English Form 2

Mum was up rather early that morning. I ran into the kitchen and ____ her humming a happy tune. I could sense that she was in a good mood.

• found

• find

She pinched some pre-soaked mustard seeds, ready to grind them into a paste with her grinding stone - a big rolling pin made ____ raw granite. This rolling pin rolled over a thick flat granite slab.

• of

• in

I offered to help her grind the mustard seeds and when I was done, I ____ some chillies into a paste.

• grind

• ground

We ____ the electric blender back then, no doubt, but on that particular day, it had to be done the traditional way.

• had

• have

While I ___ at it, she lightly fried several pieces of fish which had been marinated with salt and turmeric.

• was

• am

Mum loved to _____ her time in the kitchen. She could spend hours cooking up a storm.

• spending

• spend

Mustard oil was heated in a pan and then ___ tenderly put in the five spices.

• her

• she

Next, she slowly added the mustard paste and red chilli paste to sauté before putting ___ the fish pieces to simmer gently.

• in

• away

After a while, the gravy was at ___ right consistency. Mum's eyes twinkled with happiness.

• a

• the

A feeling of pure joy swept ____ her as she proudly announced "Fish in Mustard Gravy".

• away

• over