-balanced diet.

Question: Some people (vegetarians) choose not to eat meat. Why do you think they make that choice?

Vegetarians refrain from eating meat for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that they do not want animals to be slaughtered, killed, or harmed just for the sake of consumption. These people are also environmentally conscious. Consequently, they avoid consuming non-vegetarian foods. Apart from that, some vegetarians feel that consuming non-vegetarian food is a sin because it involves slaughtering animals.

Vocabulary

• Sin

Meaning: an act of breaking a religious law, or such acts considered together
Eg: Stealing is an act of sin in many religions.

• Refrain

Meaning: stop oneself from doing something
Eg: Jack’s mother refrained him from meeting his notorious friends.

• Overlook

Meaning: fail to notice
Eg: The teacher overlooked the student’s mistake.

• Legacy

Meaning: an amount of money or property left to someone in a will.
Eg: Mike is living under his father’s legacy.

• Blend

Meaning: a mixture of different substances or other things
Eg: Sushi is a blend of cooked rice and half-cooked fish.