Food and Cuisine
Last Updated: August 2026
What you get on this page
Complete solutions for every textbook exercise in Reading I Strange Food from Around the World and Reading II You Inspire Others by Learning not by Teaching. Answers are in the answer key sections.
Grammar explanations on connectives and present continuous with rule formulas, tables of forms, worked examples and traps.
Writing format guides for the recipe and the argumentative paragraph. Every required part explained.
Practice questions in the SEE paper format. Answers not included.
Jump to what you need
Teacher's Insight
What the unit is really testing
Grammar I: Connectives
Rules · formula · examples
Grammar II: Present Continuous
Rules · formula · examples
Reading I Answers
Strange Food · full solutions
Reading II Answers
You Inspire Others · full solutions
Writing I: Recipe
Answer
Writing II: Paragraph
Answer
Practice Questions
SEE format · answers not included
Complete solutions for Class 10 English Unit 6 Food and Cuisine. This page covers Reading I Strange Food from Around the World and Reading II You Inspire Others by Learning not by Teaching with all textbook exercises, grammar on connectives and present continuous and writing tasks for SEE 2083.
What this unit is really testing
Unit 6 has two texts that argue about the same thing from different directions. Strange Food from Around the World says that a willingness to try unfamiliar food is a form of courage. You Inspire Others by Learning not by Teaching says that a willingness to keep learning is a form of courage. The exam pairs travel writing with a personal interview to test whether a student can move between two kinds of nonfiction in one unit.
The key skill in Reading I is reading for opinion. The writer is not just describing food. He is telling you what he thinks about each dish. Some he loves. Some he is still getting used to. Some he cannot handle. The comprehension questions test whether you can tell the difference.
The key skill in Reading II is reading between the questions. The interviewer does not ask directly what Shah's struggles were. The answers reveal them. The exam will test whether you can reconstruct Shah's journey from scattered answers instead of one clean narrative.
Exam weight of this unit. Connectives and present continuous together carry part of the eleven grammar marks. The recipe writing and the argumentative paragraph are both writing tasks.
Where this unit's content types appear in the SEE paper
Reading 1 (5 marks). A short extract from either passage with one comprehension question type. Length about 100 words.
Reading 2 (10 marks). A short extract from either passage with two comprehension question types. Length about 200 words.
Reading 3 (10 marks) and Reading 4 (15 marks). Unseen passages of the same text types. A travel article or an interview can appear here. Reading 4 includes vocabulary items.
Grammar (11 marks). Connectives and present continuous appear in the transformation section and in the multiple choice in context section.
Writing. The recipe belongs to Guided Writing I (5 marks, about 100 words). The argumentative paragraph belongs to Free Writing I (6 marks, about 150 words).
What to remember from this unit
Reading I in one sentence. A travel writer argues that trying strange food is a form of courage and lists eight dishes from seven countries to prove it.
Memory device for Reading I. Scotland, Japan, China, Australia, Thailand, France, Vietnam. Seven countries. Eight dishes. The writer likes most of them. Only the witchetty grubs are too much for him.
Reading II in one sentence. A Nepali chef who started by washing skewers in an Indian kitchen reached the semi-finals of MasterChef in London and now wants a Michelin Star for Nepali cuisine.
Memory device for Reading II. Siraha to Cinnamon Kitchen. Washed skewers. Asked the Executive Chef for a chance. Seven years to Executive Chef. MasterChef semi-final. Michelin Star goal. Never stop learning.
Errors seen in real SEE scripts
- Confusing ferment with congeal. Ferment is a chemical change caused by bacteria or yeast. Congeal is a physical change from liquid to solid. Haggis uses fermentation. Bun rieu uses congealed blood.
- Reading opinion as fact in Reading I. The writer says the witchetty grubs are too much for him. That is his opinion, not a fact about the grubs.
- Mixing up the seven countries. Haggis is Scotland. Shiokara is Japan. Jellyfish is China. Green ants are Australia. Crickets are Thailand. Snails are France. Bun rieu is Vietnam.
- Using so and because interchangeably. So introduces a result. Because introduces a cause. Choosing the wrong one flips the meaning.
