1 . Tea, the most typical English drink, became established in Britain because of the influence of a foreign princess, Catherine of Braganza, the queen of Charles Il. A lover of tea since herchildhood in Portugal, she brought tea-drinking to the English royal court and set a trend for the beverage in the seventeenth century. The fashion soon spread beyond the circle of the nobility to the middle classes, and tea became a popular drink at the London coffee houses where people met to do business and discuss events of the day. Many employers served a cup of tea to their workers in the middle of the morning, thus inventing a lasting British institution, the"tea break.” However, drinking tea in social settings outside the workplace was beyond the means of the majority of British people. It came with a high price tag and tea was taxed as well.

Around 1800, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anne Maria, began the popular practice of "afternoon tea, "a ceremony taking place at about four o'clock. Until then, people did not usuallyeat or drink anything between lunch and dinner. At approximately the same time, the Earl of Sandwich popularized a new way of eating bread--in thin slices, with something(e.g, Jam or cucumbers) between them. Before long, a small- meal at the end of the afternoon, involving tea and sandwiches, had become part of the British way of life.

As tea became much cheaper during the nineteenth century, its popularity spread right through all comers of the British society. Thus, tea became Britain s favorite drink. In working-class households, if was served with the main meal of the day, eaten when workers returned home after a day’s labor. This meal has become known as"high tea.”

Today, tea can be drunk at any time of the day and accounts for over two-fifths of all beverages consumed in Britain-with the exception of water.

1. How is this passage organized?

A．By cause and effect.	B．In the order of importance.
C．In the sequence of time.	D．By comparison and contrast.

2. What does the phrase a lasting British institution"in the first paragraph mean?

A．The most popular British organization.

B．A long-standing tradition in the UK.

C．The last tea company in London.

D．A well-established British business.

3. According to the passage, why was tea NOT a common drink of everyday. life in the
seventeenth century?

A．It was only served at coffee houses in London.

B．It was taxed as an alcoholic drink.

C．It was forbidden outside of the business setting.

D．It was too expensive for most people.

4. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A．. High tea was served later in the day than afternoon tea in the nineteenth century.

B．British people had tea breaks twice a day in the eighteenth century.

C．Princess Catherine brought tea to England after visiting Portugal.

D．The Earl of Sandwich started. the afternoon tea ceremony.