The English names of the things we eat & drink with part 3 exercise

In the two previous exercises, you first learnt the English names of objects which people use to eat with and from. Then in the second exercise you learnt the English names for objects which are used to drink things with or from.

In this third part of three exercises on the English names of the things we eat and drink with, you'll learn and remember the names of the objects which are not specifically used to eat or drink with or from, but which you find used when eating food in a restaurant and also at home.

The vocabulary which you are going to learn and understand in this exercise are the following words/phrases: basket, tablecloth, place mat, coaster, table napkin, serviette and toothpick.

Click here to see more of our free online exercises on food, drink and restaurant vocabulary

Exercise:

In the following conversation, two friends (Peter and Juan) are eating at a restaurant. Peter is explaining to Juan the names in English for things that are typically found when eating in a restuarant.

From the context, try to guess what object the words in bold are. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.

Peter:'Do you want any bread with the food?'

Juan:'Yes, I would like some.'

Peter:'I'll ask the waiter to bring us some.'

Juan:'By the way, what do you call the thing which they normally put the bread in when you are eating in a restaurant?'

Peter:'Normally, they bring it in a basket and leave that on the table. But sometimes they may just leave a small piece of bread on the table, next to your plate.'

Juan:'Ok. What do you call the thing that covers the actual table? Normally, it is white and it's made from cotton.'

Peter:'That is called a tablecloth. It not only makes the table look nicer, but it is also there to protect the actual table from getting damaged or dirty.'

Juan:'I have seen in some restaurants that they use something else to protect the table, not a tablecloth, but a rectangular or circular piece of plastic directly in front of the person eating on the table which the waiter places their plates of food on.'

Peter:'That is called a place mat and one goes in front of each person eating. There is also something which you don't see in restaurant tables, but in bars, pubs or in people's homes which are used to protect tables from getting damaged by drinks. They are called coasters and are a lot smaller than place mats.'

Juan:'Talking about protection from getting dirty, what do you call the thing made from material, like a tablecloth, which you find on the table when you first sit down and which people then put on their laps while eating to stop food from landing on their trousers or skirt.'

Peter:'That's called a table napkin. Some people don't know that they are used to cover their legs and instead use them to clean their hands with. They should use a serviette to do that, pieces of paper which you will always find on the table.'

Juan:'I have to admit that I used to do that, but now I know what a table napkin is for.'

Peter:'It's good to know that you do if you are eating with me.'

Juan:'I don't know why but I always get food stuck in my teeth when I am eating. What do you call the small thin wooden sticks which you use to get it out with?'

Peter:'In English we call them toothpicks. I will tell you if you have any food in your teeth and we'll ask the waiter to bring you a toothpick.'

Juan:'Thank you Peter.'

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Quiz:

Below is a photo/picture of each of the words in bold from the above text. Now choose the word from the question's selection box which you believe matches the photo/picture. Only use one word once. Click on the "Check answers" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.

When the answer is correct, two icons will appear next to the question which you can press/click on. In the first icon, , you can find extra information about the word/phrase (e.g. when, where and how to use etc...). In the second, , is where you can listen to the word/phrase.

1. office exercise photo

These are called

Toothpicks:
(noun) A 'toothpick'is a thin wooden stick which people use to remove food if it is stuck in their tooth.

Toothpicks:

2. office exercise photo

The object which the cup is sat on, are called

Coasters:
(noun) A 'coaster' is a small cardboard or plastic object which is used to place a drink on so it doesn't dirty or damage the table or surface it is on. In pubs and bars these are not normally called 'coasters', but 'beer mats' instead.

Coasters:

3. office exercise photo

This is called a

Tablecloth:
(noun) A 'tablecloth' is a big piece of material (it could be made from cotton or from plastic) which is used to cover the whole table with. It is used not only to make the table look nice, but to also stop the table from both getting dirty or damaged when eating and drinking on it.

Tablecloth:

4. office exercise photo

These are examples of what is called a

Serviette:
(noun) A 'serviette' is the name of the rectangular or square paper which people use to clean their hands or mouth with. 'Serviette' is the name which is used in Britain for this, however, in other parts of the English speaking world (e.g. America) they often call it a 'paper napkin' or just 'napkin' instead.

Serviette:

5. office exercise photo

The object which the plate and cutlery is sat on, is called a

Place mat:
(noun) A 'place mat' is the name for the rectangular or circular piece of plastic (although it can be made of other materials, like paper) which are sometimes used in restaurants and homes to place food on. Each person gets their own 'place mat' and they are used to prevent the table from getting dirty or damaged.

Place mat:

6. office exercise photo

The object which the bread is in, is called a

Basket:
(noun) A 'basket' is the name of a container which is normally made from plant fibres, wood or plastic. It is used to carry things in, and in a restaurant it is really only used for carrying and serving bread in. In fact, it is generally called a 'bread basket' in restaurants.

Basket:

7. office exercise photo

These are examples of what is called a

Table napkin:
(noun) A 'glass' is the name for a glass container which is used to drink cold beverages/drinks from. There are numerous different types of glass with a variety of different shapes and sizes (e.g. a 'wine glass', a 'beer glass' etc…). However, if you just ask for a 'glass', you will be given something resembling the one seen in the photo in this exercise.

Table napkin:

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Practice

Now that you understand the new vocabulary, practise it by creating your own sentences with the new words/phrases.

This is me, Chris Clayton, the owner and main writer for Blair English. I'm also a part-time English teacher in sunny Spain. I have a love of history and the web. I hope you find the website useful.