American Fast Food – Culture, Choices, and Conversation

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Length: 60–90 minutes
Focus: Vocabulary, speaking, reading, cultural awareness, grammar (countable/uncountable nouns)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Use common vocabulary related to fast food and ordering.
  • Talk about their eating habits and preferences.
  • Compare American fast food culture with their own.
  • Practice using countable/uncountable nouns (e.g., a burger / some fries / a lot of soda).

Materials Needed

  • Printed or projected pictures of popular American fast food (McDonald’s, Taco Bell, In-N-Out, etc.)
  • Short reading text (included below)
  • Fast food menu (real or fake)
  • Whiteboard or shared online document
  • Optional: short video clip about American fast food culture (e.g., YouTube)

Warm-up Discussion 

Ask students:

  • Do you like fast food?
  • What fast food restaurants are in your country?
  • How often do you eat fast food?
  • What do you usually order?

Vocabulary to Elicit/Pre-teach:
burger, fries, soda, nuggets, combo, ketchup, drive-thru, takeout, large/medium/small, unhealthy, delicious

 

Vocabulary Match 

Give students a handout or shared screen with two columns:
Column A – pictures of fast food items
Column B – words or short descriptions
Students match the word/description to the correct image. Then check together.

Challenge task: Which of these are countable or uncountable? (e.g., “a burger” = countable, “fries” = uncountable/plural)

 

Reading Task – Fast Food in America

Reading Text (simplified):

In the United States, fast food is very popular. Many people eat fast food for lunch or dinner. The most common fast food restaurants are McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC. Americans usually order a combo meal – this includes a burger or sandwich, fries, and a drink. Some people say fast food is cheap and convenient, but others think it is unhealthy. Now, some fast food places offer salads and healthier options.

Comprehension Questions:

  • Why do Americans eat fast food?
  • What is a combo meal?
  • What are some popular fast food chains?
  • Are there any healthy options?

 

Grammar Focus – Countable & Uncountable Nouns (10 minutes)

Brief review or guided discovery:

  • Countable: a burger, a drink, two nuggets
  • Uncountable: fries, soda, cheese, ketchup

Mini practice:
Students correct mistakes:

  • I want some burgers.
  • I want a fries.
  • There is a lot of sodas.
  • I don’t eat much fast food.

 

Role-Play Activity – At the Fast Food Restaurant (15–20 minutes)

Set up pairs: One is the cashier, one is the customer.
Use a sample fast food menu (you can make your own with prices).
Students practice ordering food and taking orders.

Useful phrases:

  • Can I take your order?
  • I’d like a cheeseburger and fries.
  • Would you like a drink with that?
  • For here or to go?
  • That’ll be $7.50.

Rotate partners and repeat.

 

Cultural Comparison Discussion

Small group or pair discussion:

  • What’s different between American fast food and fast food in your country?
  • Do you think fast food is a problem? Why or why not?
  • Should fast food restaurants offer healthier food?

 

Wrap-Up Game – “Fast Food Chain Challenge” 

In teams, students take turns naming fast food chains (international or local). No repeats. If someone hesitates too long, they’re out.

Optional follow-up: students rank fast food items from healthiest to least healthy, or create their own “perfect fast food combo.”

American Fast Food – Worksheet

Words:

  1. Burger
  2. Fries
  3. Nuggets
  4. Soda
  5. Ketchup
  6. Combo meal
  7. Drive-thru
  8. Takeout

Descriptions:

A. Small pieces of fried chicken: ____________
B. A sandwich with meat, lettuce, and sauce: ____________
C. Thin, fried potatoes: ____________
D. A sweet, fizzy drink: ____________
E. Red sauce made from tomatoes: ____________
F. Food you order and take home: ____________
G. A meal with a burger, fries, and drink: ____________
H. A place to order food from your car: ____________

Grammar Focus: Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Correct the mistakes in the sentences.

  1. I want a fries. → ________________________
  2. There is a lot of sodas. → ________________________
  3. I usually eat some burger and nuggets. → ________________________
  4. Can I have a drink and some ketchup? → ________________________
  5. I don’t eat much fast foods. → ________________________

Speaking Role-Play – At the Fast Food Restaurant

Instructions: Work with a partner. One person is the cashier, the other is the customer. Use the menu below. Practice ordering food and taking orders.

 

Fast Food Menu

BURGERS

  • Classic Burger – $4.50
  • Cheeseburger – $5.00
  • Double bacon Cheeseburger – $6.00

SIDES

  • Fries – $2.00
  • Nuggets (6 pcs) – $3.50
  • Onion Rings – $2.50

DRINKS

  • Soda (small/medium/large) – $1.50 / $2.00 / $2.50
  • Water – $1.00
  • Milkshake – $3.00

COMBO MEALS
(Burger + Fries + Medium Drink)

  • Classic Combo – $7.50
  • Cheeseburger Combo – $8.00
  • Double Combo – $9.00

Useful phrases for the cashier:

  • Can I take your order?
  • Would you like a drink with that?
  • For here or to go?
  • That’ll be $____.

Useful phrases for the customer:

  • I’d like a cheeseburger combo, please.
  • Can I have a milkshake instead of soda?
  • To go, please.

Reading Assignment: American Fast Food Culture

Fast, Cheap, and Everywhere: The Story of American Fast Food

 

Fast food is a big part of life in the United States. You can find fast food restaurants almost everywhere — in cities, at gas stations, near schools, and even inside shopping malls. Many Americans eat fast food at least once or twice a week. Some people eat it even more often.

 

The first fast food restaurants in America appeared in the 1920s and 1930s. White Castle, which started in 1921, was one of the first. McDonald’s became famous in the 1950s, and it quickly grew into one of the largest fast food companies in the world. Today, there are thousands of McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. and in many other countries.

 

Fast food is popular because it is cheap, fast, and easy to get. You don’t have to wait a long time, and you don’t need to leave a tip. Most restaurants also have drive-thru windows, so people can order from their cars. Combo meals are very common — you get a main item (like a burger), a side (usually fries), and a drink (like soda) for a special price.

 

However, not everyone loves fast food. Health experts often say that it contains too much salt, sugar, and fat. Eating a lot of fast food can cause health problems like obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In response, some fast food companies now offer healthier choices like salads, grilled chicken, fruit, and water instead of soda.

 

American fast food culture has also spread around the world. You can find American-style fast food in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. In some places, the menu is a little different. For example, McDonald’s in India doesn’t sell beef burgers — they offer chicken or vegetarian options instead.

 

Fast food may not be the healthiest choice, but it is a big part of modern life. It shows how busy people are and how much they value convenience. Whether people love it or avoid it, fast food is likely to stay a part of American culture for many years.

 

General Understanding Questions (Short Answer)

  1. Why is fast food popular in the United States?
  2. What is a combo meal?
  3. What health problems can fast food cause?
  4. How have fast food companies tried to become healthier?
  5. Why is the fast food menu different in India?

 

Detailed Comprehension – True or False

Write T (True) or F (False). Correct the false statements.

  1. White Castle started in 1950.
  2. Combo meals usually include a main item, a side, and a drink.
  3. Fast food restaurants in the U.S. are only found in big cities.
  4. American fast food can now be found in many countries around the world.
  5. People never order fast food from their cars.

 

Discussion Questions (Optional – Speaking or Writing)

  1. Do you have American fast food restaurants in your country? Which ones?
  2. Do you think fast food is more convenient or more unhealthy? Why?
  3. What would your perfect fast food meal include?

Homework (optional):

Write a short paragraph (6–8 sentences):

“Describe your favorite fast food meal. Where do you get it? What do you usually order? Why do you like it?”

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