- Confusing so that and so. So that introduces purpose. So introduces result.
- Using present continuous for habits. Habits use simple present. She goes to school every day, not she is going to school every day.
- Missing the future use of present continuous. We are meeting Nabina later today is a future arrangement.
- Writing recipes in past tense. Recipes use imperative form. Boil the noodles. Add oil. Stir for two minutes.
Grammar I: Connectives
Connectives join two parts of a sentence. They show the relationship between the parts. Cause, result, purpose, time and contrast. The exam tests whether you can pick the correct one for the meaning you need.
Rule formula
Clause + connective + clause.
Example: I stayed home + because + it was raining.
Table of forms
| Connective | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| because | Cause. Introduces the reason | I stayed home because it was raining. |
| as, since | Cause. Same meaning as because | As it was raining, I stayed home. |
| so | Result. Introduces the effect | It was raining so I stayed home. |
| so that | Purpose. Introduces the goal | I left early so that I could catch the bus. |
| to, in order to | Purpose. Before a verb | I left early to catch the bus. |
| and | Addition | She sings and dances. |
| but | Contrast | He is old but strong. |
| although, though | Contrast. Opposite of because | Although he is old, he is strong. |
| because of | Cause. Before a noun | We stayed home because of the rain. |
How to solve the exercise
Ask what the second part of the sentence is doing in relation to the first. If it gives the reason, use because, as or since. If it gives the effect, use so. If it gives the goal, use so that, to or in order to. If it gives something opposite, use but, although or though.
Worked example
Sentence: "I bought a raincoat and an umbrella ___ the monsoon started." The second part gives the reason. Cause. The correct connective is as.
Sentence: "The construction company has deployed more workers ___ they can complete the construction in time." The second part gives the goal. Purpose. The correct connective is so that.
Common traps
- Because introduces a clause with a subject and verb. Because of introduces a noun. Do not mix them. "Because of it was raining" is wrong.
- So that introduces purpose. So introduces result. Do not swap.
- Although and but do not appear in the same sentence in standard English. Use one or the other.
Grammar II: Present Continuous
Present continuous describes actions happening now, around now, or planned for the future. The exam tests whether you can identify which of the three uses applies. Present continuous is not used for habits.
Rule formula
Subject + am/is/are + verb + ing + object.
Example: The boys + are + play + ing + cricket.
Table of uses
| Use | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Action happening now | At the moment of speaking | The boys are playing cricket now. |
| Action around now | Happening in the current period | I am looking for a new job currently. |
| Future arrangement | A planned event | We are meeting Nabina later today. |
Time expressions
| Use | Time words |
|---|---|
| Now | now, right now, at the moment, currently, still |
| Around now | these days, this month, this week, currently |
| Future | later today, tonight, tomorrow, on Wednesday, this evening |
Worked example
Sentence: "The local governments are announcing their policies this month." The time phrase this month means the action is happening around now. Not at the exact moment. Use is AROUND.
Sentence: "We're meeting with Nabina later today." The time phrase later today means the action is a planned future event. Use is FUTURE.
Common traps
- Do not use present continuous for habits. Habits use simple present. She goes to school every day, not she is going to school every day.
- Do not forget the ing. She is go is wrong. She is going is correct.
- Watch stative verbs. Know, like, want, believe are not used in continuous form in standard English. She is knowing is wrong.
Recipe
Slot. Guided Writing I. Marks. 5. Length. About 100 words.
Title. Name of the dish at the top. Example: Vegetable Chowmein.
Ingredients. List each item with its quantity. One per line. Example: Chowmein noodles 200 grams.
Method. Steps in order. Each step starts with a verb in imperative form. Boil, add, stir, cook.
Serving. Number of servings if relevant.
Language rules. Use imperative form. Not past tense. Not first person. Do not write "I added sugar." Write "Add sugar."
Common mistake. Writing in past tense. Recipes always use commands, not narration.
Argumentative Paragraph
Slot. Free Writing I. Marks. 6. Length. About 150 words.
Opening line. States your position clearly. Agree or disagree. No middle ground in the opening.
Supporting reasons. Two or three reasons with examples. Each reason gets one short paragraph or three to four sentences.
