I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]

Finding good restaurants usually isn’t a problem for language students; ordering at one can be if you don’t know appropriate language expressions. What kinds of questions and expressions would you expect to hear between a customer and a server?

HELPFUL TIP: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the menu. In fact, skip the burger and fries, and trying something new will be both a cultural and language experience.

II. Listening Exercises [Top]

Listen to the conversation by pressing the “Play Audio” button and answer the questions. Press the “Final Score” button to check your quiz.

1. What does the woman order?

A. T-bone steak

B. chicken fried steak

C. broiled chicken
2. What does she eat with her meal?

A. fries

B. bread

C. rice

3. What does she have to drink?

A. small sprite

B. medium sprite

C. large sprite

4. What kind of dressing does she ask for?

A. French

B. Italian

C. ranch

5. Why is the restaurant not serving pies today?

A. The baker was hurt at work and can’t prepare them.

B. The oven is broken and hasn’t been repaired.

C. The restaurant has decided to only sell ice cream.

Score =
Correct answers:


Waiter: Hi. Welcome to Heavenly Pies. May I take your order?
Woman: Uh . . . yes. I’d like the chicken fried steak.

Waiter: Okay. Would you like fries, bread, or rice with your meal?

Woman: Umm. I’ll take the rice?

Waiter: Would you care for anything to drink?

Woman: Yeah. I’ll take a medium Sprite.

Waiter: I’m sorry. We only have large or small.

Woman: Well, in that case, uh, I’ll have a small Sprite.

Waiter: Okay. A small Sprite. And what kind of dressing would you like with your salad. It comes with the fried steak.

Woman: What dressings do you have?

Waiter: We have French, Italian, blue cheese, and ranch.

Woman: Oh! Ranch, please.

Waiter: Would you like anything else?

Woman: Well, I’d like to see you pie menu. That’s the main reason why I like to dine here.

Waiter: Oh, I’m so sorry, but we aren’t serving pies today.

Woman: Huh?

Waiter: Well, you see, Dave, our baker, slipped on a banana peel back in our kitchen two days ago, and injured his back. [Oh] He’ll be out for at least two weeks. In the meantime, we’re serving ice cream sundaes instead. Sorry.

Woman: Wow. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he gets better soon.

Key Vocabulary [Top]
  • meal (noun): a portion of food served and eaten at one time
    – This restaurant serves delicious meals at a reasonable price.
  • care for (verb): informal, to want or wish for something
    – Would you care for another drink?
  • dine (verb): to eat dinner
    – How about dining at my house tonight?
  • injure (verb): to cause physical damage to someone
    – He injured his back when he tried to lift those heavy boxes.

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