Tastes Speaking Cards

Speaking Practice: Food & Flavours

Target Words

Crispy Crunchy Creamy Mild Spicy Bland Tasteless Bitter Sour Savoury Hot

Group A

Compare these three words:

Crispy / Crunchy / Creamy

Which one doesn't belong to this group? Defend your opinion. Name at least one dish for each word.

Helper Words:

smooth (однородный), make a sound (издавать звук), chew (жевать)

Group B

Compare these three words:

Hot / Spicy / Mild

Which one is the opposite of the other two? Explain how they change the feeling in your mouth.

Helper Words:

temperature (температура), burn (обжигать), spices/herbs (специи/травы)

Group C

Compare these three words:

Savoury / Bland / Tasteless

Which word describes good food? What usually makes food fall into the other two categories?

Helper Words:

well-seasoned (хорошо приправленный), lack of flavor (отсутствие вкуса), mouth-watering (аппетитный)

Group D

Compare these three words:

Bitter / Sour / Savoury

Which word describes an overall pleasant taste for a main dish, and which two describe specific strong flavours? Give examples.

Helper Words:

acidity (кислотность), squeeze of lemon (выжать лимон), dark chocolate (темный шоколад)

Group E

Compare these three words:

Hot / Mild / Bland

"Hot" can mean temperature or spice. Based on the other two words, how should we translate "Hot" in this group? Why?

Helper Words:

context (контекст), unbearable (невыносимый), easy on the stomach (легкий для желудка)

Group F

Compare these three words:

Creamy / Tasteless / Bland

Which word focuses strictly on texture, while the other two focus on a negative taste experience?

Helper Words:

consistency (консистенция), mouthfeel (ощущение во рту), needs salt (не хватает соли)

The Bad Soup

Teacher: Waiter | Student: Customer

You ordered a chicken soup, but it tastes like hot water. Call the waiter, explain what is wrong with the food, and ask them to fix it.

Helper Words:

broth (бульон), seasoning (приправа), send it back (вернуть на кухню)

The Strange Dessert

Teacher: Friend | Student: Foodie

You are eating a very unusual dessert. The top is hard and makes a sound when you bite it, but the inside is like a soft cloud. Describe it to your friend.

Helper Words:

crust (корочка), filling (начинка), melt in the mouth (таять во рту)

The Burning Curry

Teacher: Waiter | Student: Customer

You ordered a Thai curry. You took one bite and now your mouth is on fire. You cannot eat it. Talk to the waiter and ask for a different option.

Helper Words:

delicate stomach (чувствительный желудок), replace (заменить), menu (меню)

Chocolate Review

Teacher: Interviewer | Student: Blogger

You are tasting an expensive dark chocolate bar with lemon pieces. The interviewer asks for your professional opinion on its taste.

Helper Words:

cocoa percentage (процент какао), aftertaste (послевкусие), zest (цедра)

The Picnic Mix-up

Teacher: Friend | Student: Friend

You brought a big bowl of salad for a picnic, but your friend forgot the dressing. It is too dry to eat. Ask your friend to find something in their bag to fix it.

Helper Words:

dressing (заправка), dry (сухой), vinegar (уксус), olive oil (оливковое масло)

The Cooking Class

Teacher: Student | Student: Chef

You are teaching a cooking class. A student made a tomato sauce, but put too much lemon in it. Tell them how to balance the taste.

Helper Words:

balance (сбалансировать), pinch of sugar (щепотка сахара), heavy cream (жирные сливки)

The Perfect Pizza

Describe your ultimate pizza. Talk about the base, the sauce, and the ingredients on top. Use at least 3 words from the target vocabulary bank.

Helper Words:

dough (тесто), thick/thin crust (толстый/тонкий корж), toppings (начинка сверху)

Childhood Trauma

Is there a dish from your childhood that you hated, but now you actually enjoy? Describe how it tastes and why your opinion changed.

Helper Words:

acquire a taste for (распробовать), consistency (консистенция), weird (странный)

Guess the Snack

Student describes | Teacher guesses

Think of your favorite snack for a movie night. Describe its taste and how it feels when you eat it, but do NOT say its name. The teacher has to guess.

Helper Words:

bite-sized (на один укус), greasy (жирный), grab a handful (взять горсть)

Signature Dish

If you opened your own restaurant, what would be the star of the menu (your signature dish)? Explain what makes it special to your customers.

Helper Words:

secret ingredient (секретный ингредиент), recipe (рецепт), serve with (подавать с)

Texture Preference

When you are stressed or tired, do you prefer foods that are soft and easy to eat (like soup) or hard things you need to bite (like chips)? Why?

Helper Words:

comfort food (утешительная еда), satisfy a craving (удовлетворить желание), relieve stress (снять стресс)

The Spice Challenge

What is the hottest or spiciest thing you have ever eaten? Did you enjoy the experience, or was it a nightmare? Describe what happened.

Helper Words:

tears in my eyes (слезы на глазах), handle the heat (справляться с остротой), numb (онемевший)