Directions: Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information from the passage.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
They say a country's cuisine is a reflection of its culture. The UK has always been a diverse country,
since every region has its own traditional foods. For example, Scottish cuisine is famous for its haggis (肉
馅羊肚), Aberdeen Angus beef, shortbread and whisky. Wales is well-known for its lamb and leeks (韭菜).
There are also dishes common to the whole UK as well. Almost everyone likes a full English breakfast
(fried eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, fried mushrooms and fried tomatoes) in the morning. Then there
is the Sunday roast (a roasted joint of meat, with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy for lunch.)
With such a range of foods, why then did British cuisine have a bad international reputation for about 50
years (1950-2000)? One reason is that during and after World War 11, cooks in the UK were limited by the
ingredients they had to work with and therefore lost some of their traditional skills. Another is that British
food tends to be "heavy" because of the colder climate-Britons need big meals to keep the body warm.
Yet British cuisine has had a better reputation for tile last decade or so. One reason is that the wide range
of ethnic groups in the UK has given British cuisine new ingredients, flavors, "fusion (融合)" and techniques.
Sandwiches used to be the most popular. Curry, originally an Asian dish, is now the most popular food in
the UK.
Another reason for the improvement is climate change. The UK is much warmer now than 10 years ago.
Today, farmers can grow new herbs like coriander, to meet the demands of increased curry sales. In addition,
there has been a boom in growing garlic in Scotland.
One last reason is the large number of cookery programs on British television. British people are more
educated about food than ever before.
So what are the results? In 2009, British restaurants received more Michelin stars than in any other
previous year. The Michelin Guide (first established in France) sets the international standard for restaurant
cuisine. With so much good food to eat, perhaps it is not surprising that the UK now has an obesity problem.
