Question

Read the quotations (/kwow'teifnz/ unrath) and summarise the people's opinion about English food. The questions
below can help you.
a. "It takes some skill to spoil a breakfast - even the English can't do it”
(J. K. Galbraith, an economist)
b. "On the Continent people have good food; in England people have good
table manners" (George Mikes, a writer and humourist)
c. "If the English can survive their food, they can survive anything" (George
Bernard Shaw, a writer)
d. "English cooking? You just put things into boiling water and then take them
out again after a long while!" (An anonymous French cook)
1. Are the English good cooks? Which quotation says about cooking skills of the
English people?
2. What is more important for the British: good food or good table manners?
3. Is British food delicious or disgusting? What does the phrase "survive their
food" say about the taste of British food?
4. Do the English people work hard to cook delicious food? Which quotation
proves your answer?​

Answer 1

1. According to the quotations, the opinions about the cooking skills of the English people are mixed. Quotation a by J. K. Galbraith implies that even the English cannot spoil a breakfast, suggesting that they are skilled at cooking breakfast. On the other hand, quotation d by an anonymous French cook suggests that English cooking is simply about boiling things and taking them out, implying a lack of skill. Therefore, the opinions on whether the English are good cooks are divided.

2. The quotation by George Mikes, "On the Continent people have good food; in England people have good table manners" suggests that for the British, good table manners are more important than good food. This implies that the British prioritize etiquette and politeness at the dining table over the taste of the food.

3. The phrase "survive their food" in the quotation by George Bernard Shaw implies that British food may not be delicious. The use of the word "survive" suggests that it may be difficult or challenging to enjoy British food. Therefore, the overall opinion about British food in the quotations leans towards it being less tasty or potentially unappetizing.

4. None of the quotations directly state that the English people work hard to cook delicious food. However, the quotation by J. K. Galbraith implies that cooking breakfast requires skill, suggesting that the English people may put effort into their breakfast preparations. While this does not necessarily extend to all their cooking, it does suggest that there is some level of effort put into cooking delicious breakfast meals.

In conclusion, the opinions about the English people as cooks vary in the given quotations. The British prioritize good table manners over good food, and the taste of British food is described as potentially challenging or unappetizing. While there is an indication of effort put into cooking breakfast, it is not explicitly mentioned if the English people work hard to cook delicious food in general.