©(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What makes a restaurant special to you?
- What would your dream restaurant look like?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- claim /kleym/
- cellar /SEL-er/
- evidence /EV-i-duhns/
- candidate /KAN-di-deyt/
- operate /OP-uh-reyt/
[verb] – to say that something is true, often without proof
The company claims its new phone lasts three days without charging.
[noun] – a room below a building, usually used for storing things like wine or food
The family kept homemade cheese in the cellar to stay cool.
[noun] – information or facts that show something is true or exists
There is no clear evidence that the painting is a real Picasso.
[noun] – a person or thing that is being considered for something (like a job or an award)
This book is a good candidate for the Best Novel award.
[verb] – to run or manage something like a business or system
The hotel has operated under the same name for over 50 years.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In Madrid, Spain, a tavern named Casa Pedro claims to be older than the famous restaurant Sobrino de Botín. Botín is known for holding a Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest restaurant, operating since 1725. It is located near Madrid’s city center and attracts many visitors. Casa Pedro, found on the city’s edge, believes it started serving guests in 1702. To support this claim, the owners hired a historian who found national records from 1750. These documents, linked to the First Marquess of Ensenada, showed that a tavern, wine cellar, and lodging place existed in the area at that time. If more evidence is found, Casa Pedro may become a new candidate for the Guinness title.
To win this title, Guinness World Records requires strong proof. A spokesperson said the restaurant must show it has operated in the same place and with the same name for many years. Casa Pedro’s original town records were lost in the Spanish Civil War, making the process more difficult. The owners are still trying to find more documents. Both Casa Pedro and Botín are family-run and serve traditional Castilian food, but only Botín is well-known around the world. Experts say places like Casa Pedro help protect local culture. The final decision depends on whether enough evidence can be found.
To win this title, Guinness World Records requires strong proof. A spokesperson said the restaurant must show it has operated in the same place and with the same name for many years. Casa Pedro’s original town records were lost in the Spanish Civil War, making the process more difficult. The owners are still trying to find more documents. Both Casa Pedro and Botín are family-run and serve traditional Castilian food, but only Botín is well-known around the world. Experts say places like Casa Pedro help protect local culture. The final decision depends on whether enough evidence can be found.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where is Casa Pedro located?
- What does Casa Pedro claim about its history?
- When did Botín start operating?
- Where can people find Botín in the city?
- What does Guinness World Records need to give the title?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever eaten at a very old restaurant or café? If yes, where was it, and what did you eat? If not, would you like to try eating in one? Why or why not?
- Have you visited a place that teaches you about history, like a museum or an old building? If yes, what did you learn there? If not, what kind of place would you like to visit in the future?
- Do you agree that a restaurant with a long history is more interesting than a new one?
- Why do you think some restaurants want to be in the Guinness World Records?
- What are the benefits and challenges of keeping a family business for many generations?