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📕 A2: Grades 10-12 • FOOD & COOKING

Let's Compare Two Dishes!

In this lesson, you will learn how to compare food using comparatives and express preferences. You'll review two local dishes, share your opinion, and create a simple menu.

Let's Compare Two Dishes!
💬 Warm-up
1 What is your favorite local dish? Why?
2 Do you prefer salty or sweet food? Why?
3 How does your favorite meal smell? Describe it.

🎯 Objectives

  • Use comparatives to compare food.
  • Express likes and preferences with 'like' and 'prefer'.
  • Write a short food review comparing two dishes.
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
taste
"I love the taste of fresh fruit."
the flavor of food when you eat it
2.
salty
"This soup is too salty."
having a lot of salt
3.
fresh
"These vegetables are fresh from the market."
newly picked or made; not old
4.
smell
"The smell of bread baking is wonderful."
the odor of something
5.
prefer
"I prefer tea to coffee."
to like one thing more than another
6.
meal
"We eat three meals a day."
an occasion when food is eaten, or the food itself
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
taste
the flavor of food when you eat it
salty
having a lot of salt
fresh
newly picked or made; not old
smell
the odor of something
prefer
to like one thing more than another
meal
an occasion when food is eaten, or the food itself

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. Some people prefer spicy food over mild food.
2. A good meal includes a main dish and a side.
3. The soup is a little too salty for me.
4. This dish has a very strong smell of garlic.
5. I like the taste of the fresh salad.
6. I buy fresh bread every morning.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. Some people prefer spicy food over mild food.
2. A good meal includes a main dish and a side.
3. The soup is a little too salty for me.
4. This dish has a very strong smell of garlic.
5. I like the taste of the fresh salad.
6. I buy fresh bread every morning.

📖 Reading

Two Local Dishes: A Comparison

Today I tried two local dishes: Pasta Carbonara and Pad Thai. I want to compare them. First, the taste: Carbonara is creamy and rich, while Pad Thai is salty and sweet. I prefer Pad Thai because it has a fresher taste.

The smell of Carbonara is strong with cheese, but Pad Thai smells more like lime and peanuts. Both are delicious meals, but Pad Thai is more interesting for me. Compare them yourself!

When I eat Carbonara, I feel full quickly. It is heavier. Pad Thai is lighter and I can eat more. The fresh vegetables in Pad Thai give it a nice crunch. I think Pad Thai is a better meal for lunch.

My friend disagrees. He says Carbonara is more satisfying because of the creamy sauce. He prefers the rich taste. But for me, a fresh and lighter meal is better. So, which do you prefer?

Comprehension Questions

1.
What two dishes does the writer compare?
The writer compares Pasta Carbonara and Pad Thai.
2.
Which dish does the writer prefer? Why?
The writer prefers Pad Thai because it has a fresher taste and is lighter.
3.
How does the writer describe the taste of Carbonara?
The writer says Carbonara is creamy and rich.
4.
What does the writer say about the smell of Pad Thai?
The writer says Pad Thai smells more like lime and peanuts.
5.
What does the writer's friend think about the two dishes?
The writer's friend prefers Carbonara because it is more satisfying with its creamy sauce.

🎧 Listening Practice

My Favorite Local Meal

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Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
What two dishes does Jessica compare?
She compares chicken rice and beef noodles.
2.
Which dish does Jessica prefer?
She prefers chicken rice.
3.
Why does Jessica prefer chicken rice?
Because she likes the fresh smell and it is lighter.
4.
How does Jessica describe the taste of beef noodles?
She says beef noodles have a strong, salty, and rich taste.
5.
What does Jessica's friend think about the two dishes?
Her friend prefers beef noodles and thinks they are more exciting.

🗣️ Pair Work

Create Your Menu

"Design a simple restaurant menu with two appetizers, two main dishes, and two desserts. Use vocabulary words like fresh, salty, smell, taste, meal, and prefer. Write a short description for each item using comparatives."

👉 Choose a name for your restaurant.

👉 List two appetizers. Describe them using comparatives (e.g., 'Our spring rolls are fresher than the fried ones.')

👉 List two main dishes. Compare them (e.g., 'The grilled fish is saltier than the chicken.')

👉 List two desserts. Use 'prefer' to recommend one.

👉 Add a special note about the meal.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: taste salty fresh smell prefer meal
✍️ WRITING

Food Review: Compare Two Dishes

Write a 4-sentence food review comparing 2 dishes you know. Use comparatives and the words taste, salty, fresh, smell, prefer, meal. Start with the names of the dishes, then compare them. End with your preference.

✅ Checklist:
  • Minimum 4 sentences, use at least 4 vocabulary words, use comparatives (e.g., more, less, -er), structure: introduction, comparison, preference.
🎙️ SPEAKING

Dish Comparison Talk

Record a 45-second talk comparing 2 dishes. Introduce the dishes, describe their taste and smell, and say which you prefer and why.

✅ Checklist:
  • Duration: 45 seconds, use at least 4 vocabulary words, speaking focus: fluency, include a clear introduction and conclusion.
Helpful Phrases
  • I want to compare two dishes: ___ and ___.
  • The first dish tastes ___ while the second is ___.
  • I prefer ___ because it is fresher/less salty/more tasty.
  • The smell of ___ reminds me of ___.
  • In my opinion, ___ is a better meal for ___.
  • Overall, I think ___ is more delicious than ___.