or supper depending upon its size and also the social standing of those eating it.
35 the Continent (remember the capital letter and the article): the mainland of Europe, as distinct from the British Isles (the name is
used by the British)
(See: Potter S. Everyday English for Foreign Students. Lnd., 1963}
TEXT В. AT TABLE
N i с к : I say, mum, I'm terribly hungry. I haven't had a thing all day. I could do with a
snack.
M o t h e r : Why, you're just in time for dinner.
N i с к : No soup for me. I'd rather have beefsteak.
M o t h e r : Are you quite sure you wouldn't like some soup? It tastes all right.
N i c k : There is nothing like steak and chips. I'll go and wash my hands.
M o t h e r : How's the steak? I'm afraid it's underdone.
N i c k : Oh, it's done to a turn, just to my liking. I don't like meat overdone. May I have
another helping of chips?
M o t h e r : Yes, certainly. Hand me your plate, please, and help yourself to the salad.
Just to see how it tastes.
N i c k : Oh, it's delicious.
M o t h e r : Shall I put some mustard on your steak?
N i c k : No, thanks, I don't care for mustard. I'd rather take a spoonful of sauce. Pass me
the sauce, please.
M o t h e r : Here you are. Oh, isn't there a smell of something burning?
N i с к : So there is.
M o t h e r : I've left the layer-cake in the oven.
N i c k : For goodness' sake get it out quick.
M o t h e r ( coming back): Oh, Nick! How awkward of you to have spilt the sauce over
the table-cloth. Get a paper napkin from the sideboard and cover it up.
N i c k : I'm terribly sorry. I was quite upset about my favourite cake getting spoiled.
M o t h e r : Don't worry. Here it is, brown and crisp on the outside. What will you have,
tea or coffee?
N i с к : A cup of tea.
M o t h e r : Any milk? Shall I put butter on your bread?
N i c k : No, thanks. I can't see the sugar-basin.
M o t h e r : It's behind the bread-plate. Have a better look.
N i c k : I'm afraid it's the salt-cellar.
M o t h e r : So it is. In my hurry I must have left it in the dresser.
N i c k : It's all right I'll get it myself.
M o t h e r : Help yourself to the cake. There's nothing else to follow.
N i c k : I've had a delicious meal.
TEXT С. IN THE DINING-HALL
— Let's go to the dining-hall. We haven't much time left, but we'll manage it all right if you
hurry. You take a place in the queue and I'll see what we can get for dinner.
— All right. What is on the menu?
— Cabbage soup with meat, chicken soup with noodles and pea soup.