Read the text. Open the cards and do the task

Now American diner is known as a small cafe or bistro you can find on highways all over the USA. But first American diners started as wagons on wheels in the 1870s. Wagons were turned into counters that sold sandwiches, coffee and breakfast 24 hours a day. They were aimed at people who worked late, or anyone who would like to have a meal any time of the day. The concept turned out to be a great business idea, and soon first dining cars manufacturers appeared. First dining cars had a simple design, big wheels and small counters. The wheels were getting smaller and the counters were becoming larger, and finally, in 1913 the first stationary diner opened.

After World War I, diners have gone through some changes. They were run by women, and the meals were advertised as homemade. In 1930 diners started to have a chrome futuristic design to reflect the modern era. Low prices on the menu let diners stay in business during hard times.

After World War II, the demand for diners had increased like never before. The number of diner manufacturers had grown 4 times since the beginning of the century. The look of the diners changed as well, they had stainless steel exterior with large windows.

Diners always served traditional American cuisine, i.e. hamburgers, club sandwiches and French fries. Most diners also specialised in common breakfast dishes, i.e. an omelette, fried eggs, bacon, pancakes and waffles. They mostly served fried or grilled food. But sometimes the menu was influenced by its owner's culture and heritage. For example, some diners run by the Greek could include gyros.

The diner is undoubtedly an American symbol. Many films and TV series were set in diners. They are now known as a place where any kind of person can come and have a meal. Many presidents stopped at diners to have lunch and communicate with voters. Some diners were turned into museums, but mostly they are still places to eat out after a long working shift or on during your journey across America.

Choose the number to put the sentences in the chronological order.

• [1|2|3|4|5|6] Diners became stationary.
• [1|2|3|4|5|6] American diners were wagons on wheels.
• [1|2|3|4|5|6]The number of diner manufacturers grew due to high demand.
• [1|2|3|4|5|6]Diners had small counters and big wheels.
• [1|2|3|4|5|6]First diner cars manufacturers appeared.
• [1|2|3|4|5|6]Women stepped in the diner business.

Task 1
Choose the correct options to finish the sentences.

First Wagons worked

• 24/7.
• only for factory workers.
• in the city centres.

First dining cars had

• big wheels and small counters.
• small wheels and big counters.
• no wheels and small counters.

After World War I,

• diners were having really hard times.
• women started to work in diners.
• all diners in the country were closed.

After World War II,

• people stopped eating out at diners.
• meals in diners became healthier.
• more people started to go to diners.

The menus in diners

• were the same in every diner.
• couldn't be changed.
• could have some variety.

Presidents stop at diners

• to talk to people who will vote for them later.
• because diners serve the best dishes in America.
• only in films.

Task 2