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Hard: Upper intermediate level and above, B2 and above 

Introduction

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1      For many of us, sandwiches are something simple. Something we can take to work or school to avoid having to cook lunch, something we can buy quickly and cheaply. For many of us, we don't even need to stop working to eat them. Sandwiches could possibly be the ultimate convenience food.

2     But now it seems people are realising that the humble sandwich can be so much more. There's nothing convenient about waiting an hour and paying five times the price of a supermarket sarnie, but that's exactly what customers at one London sandwich shop have been doing. What is it that makes people so keen to get their hands on these £12 sandwiches?

3     Firstly, it's the ingredients. As baking has become more popular, good quality bread is both available and expected. The brains behind many of these gourmet sandwich shops are often people who have worked in the kitchens of top, Michelin-starred restaurants. This means that they bring a fine-dining attitude to their sandwiches, sourcing the best and freshest ingredients, combining them in new and creative ways. Secondly, it's the size. Max Halley, owner of a similar sandwich shop, boasts that the sandwiches his shop makes are twice the size of most burgers.

4  Finally, having sandwiches that look both huge and delicious is perfect for social media. While they may be more expensive than supermarket sandwiches, they are far more accessible than many other dining options. Being enticing, affordable, and trendy is an almost guaranteed way to attract attention online and bring crowds to the shops' doors. That's what's leading some to spend most of their lunch hour queueing up for a bite.

5 And why not? They might be a bit too expensive to have every day, but taking time away from your desk to eat something that has been thoughtfully prepared from fresh, high-quality ingredients isn't a bad thing. It could be a good alternative to munching on industrially-produced supermarket sandwiches at your desk while staring at a spreadsheet.

Questions

1.   Choose the best summary for the article.

a. Gourmet sandwiches have become popular.
b. People can't work and eat sandwiches at the same time.
a. Sandwiches are always very simple and basic.

2.    Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. Why do many people like gourmet sandwiches?
a. They are cheaper than supermarket sandwiches.
b. They are faster to make.
c. They use high-quality ingredients and creative recipes.

2. Why do people share these sandwiches on social media?
a. They look good.
b. They are free.
c. They are very healthy.

3. Max Halley thinks that his sandwiches are pretty big.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

4. According to the writer, what is a good alternative to supermarket sandwiches?
a. skipping lunch
b. eating fast food every day
c. eating thoughtfully prepared fresh sandwiches

5. These sandwiches less expensive than burgers. 
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3.    Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Many people buy sandwiches because they are quick and to eat at Many people enjoy eating sandwiches because they are easy to 1) ________ and take to work or school. However, some shops now sell 2) ________ sandwiches made with fresh bread and high-quality meat. The chefs 3) ________ choose each ingredient to make the sandwiches taste better. After people shared photos online, these sandwiches became very 4) ________. Even though they are expensive, they are still more 5) ________ than many fine-dining restaurants.

accessible
sarnie
get your hands on
gourmet
source
thoughtfully
trendy

Vocabulary 

convenience food
food that is quick and easy to prepare

humble
simple and ordinary

sarnie
a sandwich (British informal word)

get your hands on
get or obtain something

gourmet
high quality and often expensive food

Michelin-starred
awarded stars for excellent cooking by the Michelin Guide

fine-dining
elegant and expensive restaurant dining

source
get something from a place or supplier

boast
proudly have or show something good

accessible
easy to get, reach, or use

enticing
attractive and tempting

trendy
fashionable and popular

thoughtfully
done with care and attention

Answers

1.    Choose the best summary for the article.

a. Gourmet sandwiches have become popular.

2.    Choose the correct option based on the content of the article. 

1. c.This means that they bring a fine-dining attitude to their sandwiches, sourcing the best and freshest ingredients, combining them in new and creative ways.

2. a.Finally, having sandwiches that look both huge and delicious is perfect for social media.

3. a. True.Max Halley, owner of a similar sandwich shop, boasts that the sandwiches his shop makes are twice the size of most burgers.

4. c. Taking time away from your desk to eat something that has been thoughtfully prepared from fresh, high-quality ingredients isn't a bad thing.

5. c. Not given. The sandwiches are affordable, but it isn't mentioned if they are more or less expensive than burgers. 

3.    Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Many people enjoy eating sandwiches because they are easy to get your hands on and take to work or school. However, some shops now sell gourmet sandwiches made with fresh bread and high-quality meat. The chefs thoughtfully choose each ingredient to make the sandwiches taste better. After people shared photos online, these sandwiches became very trendy. Even though they are expensive, they are still more accessible than many fine-dining restaurants.

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