Countable nouns can be counted: one apple, two apples. Uncountable nouns cannot be counted one by one: water, rice, bread, milk, money, information. They have no plural form and we use a singular verb: “The milk is cold.”

To count uncountable nouns, we use a unit: a glass of water, a slice of bread, a kilo of rice, a bottle of milk, a piece of cake.

“Some” is for positive sentences: I have some bread. “Any” is for negatives and questions: I don’t have any milk. Do you have any eggs? We use “some” in offers and requests: Would you like some tea? Can I have some water?

For questions about amount: “How many” + countable (How many eggs do we need?), “How much” + uncountable (How much milk do we need?) and “How much is it?” for the price.

In positive sentences we usually say “a lot of”: We have a lot of apples. In negatives and questions we can use “much” and “many”: There isn’t much time. Are there many shops?

Use “Can I have…?”, “Could I have…?” or “I’d like…” (I would like). “Could you…?” is polite for asking for help: Could you read the menu, please? Could you tell me the price?

Useful phrases: What do you recommend? Is there any meat in this dish? Does it contain nuts? I’m allergic to… Could I have the bill, please? Keep the change.

• What is your favourite meal of the day?
• What do you usually have for lunch?
• Do you cook at home? What do you cook?
• What is your favourite smell in the kitchen?
• Do you drink coffee or tea?
• How many cups of tea or coffee do you drink a day?
• Is there any food you don’t like?
• What do you usually buy at the shop?
• Do you shop online or in the shop?
• What is your favourite dessert?
• Do you eat breakfast every day?
• Is there anything you’re allergic to?

• Describe a traditional dish from your country. What are the ingredients?
• How do you know when food is ready: by smell, by sound, by taste?
• Who cooks in your family? What is their best dish?
• What is the best restaurant you know? Why do you like it?
• How do you find and choose products when you shop?
• What apps or services help you with food and shopping?
• What do you eat when you are tired or sad?
• Do you try new food often? What was the last new food?
• What is a typical breakfast in your country?
• How much money do you spend on food every week?
• What can restaurants do to be friendly for everyone?
• Tell me how to cook your favourite simple dish step by step.

• Is it healthier to eat at home or in restaurants?
• Should children learn to cook at school? Why?
• Is expensive food always better?
• How do you think food will change in the next twenty years?
• What does sharing a meal mean in your culture?
• Do you think fast food is a problem? What should we do?
• Can food tell us about the history of a country?
• What would be your perfect dinner party: who, where and what?

• What is your favourite dish? How do you make it?
• How much water do you drink every day?
• How many meals do you have a day?
• Are there any foods you never eat?
• What is in your fridge right now?
• Do you prefer sweet or salty food?
• How often do you go shopping for food?
• Is there a good market or shop near you?
• How much money do you spend on food in a week?
• Can you cook? What can you make?
• Do you drink a lot of coffee or tea?
• What do you usually order in a café?

• Is cooking at home better than eating out?
• Should children eat sweets? How many is too many?
• Is it expensive to eat healthy food?
• What is the best food from your country for a visitor to try?
• Do you think people eat too much meat?
• Would you like to learn to cook something new? What?
• Is online food shopping a good idea?
• What food reminds you of your childhood?

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