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    The New Cook

    working with someone difficulta restaurant kitchenCEFR A2
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    Andre worked as a cook in a busy restaurant kitchen. He liked his job very much. He enjoyed making food for people. Every morning, he arrived early and vegetables and sauces. The kitchen was hot, but Andre did not mind. He was happy when liked his food. One day, the called a meeting. He told everyone about a new cook. The new cook's name was Leo. Leo started work the next day. Andre wanted to be . He smiled and said, "Welcome to the kitchen, Leo." Leo did not smile back. He just looked at Andre and walked away.

    Andre felt a little surprised, but he tried not to worry. Leo was not easy to work with. He was loud and often angry. He at other workers in the kitchen. He never said "please" or "thank you." When Andre asked him for help, Leo said, "I am busy. Do it yourself." Andre felt . One time, Leo took Andre's pan without asking. Andre said, "Excuse me, that is my pan." Leo did not . He just put the pan down and walked away. The other cooks were also unhappy with Leo. They talked about him during their breaks. Andre listened, but he did not say bad things about Leo. He wanted to find a better way to the problem.

    He thought about it for a long time. The next week, Andre decided to talk to Leo . He waited until the kitchen was quiet. Then he walked to Leo and said, "Leo, can we talk for a moment?" Leo looked at him but did not walk away. Andre said, "I think we can work better together. Can we try to help each other?" Leo was quiet for a few seconds. Then he said, "Maybe you are right." Andre was surprised but glad. After that day, Leo was a little nicer. He still was not very , but he stopped so much. He started to say "thank you" sometimes. Andre learned that talking to someone can help. The kitchen became a better place to work. Andre was that he did not give up.

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    Key Vocabulary

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each word and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.
    prepare
    verb

    to make something ready

    "Andre prepared the vegetables every morning."

    manager
    noun

    a person who is in charge of a workplace

    "The manager told the team about the new cook."

    friendly
    adjective

    kind and nice to other people

    "Andre wanted to be friendly to the new cook."

    frustrated
    adjective

    feeling upset because something is difficult or not going well

    "Andre felt frustrated when Leo was rude."

    apologize
    verb

    to say you are sorry

    "Leo did not apologize for taking the pan."

    solve
    verb

    to find an answer to a problem

    "Andre wanted to solve the problem with Leo."

    calmly
    adverb

    in a quiet and relaxed way

    "Andre decided to talk to Leo calmly."

    proud
    adjective

    feeling good about something you did

    "Andre was proud that he did not give up."

    shout
    verb

    to speak very loudly, often in anger

    "Leo shouted at the other workers."

    customer
    noun

    a person who buys food or things from a business

    "The customers liked Andre's food."

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    Useful Phrases

    How to use these cards
    1. Read each phrase and its meaning.
    2. Tap “Cover the meanings”, then tap a card to check yourself.
    3. Tap “Quick quiz” for a short test. Tap “I know this” on cards you have learned.

    work with

    to do a job together with someone

    "Leo was not easy to work with."

    give up

    to stop trying

    "Andre was proud that he did not give up."

    walk away

    to leave by walking, often to avoid something

    "Leo just looked at Andre and walked away."

    for a moment

    for a short time

    ""Can we talk for a moment?" Andre asked."

    try not to

    to make an effort to avoid doing something

    "Andre tried not to worry about Leo."

    each other

    one person and the other person, both ways

    ""Can we try to help each other?" Andre said."

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