Question

Раскройте основную идею текста. An invitation to tea Strictly speaking tea is not a meal at all, but a suitable occasion for social intercourse, when people often come in for a friendly chat over their cup of tea. There are two kinds of tea: ‘afternoon tea’ and ‘high tea’. Afternoon tea takes place between three-thirty and consists of tea, bread, butter and delicious jam followed by tasty cakes and biscuits. High tea however is a substantial meal and is eaten between five-thirty or six-thirty by families which do not usually have a late dinner. In a well-to-do family it will consist of ham and tomatoes and salad, or a kipper or tinned salmon with strong tea, bread and butter followed by stewed fruit or tinned pears, appricots or pineapple with cream or custard and a cake. Tea making in England is an art. The hospitable hostess first of all rinses the teapot with boiling water (this is called warming the pot) before adding four or five teaspoons of tea. The amount of tea varies, of course, according to the number of people present. The pot is then filled with boiling water and covered to allow the tea to infuse or draw for five minutes. English people seldom put lemon in their favourite tea.

Answer 1

The main idea of the text is that tea is not only a drink but also a method to invite friends for a friendly talk ot to have a family gathering.  There can be high tea and afternoon tea which differ in time and food served along with the tea.  High tea is usually had in the evening around six o'clock  with more substantial food.  Afternoon tea suggests lighter food and people have it around three o'clock. Tea making also supposes warming the pot with boiling water. before making tea in it.

Answer 2

The main idea of the text is to describe the tradition of having tea in England as a social occasion. The text explains the two different kinds of tea - "afternoon tea" and "high tea" - and the differences between them. Afternoon tea is described as a light meal, consisting of tea, bread, butter, jam, cakes, and biscuits, and is typically enjoyed between three-thirty and five o'clock. High tea, on the other hand, is portrayed as a substantial meal, eaten between five-thirty or six-thirty, and often includes ham, tomatoes, salad, kippers or tinned salmon, as well as dessert.

The text also emphasizes the importance of the tea-making process, describing it as an art in England. It explains the steps of rinsing the teapot with boiling water, adding the appropriate amount of tea, filling the pot with boiling water, and allowing the tea to infuse for five minutes. Additionally, it mentions that English people rarely put lemon in their tea.

Overall, the text highlights the significance of tea as a social occasion in England, and the specific customs and traditions associated with tea-making and consumption.