Tea culture in the uk

Whilst many countries love their tea, UK citizens are particularly proud of being ‘tea people’. This reputation is not just a typical stereotype either – the average UK citizen consumes nearly 2 kilograms of dry tea each year. It is interesting that the country with the world’s highest per-capita use of tea doesn’t actually grow tea of its own.

Tea only made its way to England in large quantities in the first years of the 17th century. Tea was being sold more widely in England by 1657, in London’s existing coffee houses, but it was called Tcha, China Drink, Tay or Tee, and was generally sold as a remedy to cure all ills; from fatigue and lack of virility to overall poor health and diseases of all kinds, and it was expensive.

There are many varieties of tea, from English Breakfast tea, to Earl Grey and the tarry Lapsang Souchong, they all come from the plant Camellia Sinensis, and are simply processed in different ways. Black tea mixtures are still the most common type drunk in the UK, and it can be a shock for visitors. Black tea, be it from Twinings, Liptons, Tetley or PG Tips, makes a darker brew, because the leaves have been allowed to oxidize before drying. This is why it is usually served with milk, although it is not uncommon to drink it black or with lemon.

Christmas words Match the verbs on the left to the words on the right

1. to decorate a. Christmas crackers

2. to fill b. Christmas pudding

3. to write c. a Christmas card

4. to ride d. a Christmas tree

5. to light e. a candle

6. to kiss under f. a sleigh

7. to pull g. a stocking

8. to ring h. bells

9. to eat i. presents

10. to wrap j. the mistletoe

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Multimedia Presentation: Holidays in Great Britain

Here is some information you can use:

Bank holidays (Public Holidays): New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

Festivals and Special Days: St. Valentine’s Day (February 14), St. David’s Day (March 1), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), April Fool’s Day (April 1), St. George’s Day (April 23), May Day (May 1), Trooping the Color (second Saturday in June), Father’s Day (June), Notting Hill Carnival (August), Harvest Festival (September), Halloween (October 31), Trafalgar Day (October), All Saints’ Day (November 1), Bonfire Night (November 5), St. Andrew’s Day (November 30), Advent (four Sundays before Christmas)

Passive Voice Open the brackets

1. Letters … (to deliver) by the postman at 8 every day. 2. This bag … (to find) in the bus yesterday. 3. The dress … (can / not / to wash) in hot water. 4. These offices … (to clean) now. 5. The message … (to send) tomorrow. 6. Why … the TV … (to turn on)? 7. The engine … (to test) when the manager saw it. 8. The umbrellas … (to sell) last morning. 9. All the halls … (to paint) at the moment. 10. What were we doing at 11 o'clock? We …. (to interview). 11. Paul … (to send) to the hospital next week. (Future Simple) 12. My brother … (just / to beat) in the race. (Present Perfect Simple) 13. He … (to tell) to wait outside. (Past Simple) 14. I … (not / to pay) for the work. (Past Simple) 15. Policemen … (often / to ask) the way. (Present Simple) 16. They lawn … (to cut) once a week. (Present Simple) 17. We … (to ask) by the police. (Future Simple) 18. The towels … (not / to use). (Past Simple) 19. He … (not / to sell) the jewels. (Present Perfect Simple) 20. They … (to teach) French. (Present Simple) 21. The fire brigade … (to phone) soon after the fire had broken out. (Past Simple) 22. You … (to laugh) at if you talk such nonsense. (Future Simple) 23. All the fruits … (to eat up) by the guests. (Past Simple) 24. The letter … (to answer) tomorrow. (Future Simple) 25. Stamps … (to sell) here. (Present Simple)