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    Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: ordering food at a restaurant

    Amara Orders Lunch at the Café

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Amara walks into a small café near her apartment. The café is warm and quiet. There are a few tables by the window. Amara looks around and smiles. She finds a table near the window and sits down. A server comes to her table. The server's name is Leo. Leo smiles and says, "Good afternoon! Welcome to the café." Amara says, "Thank you. It's very nice here." Leo gives her a menu. Amara takes the menu and opens it. There are many things to choose from. She sees sandwiches, soups, and salads.

    She also sees drinks like juice, coffee, and tea. Amara is hungry, so she reads the menu carefully. Leo comes back to the table after a few minutes. He asks, "Are you ready to order?" Amara says, "Yes, I think so." She points to the menu and says, "I would like the tomato soup, please." Leo writes it down. Then he asks, "Would you like anything to drink?" Amara thinks for a moment. She says, "Do you have orange juice?" Leo says, "Yes, we do." Amara smiles and says, "Great, I'll have that, please." Leo asks, "Would you like anything else?" Amara looks at the menu again. She sees a cheese sandwich. She says, "Yes, I'll have the cheese sandwich too, please." Leo writes everything down and says, "Of course. I'll bring that out soon." Amara waits at her table. She looks out the window. She can see people walking on the sidewalk. After a short time, Leo comes back with her food.

    He puts the soup, the sandwich, and the juice on the table. He says, "Here you go! Enjoy your meal." Amara says, "Thank you so much. It looks wonderful." She tries the tomato soup first. It is hot and very good. Then she eats the cheese sandwich. It is fresh and tasty. She drinks her orange juice slowly. The café is a very nice place. Amara feels happy and relaxed. When she finishes, she calls Leo over. She says, "Excuse me, can I have the check, please?" Leo brings the check and Amara pays. She says goodbye and leaves the café feeling full and satisfied.

    Key vocabulary

    menu (noun)a list of food and drinks available in a restaurant or café“The server gave Amara a menu so she could choose her food.”
    order (verb)to ask for food or a drink in a restaurant“Amara was ready to order her lunch.”
    server (noun)a person who brings food and drinks to customers in a restaurant“The server came to Amara's table with a big smile.”
    check (noun)the piece of paper that shows how much you need to pay at a restaurant“Amara asked for the check when she finished eating.”
    hungry (adjective)feeling that you need to eat food“Amara was hungry, so she read the menu carefully.”
    fresh (adjective)recently made and of good quality“The cheese sandwich was fresh and very tasty.”
    satisfied (adjective)pleased because you have had enough of something“Amara left the café feeling full and satisfied.”
    choose (verb)to decide which thing you want from a group of options“There were many things to choose from on the menu.”

    Useful phrases

    • Are you ready to order? — a question a server asks when they want to take your food or drink request“Leo came back to the table and asked, "Are you ready to order?"”
    • I would like... — a polite way to say what you want to eat or drink“Amara said, "I would like the tomato soup, please."”
    • Do you have...? — a question used to ask if something is available“Amara asked, "Do you have orange juice?"”
    • I'll have that, please. — a polite phrase used to confirm your choice of food or drink“When Leo said they had orange juice, Amara said, "I'll have that, please."”
    • Enjoy your meal. — something a server says when they bring your food, wishing you a pleasant eating experience“Leo placed the food on the table and said, "Enjoy your meal."”
    • Can I have the check, please? — a polite way to ask for the bill at a restaurant“When Amara finished eating, she said, "Excuse me, can I have the check, please?"”
    • Would you like anything else? — a question a server asks to find out if you want more food or drinks“After writing down her order, Leo asked, "Would you like anything else?"”
    • I'll bring that out soon. — what a server says to let you know your food or drink is coming“Leo smiled and said, "I'll bring that out soon."”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJK
    1PNSATISFIED
    2BNGWIUDNOGR
    3VVZKXUGRXEV
    4FSRQXNDCVNT
    5YKOXQEFRFLN
    6RFCPRMEKXAK
    7GZVZHSERFCQ
    8NOJZHXIMEMK
    9UGQESOOHCFI
    10HFBOMSCVXNO
    11XYNQTUXDKYQ

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Where does Amara go at the beginning of the story?

