1 The sign said The Invisible Restaurant. That was one of the last things I would see that evening. This restaurant, in Germany, was one of several around the world based on a simple idea: making people eat in complete darkness, as if they were blind. I had come here to see what it was like. Most of these restaurants were started to help local blind people. Firstly, these restaurants provide jobsall of the waiters and waitresses, and some of the kitchen staff, are blind. Secondly, they provide a friendly place for blind customers to eat. Finally, they give others a chance to understand the normal experiences of blind people. Such restaurants have become very popular, though not for the same reasons that they were started. Some customers come because they really care about food, and believe that when they can t see it, they can concentrate more on enjoying its smell and taste. A larger number, however, appreciate being able to concentrate on conversation with their dinner companions, and not having to worry too much about table manners or wearing stylish clothing. Some of these restaurantslike this oneput guests who have never met before at shared tables, so that they can get to know each other. I entered the dim corridor, and waited to be shown to a seat. The staff at the front desk saw my lighter and reminded me that, unlike most restaurants in Germany, smoking was not allowed there. Similarly, they told me to switch off my cell phone, and anything else that could produce light. Finally they asked me to put my bag into a small locker, to keep the floor clear and safe for others. I was guided to my table by a waitress, who used her stick to avoid all the tables, chairs and people. Despite hanging on to her, I banged my ankle against a table. Our footsteps echoed loudly on the wooden floor. I sat down, carefully feeling to check that my seat was indeed underneath me, and that the table was there in front. Unfortunately, I could also feel something cold, soft and slippery on my fingers. I asked for, and got, a paper towel. Then the waitress slowly told me what was on the menu. It was a very short list, so that customers could remember everything. That made it easy for me to choose my meal. I ordered onion soup and bread rolls to begin with. Keeping my spoon straight to avoid spilling anything turned out to be surprisingly difficult. The rolls, when they arrived, were hard. When I bit into one, dry breadcrumbs flew everywhere. Somewhere on the table was some butter. I suddenly realized I d put my hand in the butter when I had sat down. For the main course, I decided on fish with peas and potatoes. Most of the peas rolled off my fork and under the table. After a few more attempts, I gave up and used my fingers instead. The fish was delicious, but needed a little more salt. I felt around on the table for a small glass container, carefully breathed in...and sneezed all over the people sitting opposite me. I apologized. I tried to pour myself some wine, checking with my finger that I hadn t overfilled the glass. All seemed to go well. However, it tasted surprisingly weak. I had just added it to my water glass. I finished with apple pie. This at least was a safe choice, as I d already worked out how to use a spoon. Still, I ended the evening a little disappointed, because everyone at my table had spent so much time learning how to eat in the dark that we hadn t talked much. Why was the Invisible Restaurant started? To make people unable to see. To make people stop smoking. To make life easier for blind people. To make eating simple for everyone. To make lots of money. Why do most customers come to this restaurant? In order to see. To talk and relax. It is very convenient. The food looks beautiful. It is open late at night. Why was the restaurant s menu limited, with only a few choices? To help the cooks prepare food quickly. So that the waitress can read it quickly. So all the dishes are familiar to the customers. So that customers don t forget any of the choices. To make it harder to choose. Why can nobody smoke in the restaurant? It is against the law in Germany. It is unhealthy for blind people. It would make it harder to see. It would make it less dark inside. It would ruin the flavor of the food. How could the other customers at the writer s table be described? They are strangers to each other. They are bored. They are shy and don t talk very much. They are well dressed. They are smokers. What do the staff at the restaurant s entrance do? Tell customers not to use anything that makes a light. Take customer orders. Tell customers to close their eyes. Tell customers what is on the menu. Keep the customers cell phones. What do we know from the writer s reaction during the main course? That she had been to the restaurant before. Thatshecametothisrestaurantbymistake. That she picked up the pepper by mistake. That she had a cold that evening. That she doesn t care about food. What was the first thing the writer did after sitting down? Write down the menu. Wipebutteroffherhand. Smoke a cigarette. Talk to the other customers at the table. Injure the waitress s ankle. What is true about the writer during the meal? She never made a mistake. She never ate any vegetables. She never liked any of the food. She never drank any alcohol, only water. She never had any trouble deciding what to order.
