High-Frequency Topic 13: Food and cooking
Please read through the text and understand the meaning of the bold words/phrases based on the context.
As humans, food is one of our basic needs. That is why many people study and work so hard to put food on the table for their families. But food is more than just something we put in our bodies to refuel us. It is also a way to enjoy the abundant variety of this world.
In many places, people have access to a lot of food options. Depending on their mood, they may opt for a savoury dish flavoured with many spices or just salt and pepper. Barbecues are often a favourite in many cultures where meats, and even vegetables, are roasted over a fire. In other cultures, sandwiches are a big thing because of the faster preparation time as they just slap together some cold cuts and cheese between two pieces of bread. Noodles are a staple in many Asian countries. Served dry or with soup or broth, a bowl of noodles is delicious, nutritious, and filling. And of course, to remove any bad aftertaste and put a smile on one’s face, nearly everyone appreciates something sweet after a meal such as a sundae, cookie, slice of cake, or an after-dinner mint for their dessert.
Although these specialties can be purchased ready-made in groceries or restaurants, many wish to prepare the dishes they love themselves. Learning from one’s parents is one of the most common ways to learn how to cook or bake. Some parents desire to pass their skill on, while others teach it out of necessity because they cannot cook regularly due to their work. Other people are self-taught, learning through videos on social media or TV. Then some invest in themselves by studying the culinary arts at school. Such people may desire to work in a five-star restaurant or open their own café, bakery, restaurant, noodle shop, or canteen.
However, learning such skills is not easy, despite the ease with which chefs on TV prepare their dishes. It requires much patience to study the different aspects of cooking. A person needs to recognize what is fresh and what is not and how to use the different kitchen knives properly to chop, skin, and fillet. There are also many machines for cooking in the kitchen, like the blender, mixer, oven, and microwave. And recipes must be memorized so that the meal is not ruined. Therefore, cooking is not just a chore. It is a craft. And if you have a passion for it, it becomes an art.
Based on your understanding of the original text, answer the following questions. Try to incorporate the key collocations and vocabulary introduced in the reading guide. (Trả lời các câu hỏi bằng tiếng Anh sử dụng từ vựng đã học).