Acknowledgment. One sentence showing you understand the other side. Optional but scores marks.
Closing line. Restates your position without repeating the opening word for word.
Tone. Firm but calm. Do not sound angry. Give reasons, not emotions.
Common mistake. Writing without a clear position. The examiner must know from the first sentence which side you are on.
Reading I: Strange Food from Around the World
This reading explores strange foods from different parts of the world. The writer explains that travelling gives people the chance to try unusual dishes that they would never think of eating at home. Taking a risk with food can feel like an accomplishment. Haggis from Scotland is made by cooking ground sheep organs with spices inside a sheep's stomach. Shiokara from Japan is raw squid mixed with fermented squid belly. Jellyfish from China is served in salads. Green ants from Australia are lemony and peppery. Deep-fried crickets from Thailand are nutty and crunchy. Snails from France are fried with garlic and butter. Bun rieu from Vietnam is a crab-based noodle soup that includes congealed pig's blood.
Glossary
Q. no. A
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | ferment → to go through a chemical change |
| b. | squid → a sea creature that has a long soft body, eight arms and two tentacles around its mouth |
| c. | witchetty → a large whitish wood-eating larva of a beetle or moth |
| d. | myrtle → a bush with shiny leaves, pink or white flowers and blue-black berries |
| e. | congeal → to change from a fluid to a solid state |
| f. | nutty → having a flavour like that of nuts |
Q. no. B
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | get out of hand → to become difficult to control |
| b. | miss the boat → to be too late to get what you want |
| c. | break the ice → to say or do something to make people feel comfortable |
| d. | cry over spilt milk → to worry over past events which cannot be changed |
| e. | look before you leap → to think about the possible bad results of an action before doing it |
Q. no. C
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | winning |
| b. | try strange dishes |
| c. | fermented horse milk |
| d. | simple and delicious |
| e. | jellyfish |
| f. | garlic and butter |
Q. no. D
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | Food becomes a challenge for people when they travel because they have to take chances on things they would not normally even think of eating. It is about experiencing the way other people do things and trusting that they know what they are doing. |
| b. | Haggis is prepared by taking the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep and grinding them up. This is mixed with mutton fat, oatmeal and spices. The mixture is then packed in a sheep's stomach and boiled for a few hours. |
| c. | I feel that I like shiokara once I get used to it and have it with good conversation. This food takes on a whole new beauty. |
| d. | People can enjoy the bush food in Australia. |
| e. | The writer finds it difficult to eat larger insects because anything that requires more than one bite is a bridge too far for him. |
| f. | Snails are served as a main dish in France and Vietnam. |
| g. | Bun rieu is a traditional Vietnamese soup. It is a crab-based soup mixed with noodles. It is topped with roasted tomatoes, crab meat, stewed pork, lime juice, chilli, fresh herbs, banana flower and bean sprouts. A large piece of congealed pig's blood is also added. |
| h. | I would choose the deep-fried crickets from Thailand because the writer describes them as nutty and crunchy and perfect with salt. They sound like a tasty and adventurous snack. |
Q. no. E
The strangest dish mentioned in the text for me is haggis from Scotland. The idea of taking the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep, grinding them up, mixing them with fat and spices and then cooking everything inside a sheep's stomach sounds very unusual. Although the writer says it tastes really good, the method of preparation makes it the most strange dish for me.
