One
thing that British and Chinese cultures share is a love for fine tea. Today,
when we think of Western tea culture, we often think of the English and
beautiful china tea cups.
Afternoon
tea
People believe that an English lady, Anna, first introduced the idea of afternoon
tea. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the English ate only two main meals each
day: breakfast and a heavy supper that would last for several hours in the
evening. As a result, people often got very hungry during the long wait between
these two meals. To solve this problem, Anna came up with the clever idea of
inviting some friends to join her for an afternoon meal between four and five o’clock.
This meal included cakes and sandwiches. And tea was served(供應)
to wash down the food. In order to make this afternoon meal important, fine
china cups and plates and silver teapots, knives, forks and spoons were used.
Soon, afternoon tea parties became popular social occasions. Today,
afternoon tea parties continue to play an important part in the social life in
modern Britain.
Will
you come for coffee?
Coffee also has an important role
in British culture. People often use the words “Will you come for coffee” to
mean “Would you like to come to my home for a chat?” Normally, several
different drinks such as tea, hot chocolate or a soft drink like orange juice
will be served as well as coffee, and you will be asked what you would like.
However, you will not normally be offered wine at a “coffee” party.
Coffeehouses
and the London Stock Exchange
In the 17th century London, coffeehouses were busy and noisy places. Businessmen and bankers went to
coffeehouses to do their business, as well as to drink coffee. In fact, the
London Stock Exchange(倫敦股票交易所) is believed to have
started from these coffeehouses.
1.Anna introduced the
idea of drinking afternoon tea because she ______.
A. enjoyed chatting with her friends at home
B. loved fine tea and beautiful china tea cups
C. wanted to share nice food with her friends
D. found people felt hungry during the long wait between the two meals
2.What does “social
occasions” mean in Chinese?
A. 集體婚禮
B. 社交活動
C. 社區(qū)表演 D.
公共場合
3. If someone says to
you “Will you come for coffee,” you ______.
A. will be offered coffee only
B. are asked what you would
like to drink
C. will be asked to have a chat with him or her
D. you are invited to take part
in an afternoon tea party
4. From the last
paragraph we can see______
A. a new business was started in coffeehouses.
B. coffeehouses are still used by businessmen and bankers.
C. businessmen and bankers went to coffeehouses just for coffee.
D. most people wouldn’t like to go to coffeehouses because of the noise.
5. Which is the best
title of the article?
A. British and Chinese cultures. B. The beginning of Tea and Coffee.
C. Coffeehouse and
Business. D. English tea
and coffee culture.