      • A) Her apartment
      • B) A large restaurant
      • C) A small café
      • D) A food market
    2. What is the name of the server at the café?

      • A) Marco
      • B) Amara
      • C) Sam
      • D) Leo
    3. What does Amara order to eat? Choose the best answer.

      • A) Tomato soup and a cheese sandwich
      • B) A sandwich and coffee
      • C) A salad and a sandwich
      • D) Tomato soup and a salad
    4. What does Amara order to drink?

      • A) Orange juice
      • B) Water
      • C) Tea
      • D) Coffee
    5. What does the word 'menu' mean?

      • A) A list of food and drinks available
      • B) The name of the server
      • C) A piece of paper showing the check
      • D) A type of soup
    6. Which phrase does Amara use to ask for her food politely?

      • A) Give me the soup.
      • B) I want soup.
      • C) Can I eat the soup?
      • D) I would like the tomato soup, please.
    7. Amara sits at a table near the door. True or False?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) True
      • C) False
      • D) Not mentioned
    8. What does 'satisfied' mean in this story?

      • A) Feeling tired after a long walk
      • B) Feeling worried about something
      • C) Feeling pleased because you have had enough
      • D) Feeling hungry and ready to eat
    9. What does Amara do when she finishes her meal?

      • A) She walks to the counter.
      • B) She asks for the check.
      • C) She calls a friend.
      • D) She orders more food.
    10. The café is described as warm and quiet. True or False?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) Not mentioned
      • C) False
      • D) True

    Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    1. C 2. D 3. A 4. A 5. A 6. D 7. C 8. C 9. B 10. D

    Word search answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    check: G10 ↗ · choose: I9 ← · fresh: I7 ← · hungry: A10 ↑ · menu: F6 ↑ · order: I2 ↙ · satisfied: C1 → · server: F7 ↗

    Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: ordering food at a restaurant

    Amara's Lunch at the Corner Café

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Amara pushes open the door of a small café and steps inside, immediately struck by the warmth and the smell of fresh coffee. She scans the room and spots a quiet table by the window, which seems like the perfect place to sit and unwind after a busy morning. A friendly server named Leo appears almost immediately, handing her a menu and welcoming her with an easy smile. Amara takes her time reading through the options, which range from hearty soups and freshly made sandwiches to lighter salads and a variety of drinks. Although there are plenty of tempting choices, she eventually decides what she wants and sets the menu down on the table, signaling that she is ready.

    When Leo returns, Amara orders confidently, asking for the tomato soup and a cheese sandwich. She also wants something to drink, so she asks, "Do you have orange juice?" and feels relieved when Leo confirms that they do. Leo jots down her order and double-checks by asking, "Would you like anything else?" Amara pauses, glances at the menu one more time, and shakes her head with a smile, satisfied with her choices. Leo reassures her that he will bring everything out shortly, and Amara leans back in her chair, looking out at the people passing by on the sidewalk below. Her food arrives sooner than expected, and Amara is pleased to find that both the soup and the sandwich are fresh and well-prepared.

    She eats at a relaxed pace, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the café and the view from the window. When she finishes her last sip of orange juice, she catches Leo's attention and politely asks for the check. He brings it over promptly, and after paying, Amara thanks him genuinely. She leaves the café feeling nourished and content, already thinking that she will come back the next time she needs a good meal and a moment of calm.

    Key vocabulary

    unwind (verb)to relax after a period of stress or busy activity“Amara chose a quiet table by the window, hoping to unwind after her busy morning.”
    hearty (adjective)large, satisfying, and full of flavor, especially describing food“The menu offered hearty soups that were perfect for a cold day.”
    confidently (adverb)in a way that shows you feel sure about what you are doing“Amara ordered confidently, without needing to look at the menu again.”
    confirm (verb)to say or show that something is true or available“Leo confirmed that the café had orange juice available.”
    promptly (adverb)quickly and without delay“Leo brought the check promptly when Amara asked for it.”
    nourished (adjective)having eaten enough good food to feel healthy and satisfied“Amara left the café feeling nourished and content.”
    atmosphere (noun)the mood or feeling of a place“Amara enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of the small café.”
    tempting (adjective)attractive and making you want to have or do something“There were plenty of tempting choices on the menu, and it was hard to decide.”