Grammar I: Answer Key
Q. no. A
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | I bought a raincoat and an umbrella as the monsoon started. |
| b. | I won't be able to get to school on time as I'm stuck in traffic. |
| c. | The Nepali cricket team is likely to perform well because they have got the best coach ever. |
| d. | The construction company has deployed more workers so that they can complete the construction in time. |
| e. | We've decided not to go on holiday this year in order to utilise the time for planting paddy. |
| f. | The metropolitan city has planted trees at the side of the road to reduce traffic noise. |
| g. | The flight had been delayed because of the bad weather. |
| h. | We've put a table and chair in the spare bedroom so that Samip can get to study in private. |
| i. | Nisha went to visit her sister since she didn't have to go to her office yesterday. |
| j. | We had to queue for two hours since the movie was a hit. |
Q. no. B
The people at the fair were leaving because the lights were going out. The last two people in dodgem cars also left as it was getting dark. The big wheel stopped and the merry-go-round had already stopped. The stalls closed down and the stall-owners went home. At 2 a.m. four nightwatchmen walked round the funfair to see if there was anyone to be seen. "I'm fed up walking around," one of them said, "What can we do as there is nothing we can do?" "We can sit and talk." They were bored because there was nothing to do on that quiet warm night. "We can have a ride on the merry-go-round!" one of them cried. "That'll be fun!" Three of them jumped on merry-go-round horses. So the fourth started the motor. Then he jumped on too and round they went. They were having the time of their lives. Suddenly they realized there was no one to stop the machine because all of them were on it. They weren't rescued till morning, so they felt very sick indeed!
Writing I: Answer Key
Q. no. A
Method:
Switch on the stove and melt ghee in a pan.
Add grated carrots and fry for about seven minutes.
When carrot turns slightly golden brown, add milk.
Cook this mixture till all milk dries up.
Add sugar and cardamom powder after the milk dries up.
Cook for four more minutes.
Turn off the stove, gajar haluwa is ready to serve.
Q. no. B
Recipe: Vegetable Chowmein
Ingredients:
Method:
Reading II: You Inspire Others by Learning, not by Teaching
This reading is an interview with Nepali chef Santosh Shah, who was shortlisted in the semi-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 on BBC One. Coming from a humble background, Shah lost his father at age five and started working at a young age. After failing SLC, he went to India where he began washing skewers in a hotel kitchen. Through hard work and determination, he became an executive chef within seven years. Shah wants to introduce the world to authentic Nepali cuisine beyond just momo and dal-bhat. He believes Nepali food is unique and diverse with dishes like yomari, choila, kachila, tama and gundruk. His advice to young people is to never stop learning. His ultimate goal is to earn a Michelin Star for his restaurant Ayla.
Glossary
Q. no. A
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| 3. Across | TANDOOR |
| 7. Across | EXECUTIVE |
| 1. Down | SKEWER |
| 2. Down | ENTIRETY |
| 4. Down | NOSTALGIA |
| 5. Down | ELEVATE |
| 6. Down | DEHYDRATE |
Q. no. B
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | False |
| b. | NG |
| c. | False |
| d. | False |
| e. | True |
| f. | True |
| g. | True |
| h. | False |
Q. no. C
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | Chef Shah's popularity heightened because he was shortlisted in the semis for the title of MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 on BBC One. This platform gave him the chance to introduce Nepali food to the world. |
| b. | No, Shah did not spend a normal childhood. His father passed away when he was five years old. He started working when he was around nine or ten years old engaging in petty trade. After failing SLC, he went to India like others in his village. |
| c. | Shah feels good about his journey. He started by washing skewers of a chef who worked in the tandoor section. He requested the Executive Chef for a chance and got it. Within seven years of hard work, he became an executive chef himself. |
| d. | Shah wants to show the world that Nepali food is unique and diverse. It is not just influenced by Tibetan and Indian cuisine. There are dishes like yomari, choila, kachila, tama and gundruk that are not found outside Nepal. The food varies by castes, geography, techniques and ingredients. |
| e. | Chef Shah was careful about dehydrating the sukuti for different periods of time to soften it. He also made sure the original taste was not lost while making it palatable for outsiders unfamiliar with the texture. |
| f. | According to Shah, the two things that make a person successful are never stopping to learn and always asking what is next. He believes a person is never too old to learn new things and improve their craft. |
| g. | Shah wants the Michelin Star for Ayla because it is the Oscar equivalent for chefs. Getting it would help elevate the profile of Nepali cuisine globally. |
| h. | I have learnt that hard work and continuous learning can help a person achieve great success. Despite coming from a humble background and facing many struggles, Chef Shah never gave up. He kept learning new skills and experimenting with food. His journey teaches me that dedication and passion can take a person far in life. |
Q. no. D
If I were one of the judges, I would ask Chef Shah to cook yomari. Yomari is a traditional Newari sweet dish that is unique to Nepal. It is made from rice flour and filled with molasses or khuwa. Since Chef Shah wants to introduce Nepali food to the world, this dish would be perfect because it is completely different from anything found in other cuisines. Its sweet taste and soft texture would surprise the global audience and show them the diversity of Nepali food beyond momo and dal-bhat.
