英语听力精选进阶版 6442（在线收听）

What to cook when you have guests? I always feel like I'm walking on eggshells when I have to prepare a dinner party for new friends or people I don't know well.

Some eaters are picky and don't like cheese. Others can't stand a particular vegetable. And even puddings have their critics. Attitudes towards food can be formed during childhood and have an impact on the rest of their lives.

President George Bush senior, for example, banned broccoli aboard the presidential plane, Air Force One. ''I do not like broccoli!'' the President said in 1990. ''And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli!''

It left a bitter taste in the mouth of the American farmers who produced the vegetable.

Dr Emma Uprichard from the University of Warwick published a study on food hates. It revealed common patterns in the foods British people reject.

They don't like milk puddings - semolina and rice pudding - often associated with school dinners of the 50s and 60s.

But it's not only bad memories that make us turn our noses up at certain foods. There are biological reasons too. Scientists researching genetic differences say there are various groups of ''tasters''.

The one they call ''super tasters'' are more likely to have strong aversions to bitter foods such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. I always keep my fingers crossed that none of my dinner party guests are in this group.

And food is about cultural diversity too. The British don't eat horse meat. Brazilians like a black bean stew with pork which, in the experience of a Brazilian cooking for friends here in London, isn't popular with Kurdish people.

Sometimes I think the life of a host would be easier if we could just serve everybody a simple omelette, seasoned with love and friendship.

What about you? If I invited you for dinner what would you like me to cook for you?

Quiz 测验

1. Who banned broccoli from Air Force One?

US President George Bush senior.

2. British people don't like eating which foods?

Milk puddings, like semolina and rice pudding, and horse meat.

3. Who says there are different types of ''tasters''?

Scientists researching genetic differences.

4. What didn't the Kurdish guests at a dinner party like?

Brazilian black bean stew with pork.

5. What do you call habits people from different countries have?

Cultural diversity.

Glossary 词汇表

to walk on eggshells 如履薄冰

picky 好挑剔的

critic 批评者

attitude 态度

broccoli 西兰花

a bitter taste 一种苦味儿

a common pattern 一个普遍的模式

to reject 不喜欢

semolina 粗粒小麦粉

to turn (our) noses up 不屑一顾

an aversion to (something) 厌恶某物

bitter 苦味的

a Brussels sprout 抱子甘蓝

a host 主人

to season 调味