Part 2 cue card · Experiences
Describe a time you tried a food for the first time
Describe the first time you tasted an unfamiliar dish.
Describe a time you tried a food for the first time
You should say:
- what the food was
- where and when you tried it
- who you were with
and explain what you thought of it.
You have one minute to prepare. Then speak for one to two minutes.
Tips for this card
- Describe taste, texture and smell precisely.
- Describe your expectations before tasting.
- Say whether you would eat it again and why.
Show a sample answer (try your own first)
The first time I tried nasi lemak was about a year ago, at a small Malaysian restaurant that had just opened in Gulshan in Dhaka. I went with two friends who are also planning to study in Malaysia, and we thought it would be a good idea to get used to the local food in advance. Before tasting it, I expected it to be quite similar to our own rice dishes, but it was different in interesting ways. The rice is cooked in coconut milk, so it's soft and slightly creamy, and it came with a spicy chilli paste called sambal, crispy fried anchovies, peanuts, a boiled egg and slices of cucumber. The sambal was the highlight for me. It was sweet and spicy at the same time, which is unusual for Bangladeshi food, where spicy dishes aren't normally sweet. The anchovies were very salty and crunchy, and I liked the contrast with the soft rice. Overall, I really enjoyed it, although I think one plate would keep me full all day. I'd definitely eat it again, and I'm looking forward to trying the real version from a roadside stall in Kuala Lumpur, where I'm told it's much better and cheaper.
Part 3 — discussion questions
- Why are some people unwilling to try new food?
- How has globalisation changed what people eat?
- Is it important to keep traditional recipes alive?
- Should schools teach children about healthy eating?