Buzz
The tale of tea began in ancient China more than 5,000 years ago. According to legend, Emperor Shen Nung was a skilled ruler, innovative scientist, and patron of the arts. His forward-thinking decrees included, among other things, the mandatory boiling of all drinking water for hygienic reasons. One summer day, while visiting a distant region of his kingdom, he and his court stopped to rest. Following his decree, servants began boiling water for the court to drink. During this process, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the boiling water, infusing it with a brown hue. Fascinated by this new liquid as a scientist, the Emperor tasted it and found it remarkably refreshing. Thus, according to legend, tea was discovered.
B
Tea consumption became integral to Chinese culture, permeating every facet of society: The earliest definitive treatise on tea, clearly reflecting Zen Buddhist philosophy, was penned 1,200 years ago. The first tea seeds were introduced to Japan by a returning Buddhist monk who recognized tea's value in aiding meditation in China. Consequently, he is revered as the ‘Father of Tea’ in Japan. Due to this early association, tea in Japan has always been intertwined with Zen Buddhism. Tea quickly gained imperial support in Japan and spread swiftly from the royal court and monasteries to broader society.
C
In Japan, tea evolved into an art form through the tea ceremony, where utmost importance is placed on preparing tea with flawless etiquette and charm. This purity of expression inspired the creation of specific architectural styles for tea houses, mimicking the simplicity of forest cottages. Geishas, the cultural and artistic hostesses of Japan, specialized in the presentation of the tea ceremony. However, as tea gained popularity, the purity of its original concept became diluted, leading to a period where the tea ceremony became extravagant and ostentatious. Efforts were subsequently made to return to its original simplicity, resulting in tea being esteemed as the ultimate gift during the 15th and 16th centuries. Even warlords paused for tea before battles.
D
While tea had reached an advanced stage of development in parts of Asia, information about this then unfamiliar beverage began to trickle back to Europe. Earlier traders had mentioned it, but were uncertain whether tea was to be consumed as a drink or eaten. The first European to encounter tea personally and write about it was Portuguese – Portugal, with its advanced navy, had successfully secured the first trading rights with China.
E
Tea finally arrived in Europe in the 16th century, brought by the Dutch navy, and became highly fashionable in the Dutch capital, The Hague. This was partly due to tea's exorbitant cost (over $100 per pound), immediately making it a luxury item for the wealthy. As tea imports increased, its price fell, and by 1675 it was available in ordinary food shops across Holland.
F
As tea consumption surged in Dutch society, doctors and academics in Holland debated its merits and drawbacks. The public largely ignored the scholarly debate and continued to enjoy their new beverage, though the controversy persisted from 1635 to around 1657. During this period, France and Holland led Europe in tea consumption.
G
As the fascination with all things oriental swept through Europe, tea became ingrained in daily life. The addition of milk to tea was first mentioned around 1680. Around this time, Dutch inns began offering tea as part of their restaurant service. Innkeepers provided guests with a portable tea set complete with a heating element. Guests could then prepare tea for themselves and their friends in the inn's garden. Tea remained popular in France for only about fifty years, before wine, chocolate, and exotic coffees took precedence. Tea was introduced to England in 1660 by King Charles II and his Portuguese queen, both avid tea drinkers. Tea mania swept across England as it had earlier swept through France and Holland. By 1708, tea imports had risen to thirteen times the level of 1699. Tea became a drink enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
H
Russian interest in tea dates back to 1618, when the Chinese embassy in Moscow presented several chests of tea to Emperor Czar Alexis. Later in the century, a trade agreement between Russia and China allowed caravans to travel freely between the two countries. However, the journey was arduous. A typical caravan consisted of 200 to 300 camels, and the 18,000-kilometer journey took over 16 months to complete. Eventually, though, tea became – as it remains today – one of the most popular beverages in the country.
Questions 1-8
Select the appropriate heading from the list below for each paragraph.
In boxes 1-8, write the correct number, i-xi, on your answer sheet.
List of Headings
- Not enough tea to meet demand
- Religious objections
- in – and sometimes out of- fashion
- A connection between tea and religion
- A luxury item
- News of tea reaches another continent
- Is tea a good or bad thing?
- A chance discovery
- Tea-making as a ritual
- Difficulties in importing tea
1 Paragraph A
2 Paragraph B
3 Paragraph c
4 Paragraph C
5 Paragraph E
6 Paragraph F
7 Paragraph G
8 Paragraph H
Questions 9-13
Examine the statements below (Questions 9-13) and the list of countries provided.
Associate each statement with the appropriate country, labeled A-G.
In boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet, write the correct letter, A-G.
List of Nations
A China
B Japan
C Portugal
D The Netherlands
E France
F England
G Russia
9 Claims that tea might be harmful and failed to affect its popularity.
10 Tea lost favour to other drinks.
11 Special buildings were constructed in which to drink tea.
12 Animals were involved in importing tea.
13 A ruler’s specialist knowledge led to an interest in tea.
Answers rewritten to Solutions
1. viii (Đoạn A – Sự cố khiến vô tình tìm ra Trà xanh)
2. Iv (Đoạn B – Sự liên hệ giữa Trà xanh và tôn giáo)
3. ix (Đoạn C – Pha trà xanh trở thành một nghi thức ở Nhật)
4. vi (Đoạn D – Trà xanh trở nên phổ biến ở các châu lục khác ngoài châu Á)
5. v (Đoạn E – Một món uống xa xỉ dành cho giới thượng lưu)
6. vii (Đoạn F – Mặt tích cực và tiêu cực )
7. iii (Đoạn G – Thời hoàng kim và giai đoạn thoái trào của Trà xanh)
8. x (Đoạn H – Vấn đề khó khăn trong việc nhập khẩu Trà xanh)
9. D (Đoạn F, “The public largely ignored the scholarly debate and continued to enjoy their new beverage”)
10. E (Đoạn G, “Tea remained popular in France for only about fifty years, being replaced by a preference for wine, chocolate, and exotic coffees.”)
11. B (Đoạn C, “Such a purity of expression prompted the creation of a particular form of architecture for tea house: duplicating the simplicity of a forest cottage.”)
12. G (Đoạn H, “Still, the journey was not easy. The average caravan consisted of 200 to 300 camels”) rewritten to 12. G (Đoạn H, “However, the expedition proved challenging. Typically, caravans comprised 200 to 300 camels”)13. A (Đoạn A, “As a scientist, the Emperor was intrigued by the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created.”) rewritten to 13. A (Đoạn A, “Fascinated by the new liquid as a scientist, the Emperor sampled it and found it remarkably refreshing. Thus, according to legend, tea came into being.”)