    Useful phrases

    • take your time — to do something without hurrying“Amara took her time reading through the menu before making a decision.”
    • double-check — to verify or confirm something a second time to make sure it is correct“Leo double-checked Amara's order before heading back to the kitchen.”
    • catch someone's attention — to make someone notice you, often by waving or calling out“When she finished eating, Amara caught Leo's attention to ask for the check.”
    • feel relieved — to feel glad that something worrying or uncertain has been resolved“Amara felt relieved when Leo confirmed that orange juice was available.”
    • at a relaxed pace — slowly and without rushing“She ate at a relaxed pace, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the café.”
    • sooner than expected — arriving or happening before the time you thought it would“Her food arrived sooner than expected, which pleased her.”
    • set the menu down — to place the menu on the table to show you have finished reading it and are ready to order“Once she had decided, Amara set the menu down to signal she was ready.”
    • come back — to return to a place at a later time“Amara enjoyed the café so much that she was already thinking about when she would come back.”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJKLM
    1OONCMRMHZTVFN
    2TNTWHRGHZPBFC
    3WOELHNIWRDGOA
    4TUGGDHPFVFNTP
    5JREWNNNINFMRR
    6CINVIIEFIOOJG
    7HSCCWFTDSMCII
    8IHFTNFEPPLHPU
    9YEUHUNHTMEAVB
    10JDEWTELSAESAD
    11RHCLRYKRQWTBT
    12OOYERYTXJVRAG
    13NDSIWYGURYYNP

    Comprehension quiz

    1. What is Amara immediately struck by when she enters the café?

      • A) The view from the window
      • B) The loud music and bright lights
      • C) The warmth and the smell of fresh coffee
      • D) The large crowd of people inside
    2. Why does Amara choose a table by the window?

      • A) Because Leo shows her to that table
      • B) Because it seems like a perfect place to unwind
      • C) Because it is near the kitchen
      • D) Because it is the only empty table
    3. What does 'confidently' mean as used in the story?

      • A) In a way that shows you feel sure about what you are doing
      • B) In a loud and demanding way
      • C) In a nervous or uncertain way
      • D) Slowly and without thinking
    4. What does Amara order for her meal?

      • A) A cheese sandwich and tea
      • B) Tomato soup and a salad
      • C) Tomato soup and a cheese sandwich
      • D) A salad and coffee
    5. How does Amara let Leo know she is ready to order?

      • A) She calls his name across the room.
      • B) She waves at him from the window.
      • C) She sets the menu down on the table.
      • D) She walks up to the counter.
    6. Amara is unhappy with the quality of her food. True or False?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) True
      • C) False
      • D) Not mentioned
    7. What does 'atmosphere' mean in this story?

      • A) The mood or feeling of a place
      • B) The speed of the service
      • C) The food served at a café
      • D) The view from a window
    8. What does Amara think at the end of the story?

      • A) That she will return to the café another time
      • B) That the service was too slow
      • C) That she prefers cooking at home
      • D) That the food was too expensive
    9. Leo asks Amara if she would like anything else after writing down her initial order. True or False?

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) Not stated
    10. What does 'promptly' mean as used in the story?

      • A) Rudely and without care
      • B) After a very long delay
      • C) In a quiet and gentle way
      • D) Quickly and without delay

    Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. C 6. C 7. A 8. A 9. A 10. D

    Word search answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    atmosphere: M3 ↙ · confidently: M2 ↙ · confirm: K7 ↖ · hearty: K8 ↙ · nourished: B2 ↓ · promptly: M4 ↙ · tempting: K11 ↖ · unwind: E9 ↑

    Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/amara-orders-lunch-at-the-cafe-2026-09-22