REVIEW LESSON G10

Few would disagree that sipping hot tea in the late afternoon is one of life’s great pleasures. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a big tea drink or not; you certainly have heard of this delightful British custom. But do you know who started this tea-drinking tradition? And are you aware that the British have both “low” and “high” tea?

Multiple Choice

what does "delightful" mean?

• extremely beautiful, delicate, or refined

• farming, including cultivation of soil, raising crops and 

  animals for food

• something that is very pleasant or enjoyable

Multiple Choice

What is one of life's great pleasures?

• Going to school five days a week.

• Sipping hot tea in the late afternoon.

• Eating ice-cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Sipping an ice-cold bubble milk tea in the evening.

In England, afternoon tea can typically be described as sitting down for some time before 3 and 6 p.m. to enjoy not only tea but also snacks such as sandwiches, scones, and cakes.

Multiple Choice

what does "typically" mean?

• usually, normally or commonly

• a meal eaten in the evening, typically a lighter meal than dinner

• a social gathering or event

Some believe that the English duchess Anna Russell started this pleasant pastime in the mid-1800s. At the time, members of the upper class normally had a light lunch and late dinner. However, Lady Russell grew desperately hungry between meals and could never make it to dinnertime.

Multiple Choice

Who started the tradition of afternoon tea in the mid-1800s?

• Justin Bieber

• Dr. High-Low Tea

• English duchess Anna Russell

• Taylor Swift

Her solution to this daily struggle was to ask for some snacks and tea at 4 p.m. She later started inviting friends over for the affair, and because of this, her idea soon spread throughout British high society.

Hosts at these engagements served high-quality teas and exquisite snacks on luxurious, low tables. This explains why we now refer to the custom as “low tea.” Despite the word “low” low tea is clearly characteristic of British high culture.

Multiple Choice

what does "quality" mean?

• very unpleasant to look at

• cause to suffer or die from lack of food

• the standard of how good or high in value something is

Multiple Choice

What is low tea?

• Low tea was a mini meal after breakfast that involved sweet foods and strong coffee.

• Low tea involves high-quality teas and exquisite snacks on luxurious, low tables.

High tea, by comparison, functioned as one of the main meals during the day for the working class in northern England. In the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, people mostly worked in agriculture and ate their biggest meal at lunchtime. This was followed by a light supper in the evening.

Multiple Choice

what does "supper" mean?

• suffering or weakened from lack of food

• a meal enjoyed in the evening, typically a lighter meal than dinner

• a social gathering or event

After the Industrial Revolution, however, laborers had started working longer hours in factories. These new work schedules made eating a big lunch not so convenient.

When they got off work, they were starving. One would therefore often see workers having high tea immediately after work, usually between 5 and 7 p.m. This was an energy-packed meal with foods that were as filling as possible, such as meat, vegetables, fish, and pies. Strong black tea was served in ordinary teapots, and diners were seated on high-backed chairs at the dining table. This is where the term “high tea” comes from.

Multiple Choice

what does "starving" mean?

• very comfortable, elegant and expensive

• essential or basic to the nature of something

• suffering or weakened from lack of food

Multiple Choice

What is high tea?

• High tea was a main meal that involved energy-packed foods and strong black tea served in ordinary teapots.

• High tea was a tradition that people living in the mountains enjoyed. They grew the tea high up in the mountains.

Multiple Choice

What type of foods were served during high tea?

• chicken, rice, noodles and bread

• meat, vegetables, fish, and pies

• vegetables, fruits, bread, and candy

Research shows that, on average, each Briton drinks 3.5 cups of tea a day. This indicates that teatime has become a fundamental part of British culture. While high tea remains restricted to northern England, afternoon teas is a way of life all across the country, and people now enjoy it in just about every corner of the world.

Multiple Choice

what does "restricted" mean?

• limited or kept within one group or place

• the standard of something, how good or high in value it is

• people who organize and an event or gathering

Multiple Choice

How many cups of tea does the average Briton drink per day?

• The average Briton drinks 5 cups of tea per day.

• The average Briton drinks 3.5 cups of tea per day.

• The average Briton drinks 3 cups of tea per day.