Learning to Cook
Read and practice vocabulary with this graded reading passage
Reading
When I was a student, I could only make two things: toast and instant noodles. But when I moved into my own apartment, I realized I needed to learn to cook.
I started with simple recipes from the internet. My first attempt was pasta with tomato sauce. I boiled the pasta for too long and it became very soft. The sauce was too salty. But I ate it anyway!
Gradually, I got better. My grandmother taught me how to make her famous chicken soup. She showed me how to cut the vegetables properly and add the right amount of spice.
“The secret is patience,” she said. “Good food takes time.”
Now I can cook about twenty different dishes. My favourite is fried rice with vegetables. It’s quick, healthy, and everyone loves it.
Last month, I even made a birthday cake for my sister. It didn’t look perfect, but it tasted delicious. She said it was the best present she received.
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| realize | v. | become aware of |
| recipe | n. | instructions for cooking |
| gradually | adv. | slowly, step by step |
| patience | n. | ability to wait calmly |
| taste | v. | have a particular flavour |
Comprehension Questions
- What could the writer cook as a student?
- What went wrong with the first pasta?
- What is the grandmother’s cooking secret?
- What is the writer’s favourite dish?