Food & Drink Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on food names, cooking verbs, flavours, restaurant vocabulary and British vs American food terms. A2–B1 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Food & Drink is actually used in context at A2–B1 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as Starter, Frying, Chips, Sour and Dicing, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Food & Drink Vocabulary — FAQ
What are the basic cooking verbs in English?
Key cooking verbs: boil (cook in hot water), fry (cook in hot oil), bake (cook in an oven), roast (cook meat or vegetables in an oven), grill (cook over direct heat), steam (cook with hot steam), simmer (cook gently in barely boiling liquid), stir-fry (fry quickly over high heat while stirring), and poach (cook gently in liquid).
What are the different flavours in English?
The five basic tastes: sweet (sugar, honey, chocolate), sour (lemon, vinegar), salty (crisps, soy sauce), bitter (coffee, dark chocolate), and umami (savoury/rich — mushrooms, cheese, meat). Additional descriptors include spicy/hot (chilli), bland/mild (plain rice), tangy (sweet and sour), and rich (heavy, full-flavoured).
What vocabulary do you need for a restaurant in English?
Useful restaurant vocabulary: menu, starter/appetiser, main course, dessert, side dish, bill/check, tip, waiter/server, reservation/booking. Phrases: 'Could I have...', 'I'd like to order...', 'What do you recommend?', 'The bill, please.' For meat doneness: rare, medium-rare, medium, well-done.
What are some common food idioms in English?
Popular food idioms: 'a piece of cake' (something very easy), 'spill the beans' (reveal a secret), 'in a pickle' (in a difficult situation), 'bread and butter' (main source of income), 'the icing on the cake' (an extra benefit), 'go bananas' (go crazy), and 'cream of the crop' (the best of a group).
What is the difference between 'hungry' and 'starving'?
'Hungry' is neutral; 'starving' (informal) means extremely hungry. 'Full' means you have eaten enough; 'stuffed' (informal) means you have eaten too much. Other intensity pairs: thirsty / parched (very thirsty), tasty / delicious / scrumptious (increasing levels of appreciation).
What are the words for different ways to cut food?
Cutting vocabulary: chop (cut into rough pieces), dice (cut into small cubes), slice (cut into thin flat pieces), peel (remove outer skin), mince (cut into very small pieces), grate (shred using a grater), crush (press to break down), quarter (cut into four pieces), and julienne (cut into thin matchstick strips).
How do you describe food texture in English?
Texture words: crunchy/crispy (firm with a snap), chewy (requires much chewing), tender (soft and easy to cut), creamy (smooth and rich), fluffy (light and soft), sticky (adheres to surfaces), mushy (soft and shapeless), and silky/smooth (very fine and uniform texture).
What is the difference between 'meal', 'dish', 'food' and 'cuisine'?
'Food' is the general uncountable noun. 'Meal' refers to a specific eating occasion (breakfast, lunch, dinner). 'Dish' refers to a particular prepared recipe. 'Cuisine' refers to the cooking style of a country or region (Italian cuisine, Japanese cuisine).
What are common British and American food vocabulary differences?
Key differences: crisps (British) = chips (American); chips (British) = fries (American); biscuit (British) = cookie (American); aubergine (British) = eggplant (American); courgette (British) = zucchini (American); sweets (British) = candy (American); mince (British) = ground beef (American).
What are the vocabulary words for meals of the day?
The three main meals: breakfast (morning), lunch (midday), dinner (evening). 'Brunch' is a late morning meal combining breakfast and lunch. 'Supper' is a light evening meal. A 'snack' is food eaten between meals. 'Elevenses' (British) is a mid-morning snack, usually with tea or coffee.