What was the writer s biggest problem with the wine? She couldn t pour it from the glass into her mouth. She didn t know if it was red or white. She had used a glass that was the wrong shape. It wasn t actually a very strong wine. She had accidentally mixed it with water. Why did the writer think that apple pie would be safe? She knew how it should taste. She could eat it without embarrassment. It wouldn t be poisonous. It wouldn t damage clothing if spilled. It was a food that she recognized. What did the writer do at the end of the meal? She regretted not talking more with the other guests. She thanked the staff. Sheaskedformoreapplepie. She thought about how she enjoyed the whole experience. She remembered how to use a spoon. 2 Naomi Hi Jim. I was calling your office to ask about the project that we re working on together, but you didn t answer. What s up? Trouble? Jim Yes. Bad news from home. Naomi Oh no. Is it your family? Jim No, they re fine. It s Argyle. Terrible news. Naomi Oh dear. Has he died? Jim Who? Naomi Argyle. Who was he, a friend? Jim Argyle isn t a person! Naomi Oh. Your pet then? Dog, cat? Jim No! Devonport Argyle. It s my hometown football team. They finished bottom of the league this season. It s terrible. Naomi What?You resosad? Jim What do you mean, some sport? It s really important to me. Naomi Sorry. I didn t know it meant so much to you. Jim Well it does. Living and working as we do here, it s easy to forget about your hometown. The only memories I have of home are family, some friends, and Argyle. Naomi? Jim Being at school in Devonport, and looking forward to going to football games with friends. Wednesday night games were the best, even though it was usually, because drinking a mug of soup with your friends and cheering for Argyle made your heart feel so bright and warm inside. Naomi It sounds romantic. Jim Romantic? I never thought of it that way. I just loved it. I don t often think of my hometown. I ve lived here longer than I lived there. I left when I was 18 to go to university in Newcastle for three years, then I studied in Paris for a year, and after France I came here. I ve worked in this London office almost 20 years. Naomi I didn t know Jim Thanks a lot for making me feel worse! Naomi What do you mean? I meant you look younger. Jim Oh, thanks. Naomi This doesn t mean that your team is completely finished, does it? Jim No, they ll still play next season, just at a lower level. Naomi Will they play in London? Jim Well, yes. Actually, their second game next season is on a Wednesday nightatlinthorpe,ineastlondon. Naomi Maybeyoucouldtakemethere. Jim You d like to see a game? Really? Naomi A Wednesday night game with you and Argyle? It might be quite romantic. What is Jim sad about? He has to leave his hometown. He has a friend in trouble. His project is in trouble. His current team s situation. He has lost Naomi s friendship. Where is Jim s hometown? London. Newcastle. Argyle. Devonport. Paris. What is the best phrase for? about some sport you don t like just because our project is hard work that some sport is more popular even though sport isn t important justbecauseofsomesport What is the best phrase for? Where were you then Did you think of your family What do you remember How did you do then How was it for them What special thoughts does Jim have about his hometown in the past? Playing football with his family. Enjoying free time with his friends. Meeting new people at university. Spending time caring for his pets. Enjoying his lessons at school. What is the best phrase for? really dark and cold. lonely for me then. a lovely summer evening. my time with Naomi. easy to get tickets.
What is the best phrase for? you at all. youweresoyoung. you were that bad. youinlondon. you were that old. What does Naomi suggest? That Jim should visit Linthorpe for a holiday. That Jim should look after his pets very carefully. That Jim should take Naomi to a football game. That Jim should go with Naomi to Argyle. That Jim should invite Naomi to his hometown. 3 Some people sheep to help them fall asleep at night. First impressions do, so make sure you wear a tie to your interview. matter find count wear say My friend from America wants to climb Mt. Fuji before she Japan. The are always beautiful in the fall. finishes saves leaves believes seems Howard was never able to very fast. The chef wanted to his own restaurant. have eat own run possess I am going to ask my boss for a in pay. It is time for you to get married and children. raise rise realize rose recognize Are you going to take a trip? I m not quite sure. It all Whether the game will be played on the weather. considers puts reflects goes depends 4 A is a meeting held for a lot of people to share opinions and information. magazine conference party wedding contribution The student was by the teacher s support and passed the examination. given pulled discouraged encouraged hurt He moved to a new office last year and he soon himself to his new workplace. pulled adapted found tried made Everybody expected the movie to be a great hit, but it was from being a success. distant away far different extra It is impossible to when a terrible tsunami will hit this area. follow forbid demand experience predict There is availableinthenorthislandthaninthesouthisland. work least work little work less work much work Would you mind you tomorrow morning? I need to talk to you before the lunch time meeting. I call me calling being called to call call If you try to use Japanese in New Zealand, nobody will know you mean. it us what that of The area of Singapore is much smaller than of Japan. that it what those one There were no traffic accident injuries at all last month is hard to believe unless the snow kept everyone off the roads. which where what however whom She s not back in her office yet, so is likely that her class hasn t ended. there she it one who
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