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
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.'
Below is a photo/picture of each of the objects in bold from the above text. Now choose the name of the object from the question's selection box which you believe matches each of the photos. Only use one word once. Click on the "Check" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear below the answer. The "" icon contains extra information on the word/phrase. In the "" icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the word/phrase.
Now that you understand the meaning of the words/phrases and when to use them, practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the "" icon under each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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