Grammar II: Answer Key
Q. no. A
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | now |
| b. | this |
| c. | at the moment |
| d. | Currently |
| e. | now |
| f. | this |
| g. | this |
| h. | now |
| i. | still |
Q. no. B
| Q.no. | Answer |
|---|---|
| a. | AROUND |
| b. | NOW |
| c. | FUTURE |
| d. | AROUND |
| e. | FUTURE |
| f. | NOW |
| g. | FUTURE |
| h. | NOW |
| i. | AROUND |
Q. no. C
Why is Neelam smiling? It sounds like an easy question. She is having a good time with friends and she is feeling good after a good shot. But psychologists often argue about this question. Some believe that smiling is an individual act. We smile because we feel happy unless we are trying to hide our emotions. Others claim that we smile to build social relationships. Some animals use a grin to show that they will not fight, for example. Perhaps our smile serves the same function. So, who's right? In one study, researchers filmed people bowling. If you watch people doing a very social activity like this, it looks as if they always are smiling. They stop smiling only when they are concentrating on their next shot. But when do they start smiling again? After each good shot, the researchers took photographs to identify when the smile starts. Is it while the player is still looking down the alley, or a few seconds later when they turn round to share their happiness with the group?
Writing II: Answer Key
I fully agree that the growing preference for fast food among Nepali people is having an adverse effect on their health. Fast foods like noodles, pizza and burgers are high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats. They lack the essential nutrients that our body needs. Regular consumption of these foods leads to serious health problems like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. In the past, Nepali people ate home-cooked meals like dal-bhat, green vegetables and lentils which provided a balanced diet. Today, many young people are replacing these nutritious meals with packaged and processed foods that offer convenience but harm their health in the long run.
Another problem is that fast food culture is causing people to move away from traditional Nepali food habits. Dishes like gundruk, dhido, sisnu and other local foods are rich in fibre and natural nutrients. They have sustained our ancestors for generations. When we abandon these foods for burgers and noodles, we lose not only our health but also our food heritage. The rising number of lifestyle diseases in Nepal is clear evidence that fast food is doing more harm than good. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about healthy eating and encourage young people to value traditional Nepali cuisine. Fast food should be an occasional treat, not a daily habit.
Questions beyond the textbook exercises
These questions follow the SEE paper format. All content is drawn from Unit 6 only. Answers are not provided.
True or False
- The writer of Reading I enjoyed every dish he tried during his travels.
- Haggis is prepared by boiling sheep organs inside a sheep's stomach.
- Shiokara is a Chinese dish made from fermented squid.
- Santosh Shah became an executive chef within seven years of hard work.
- Santosh Shah wants to open a restaurant in Kathmandu.
Fill in the Gaps
- Bun rieu is a traditional Vietnamese soup made from __________.
- Snails are fried with plenty of __________ and butter.
- Santosh Shah was shortlisted in the semi-finals of __________ on BBC One.
- Shah wants to earn a __________ for his restaurant Ayla.
- The writer felt disappointed by fermented __________ in Mongolia.
Short Answer
- Why does the writer say that taking a risk with food is like winning?
- What does the writer mean when he says larger insects are "a bridge too far"?
- What is the main advice Santosh Shah gives to young Nepalis?
Grammar: Connectives
- She stayed home _____ she was feeling unwell. (because / so)
- He worked hard _____ he could win the scholarship. (so that / so)
- We left early _____ avoid the traffic. (in order to / because)
- _____ the heavy rain, the match was cancelled. (Because / Because of)
- She is very young, _____ she is very talented. (and / but)
Grammar: Present Continuous
- Look, the children _____ in the garden. (play)
- I _____ for a new house these days. (look)
- We _____ our teacher tomorrow evening. (visit)
- Why _____ you _____ at me like that? (look)
- She _____ a novel at the moment. (read)