A Tudor Mansion

The mansion was built in 1563 and was typically Tudor in style. A solid, stone house, square in shape yet graceful with many windows and a tower built onto each of its four corners. The windows created a highly dramatic effect and filled the tower rooms with extraordinary light. Diana, the hostess, called it a typical country dwelling, and protested that for all its historical significance it was by no means a grand house any more and this was true. It was extremely well-designed, skillfully planned, even somewhat compact for this type of a Tudor manor, and in comparison to some of the great homes in Yorkshire, it was small. Despite its size Diana found it difficult to run. It was kept with the help of Joe and Edith Parkinson, who had lived and worked there for over forty years. They took care of all the interiors, and did laundry and cooking.

The kitchen was as old as the building itself, and it had altered very little within the years. Painted cool white it was long in shape. The fireplace at the far end of it was high to the ceiling, made of brick and mortar. It had a great hearth, an overhanging mantelshelf and old-fashioned ovens.

The butler's pantry adjacent to the kitchen, had been updated and remodelled by Diana, so that it better served her. She had put a double-sized refrigerator, two dishwashers, and counters for food preparation; above which hung lots of cabinets for china and all other kitchen utensils. The chief peculiarity of the room was a collection of wood and brass candlesticks. And everywhere was a

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sparkle of copper in such things as pots and pans hanging from the rack, and in ladles, spoons and measuring scoops on a side table.

Diana's acquaintances loved this kitchen and thought it one of the most welcoming; it was not only cheerful and spacious but comfortable as well. As Diana said, it was the hub of the house, a room you could easily live in.

Topic Seven: Meals and Food

Dictation 17

Meals in Britain

A traditional English breakfast is a very big meal – sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms.... But nowadays many people just have cereal with milk and sugar, or toast with marmalade or honey. Marmalade and jam are not the same! Marmalade is made from oranges and jam is made from other fruit. The usual drink is juice. But some prefer coffee, often instant, which is made with just hot water. Many visitors to Britain find it disgusting!

For a great number of people lunch is a quick meal. In cities there are a lot of bars, where office workers can choose the kind of bread they want – rye, white, or a roll – and then all sorts of salad to go in a sandwich. Pubs often serve good, cheap food, both hot and cold. School children can have a meal at school, but many just take a snack from home – a chocolate bar, some fruit and crisps.

People have afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes, and, of course, a cup of tea. They may also have scones with cream.

The evening meal is the main one of the day for the British. They, as a rule, have it quite early, between 6.00 and 8.00 p.m., and often families eat together. They have roast beef, lamb, chicken, or pork with potatoes, vegetables and gravy which is a sauce made from meat juices.

Britons like food from other countries too, especially Italian, French, Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian. People regularly get take-away meals – you buy food at a restaurant and then bring it home. So you can see that eating in Britain is really international!

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Dictation 18