Read and choose the correct parts of sentences A-G to complete the gaps. There is one extra part

• A. which was one of the most exciting things about the entire trip
• B. who would be in charge of the course
• C. which we purchased for use in the lesson
• D. but there was far too much liquid
• E. when it was time for a new experience
• F. but it certainly didn't feel like it at the time
• G. which filled the kitchen and made our mouths water

Exotic Cooking

I have loved cooking ever since I was a young girl, and so I was very excited when, last year, my husband treated me to a cooking holiday in Thailand. We flew out to Bangkok in early July, ready to sample the delights Thailand had to offer. After a few hours spent recovering from the journey, we were invited to meet the chef[A|B|C|D|E|F|G]. He tried to give us an introduction, but it was hard to concentrate on what he was saying as a team of waiters kept bringing us more Thai specialities to try. Every dish was full of fresh, exotic flavours, especially to an English palate used to a very different cuisine. As we savoured the food, the chef told us that the following day we would make an early start in order to visit the local food markets.

Promptly at 7am the following morning, we met and headed off. I was amazed at the markets. There were tiny, red and green chillies in profusion [A|B|C|D|E|F|G]. We then went in search of more seasonings. As we followed the chef among the stalls, we were met with a heady mixof aromas. I was familiar with things like garlic and coriander as I had used them in England, but others were native to Thailand and I was eager to start cooking with these novel ingredients.

On our return, we went straight to the kitchen to begin our first lesson in Thai cooking. None of us were professionals, and every now and then you would hear some giggling as we tried to deal with the unfamiliar ingredients. After learning how to dice, chop and combine various herbs and spices, it was time to cook. As the contents of the various pots and pans gently simmered, there was a delicious aroma [A|B|C|D|E|F|G].

At the end of the lesson, we put our completed dishes on a central table and the chef tasted each one, commenting on their flavour and texture. Apparently, mine had the right degree of spice in its flavour, [A|B|C|D|E|F|G]. We took the constructive criticism in good spirits, sometimes laughing out loud at the politely-phrased comments. Finally, we all had the chance to try the dishes and, for a first attempt, our meals turned out pretty well.

Lessons continued in this manner until day four[A|B|C|D|E|F|G]. The chef took us to a hotel in the mountains outside Bangkok. We visited the rice paddies which cover the slopes. It was fascinating to see rice growing, rather than in packets on supermarket shelves. Thatevening we made three different rice-based meals and learnt about the different types of rice used in Thai dishes.

After an exhausting day, we sat on the hotel terrace drinking delicious Thai tea with cinnamon and vanilla. It was then that our teacher decided to spring his surprise on us: on our last night back in Bangkok, we would be left to prepare our own Thai meal, to be served up to the guests of the hotel! He insisted that we were competent and, anyway, he would be on hand to help. Looking back now, it was a great idea, [A|B|C|D|E|F|G]. The guests applauded our efforts, and we were proud to have rounded off a wonderful holiday in such fine style.