Last year while I was on holiday in Greece, I decided to try oysters for the first time. I really wanted to taste them as there were so many people who loved them and the same number of people who hated them. So, on the one hand, I wanted to form my own opinion on this type of seafood. On the other, I was a bit afraid. The place we stayed in was right by the sea, so my friends persuaded me this was the best opportunity to duly appreciate the taste of oysters as they were supposed to be really fresh there.

We went to a seafood restaurant and ordered a large plate of oysters. Although they were expensive, I thought there wouldn't be a better chance in the near future, so I was determined to taste them come what may.

My friends started eating, saying every other second how delicious they were. I plucked up my courage, took the first oyster and slurped it before I changed my mind.

When my mouth was filled with slime, I had to swallow this slippery liquid just because there were many people around. But if I had been at home, I would have spitted it out immediately as the texture was just horrible. Needless to say, they didn't meet my expectations and I couldn't understand why many people consider them a culinary delicacy. To be honest, even if I had been paid, I wouldn't have eaten all of them. But on the bright side, at least now I can say ‘I've done it'.

Last year while I was on holiday in Greece, I decided to try oysters for the first time. I really wanted to taste them as there were so many people who loved them and the same number of people who hated them. So, on the one hand, I wanted to form my own opinion on this type of seafood. On the other, I was a bit afraid. The place we stayed in was right by the sea, so my friends persuaded me this was the best opportunity to duly appreciate the taste of oysters as they were supposed to be really fresh there.

We went to a seafood restaurant and ordered a large plate of oysters. Although they were expensive, I thought there wouldn't be a better chance in the near future, so I was determined to taste them come what may.

My friends started eating, saying every other second how delicious they were. I plucked up my courage, took the first oyster and slurped it before I changed my mind.

When my mouth was filled with slime, I had to swallow this slippery liquid just because there were many people around. But if I had been at home, I would have spitted it out immediately as the texture was just horrible.

A few minutes later I thought, okay, one more try. I grabbed another one, not expecting much, but somehow, it actually tasted... kinda good. Then I had a third. And before I knew it, I’d basically eaten the whole plate. Now, Now, anytime I get the chance, I order oysters without a second thought.

Band 6 grammar here:

I had to swallow (Modals)

my friends started eating (Gerund)

Band 7+ grammar here:

they were supposed to be fresh (Modals)

I thought there wouldn't be a better chance (Sequence of tenses)

if I had been at home, I would have spitted it out immediately (Conditional type III)

if I had been paid, I wouldn't have eaten all of them (Conditional type III + Passive Voice)