| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | Barbecue and Food | Man – Woman | 01:29 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
What kinds of food do people often prepare and eat at a barbecue or family party?
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- Barbecues are the best way to bring people together compared to indoor meals.
- Outdoor parties are more enjoyable than formal indoor gatherings.
- Barbecues waste too much food and are bad for the environment.
- People who don’t eat meat often feel left out at barbecues.
- Hosting a barbecue is more stressful than attending one.
- Music is necessary for any successful outdoor party.
- Barbecue food tastes better than restaurant food.
- Outdoor social gatherings can be uncomfortable because of weather and bugs.
- Large outdoor parties are better than small, private gatherings.
- Barbecues and outdoor events should end early rather than late at night.
Idioms
“eat like a horse” = to eat a lot
“My brother eats like a horse, so you’ll need a lot of food for the party.”
“eat someone for breakfast” = to beat badly
“Their soccer team is so good that they will eat our team for breakfast.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
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be in charge of (verb): be responsible for
– Call Brandon if you have questions. He is in charge of the food for the barbecue.
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eat like a horse (verb): eat a lot of food like a horse
– I hope you have a lot of food for the party. My brother eats like a horse. -
put away (verb): eat a large amount of food
– The football team put away 20 pizzas after the game, and they were still hungry. -
vegetarian (noun): a person who does not eat meat
– My sister has been a vegetarian for many years. -
work out (verb): end in a positive way
– I really hope things work out for you after you graduate. -
fridge (noun): short for refrigerator – an appliance used to keep food or other items cool
– Put all of the drink in the fridge. I want it to be cold for the party.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
Talk about a party or dinner you have had with family or friends during the past month or so. Who came to the activity? What did you eat? Who prepared the food? What activities or games did you do at the party? How long did it last?
Online Investigation
Use the internet to search for a recipe on how to prepare a typical food from a country that interests you. What ingredients do you need to prepare the food? Is there a particular time of year or holiday when people eat this food? Does this food have any special meaning to the people?