Fruits and Vegetables

Rahul goes to the local market with his mother and learns the names of different fruits and vegetables.

Meanings in Rahul, Sunita (mother), Vendor

Key words and phrases

applea round, crisp fruit, usually red or greenHe picked a red apple from the basket.

bananaa long, curved yellow fruitHe eats a banana every morning.

mangoa sweet, juicy orange-yellow fruitMango is his favorite summer fruit.

potatoa round, starchy vegetable that grows undergroundShe bought a kilo of potatoes.

tomatoa soft, round, red vegetable used in cookingThe tomatoes looked fresh today.

carrota long, orange root vegetableHe likes to munch on a raw carrot.

vendora person who sells goods, often in a marketThe vendor weighed the vegetables carefully.

freshrecently picked or made, not oldThese vegetables look very fresh.

weighto measure how heavy something isThe vendor weighed the apples on a scale.

basketa container used to carry or hold itemsShe filled her basket with fresh produce.

oniona round vegetable with a strong smell and taste, used in cookingMom asked the vendor for half a kilo of onions.

cucumbera long, green vegetable eaten raw in saladsRahul likes cucumber slices with salt.

spinacha leafy green vegetable rich in ironSunita cooks spinach with garlic and butter.

orangea round citrus fruit with orange-colored skinHe peeled an orange and shared it with his sister.

grapessmall, round fruits that grow in bunchesShe washed the grapes before eating them.

watermelona large, round fruit with sweet red flesh and a green rindWatermelon is refreshing on a hot day.

cabbagea round vegetable with tightly packed green leavesThe vendor sold a fresh cabbage for twenty rupees.

cauliflowera vegetable with a large white head made of tiny floretsRahul's favorite dish is potato and cauliflower curry.

papayaa soft, orange-fleshed tropical fruitPapaya is good for digestion.

pomegranatea round fruit with a tough red skin and many juicy seedsShe likes to eat pomegranate seeds with a spoon.

Useful sentences

Ask Can I have a banana, please?
Answer Sure, here you go.
Ask How much do these tomatoes cost?
Answer Thirty rupees a kilo.
Ask Are these mangoes fresh?
Answer Yes, they arrived this morning.
Ask Can you weigh a kilo of potatoes for me?
Answer Of course, one moment please.
Ask Which fruit is your favorite, Rahul?
Answer I love mangoes the most!
Ask Do you have fresh onions today?
Answer Yes, they just came in this morning.
Ask Can I get a cucumber and a cabbage?
Answer Sure, that will be forty rupees.
Ask Is spinach good for me, Mom?
Answer Yes, it's full of iron and very healthy.
Ask Can we buy a watermelon for tonight?
Answer Yes, let's pick a ripe one.
Ask Do you like papaya or pomegranate more?
Answer I like pomegranate seeds more.

Dialogue

SunitaRahul, can you help me pick some fresh vegetables?

RahulYes, Mom! What do we need today?

SunitaWe need tomatoes, potatoes, and some carrots.

VendorThese tomatoes are very fresh today, madam.

SunitaGreat, please weigh a kilo for us.

RahulMom, can we also buy some mangoes and bananas?

SunitaYes, and let's also get some spinach and cauliflower for dinner.

VendorI also have fresh papayas and pomegranates today, madam.

RahulCan we get a pomegranate too? I love the seeds!

SunitaAlright, one pomegranate and one papaya, please.

Common mistakes

Saying "I eat fruits daily" instead of "I eat fruit daily" (in general statements, "fruit" is often used without an -s).
Saying "How much this tomato?" instead of "How much do these tomatoes cost?" or "How much are the tomatoes?"
Saying "Vegetable is fresh" instead of "The vegetables are fresh" (use the plural form for a general group).
Saying "One grape" for the fruit in general instead of "Grapes" (grapes are almost always spoken of in the plural).
Saying "Give me potato" instead of "Give me a potato" or "Give me some potatoes" (use an article or "some" with countable nouns).
Saying "Cabbage is a fruit" instead of "Cabbage is a vegetable" (mixing up fruit and vegetable categories).

Quick quiz

1. What do you call a person who sells goods, often in a market?

2. Complete: "These vegetables look very ___."

3. What is a long, orange root vegetable called?

4. Which vegetable has a strong smell and taste and is used in almost every dish?

5. Complete: "___ is refreshing on a hot day."

6. What fruit has a tough red skin and many juicy seeds?

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