English Test: What’s cooking?

Tomorrow’s children will eat differently from their parents. Many modern homes don’t have a dining room because the occupants usually eat their meals in front of the television. In the future, families eating together at home will be an unusual event. Food will be heated in a microwave. If there is a cooker, it will be on the dining table rather than in the kitchen.

The kitchen of the future will be intelligent! Thanks to automation, it may be possible to call home on a mobile phone to start a cooking program. In the future, fewer Europeans will eat meat because they think that other foods are better for their health. In addition, farmers will realize that growing crops is a more efficient use of land than rearing cattle. “every time a person gives up eating beef,” says food expert Brian Ford, “three thousand square meters of land are freed for crop production.”

But meat is a major source of protein. How will we get the protein we need without meat? The answer: from plant sources mushrooms and other fungi will be specially grown, fortified with vitamins and artificially flavored. Artificial flavoring will become widespread.

According to Ford, fish will always be popular. “Fish, especially oily fish, have much to contribute to the diet of the future. The problem is that we are catching too many fish. We need to establish sanctuaries- “national parks”- in the oceans where fish are free to multiply.”

COMPREHENSION

A. Read the text and find answers to these questions:

1/ In the future, will cookers still be used in the home?
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2/ What part will mobile phones play in the cooking process?
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3/ Why will meat disappear from the menu?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4/ What must we do to make sure there is plenty of fish in the sea?
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

B. Tick the ideas that appear in the text?

a/ There will be no kitchens in the future. ________________
b/ The more people watch tv , the more they eat. ________________
c/ The only source of protein is meat. ________________
d/ Too many Europeans will eat less meat in the future. ________________
e/ Fish is necessary for the diet in the future. ________________
f/ Our protein needs won’t be fulfilled from plant sources. ________________

D ) Find in the text words which mean approximately the same as:

a/ not seen in many places: ……………………………………
b/ very important: ……………………………………
c/ made stronger: ……………………………………
d/ stop doing something: …………………………………..

LANGUAGE

1. Use the appropriate phrasal verb to replace the underlined words

keep out / try in / put on with / keep on/ put up with / try out / get away / get on

a) Although he was tired, he wanted to continue walking. (……………………)
b) I’d rather test this typewriter before I buy it. (…………………….)
c) I’m afraid you’ll have to tolerate the awful noise. (……………………….)
d) The burglars managed to escape before the police arrived. ( ……………………)

2. Rewrite these sentences as suggested

a) It’s not necessary to book in advance.
You……………………………………………………………….
b) I’m sure that isn’t Alex; he isn’t as tall as that.
That………………………………………………………………
c) the best thing would be to apologize.
you………………………………………………………………..
d) I’m hungry but I don’t have anything to eat.
I wish……………………………………………………………..
e) I’m sorry I didn’t meet anyone I know at dinner.
If only……………………………………………………………..
f) I can’t read this letter, I forgot my glasses somewhere.
I wish……………………………………………………………….

3. Give the correct form of the verbs between brackets

a. Unless the bus (come) ………………, we (have) …………… to look for a taxi.
b. If I (have) ……….. enough time, I (visit)………….…. my grandparents but I’m in a hurry.

WRITING

Write a paragraph to express your opinion FOR or AGAINST this idea.
“Going to the cinema is just a waste of time and money.”