I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]

What are some common things people eat for breakfast in your hometown? Are any of these things unique to your culture that you might not find in other countries? Who usually prepares meals in your house: you, a parent, or someone else? In this activity, you will hear a father and daughter talking about breakfast choices. Which is most appealing to you?

HELPFUL TIP: People say that eating a good, well-balanced breakfast is an important way to start your day because food can help do better at school and at work. Having a good breakfast will also keep your energy level up so you can concentrate, so don’t skip it.

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. Why does the daughter complain about having a banana for breakfast?

A. The banana is still green.

B. Their pet ate part of it.

C. The daughter hates bananas.
2. Why does the daughter not want to eat cereal for breakfast.

A. She has to prepare the milk.

B. There’s no cereal left.

C. She ate the same thing yesterday.

3. What other food did the father try to prepare for his family before, but it didn’t turn out well?

A. rice and eggs

B. steak and bacon

C. pancakes

4. Why is the father preparing breakfast for his daughter?

A. Because she helped him in the kitchen.

B. Because it’s the girl’s birthday.

C. Because she can’t cook well.

5. What is the big surprise at the end of the conversation?

A. The girl’s friend drops by and brings breakfast.

B. The father decides to make his daughter fish.

C. The girl might be getting married.

Score =
Correct answers:


Daughter: Dad, Dad. What’s for breakfast?
Dad: [Dad mumbles something] Daughter: Dad? [What?]

Daughter: What’s for breakfast?

Dad: Uh, there’s a banana on the kitchen counter. Enjoy.

Daughter: Dad, that banana’s all bruised, and it looks like the cat took a bite out of it last night . . . Dad. Wake up.

Dad: Okay. Uh, there’s some cereal in the cupboard. Help yourself.

Daughter: But there’s no milk.

Dad: Well, just mix up some powered milk.

Daughter: Ah, no way. That stuff is nasty and warm. Come on, Dad.

Dad: Uh, okay. I guess I could make some pancakes.

Daughter: Uh, no. The last time you made pancakes, they were as hard as a rock. Even the dog wouldn’t touch them.

Dad: That bad? [Yeah.] Alrigh. Wait! Why in the world are we having this conversation anyway? You’re 19 years old. Make your own breakfast. I’m going back to bed.

Daughter: Because you love me . . . plus you said that you’d make something for me if I cleaned the dishes last night.

Dad: Okay. How about some eggs and bacon? I can’t go wrong there.

Daughter: Okay, but don’t put any of that funny stuff in it . . . you know, those weird mushrooms like you did last time.

Dad: Okay, okay. So, you want me to keep things simple, right?

Daughter: Exactly. But, please hurry. My friend is picking me up in a few minutes.

Dad: On a Saturday morning?

Daughter: Yeah. He’s taking me fishing.

Dad: Fishing? Since when did you start liking fishing?

Daughter: Since Dirk gave me this ring! What do you think?

Dad: What? Wait. I’m not going to ask. Let me get breakfast on the table . . . Then, we’ll have a long chat.

Dad: Oh, he’s here. I’ll just take the $20 bill out of your wallet. I can buy breakfast on the way. Bye.

Dad: Oh, no!

Key Vocabulary [Top]
  • cupboard (noun): a cabinet or storage space for keeping food or other items in the kitchen
    – You’ll find the flour and sugar in the cupboard. Why don’t you grab them so we can make some pancakes?
  • mix (up) (phrasal verb): prepare a food or drink by combining two or more ingredients
    – Don’t forget to mix (up) the eggs really well before you put them in the frying pan.
  • nasty (adjective): terrible or disgusting
    – The oatmeal he made for breakfast was nasty, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I didn’t say anything.
  • plus (conjunction): and
    – You can have eggs and toast for breakfast, plus there is some orange juice in the refrigerator in case you want something to drink.
  • go wrong (verb): make a mistake
    – I thought I followed the recipe, but this food tastes terrible, so I wonder where I went wrong.
  • weird (adjective): unusual or strange
    – Although he uses a lot of weird ingredients in his chicken soup, it always tastes great.
  • chat (noun): informal conversation
    – We had a really good chat over breakfast this morning about my daughter’s future.

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