内容正文:
British Tea Culture
茶文化是英国文化的重要组成部分,犹如一首英国民谣所唱:“当时钟敲响四下时,世上的一切瞬间为茶而停。”
Tea was first introduced to Great Britain in the 1600s and in the centuries since, the British tea culture has been going strong. Tea is now associated (有关联) with the British lifestyle as it is enjoyed on a daily basis by people of all walks of life.
British-style Tea
For everyday tea, the British simply boil water and pour the water over a tea bag in a cup. After the tea brews for a few minutes, the tea bag is removed. Fresh milk and sugar are usually added. Biscuits or cake may be eaten with tea.
The British prefer various types of black tea. Brands like Twinings, Tetley, and Lipton are popular in the world tea market.
Formal Tea
For a formal tea, tea sets made of fine bone china or silver are used. The set includes a teapot, cups and saucers, a creamer for holding milk, and a sugar bowl. All are carried on a tray. All the pieces of a proper English tea set have a matching pattern.
Elevenses (午前茶点)
“Elevenses” refers to a snack (小吃) consisting of tea or coffee and a finger food like biscuits or cake. It is taken mid-morning so the name refers to the time of day (11 am).
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a light meal served with tea in the late afternoon. It began among wealthy women in the 1840s, but it soon spread to hotels, tea rooms, and tea gardens across Great Britain. The food served typically includes small sandwiches and sweets. A formal afternoon tea has fancy desserts presented on tiered stands. While most British do not have the luxury (奢侈) of enjoying a formal afternoon tea on a regular basis, it is common to take quick tea breaks during the work day.
$The Secret Garden
本文节选并改编自美国女作家弗朗西丝·霍奇森·伯内特(Frances Hodgson Burnett)创作的儿童文学作品《秘密花园》。故事讲述了性情古怪孤僻的小女孩玛丽·伦罗克斯在父母双亡后,生活在姨父神秘阴沉的大房子里。一次神奇的经历,玛丽进入了久已禁闭且荒芜的花园。玛丽、农家小子狄肯和常年被关在阴暗房间里病态的少爷柯林,找到了开启快乐的钥匙,和花园经历了一次诗意的复活。在节选部分,玛丽的女仆玛莎从家里回来,带给玛丽一根跳绳,玛丽在跳绳的时候有了什么新的发现呢?
Mary was walking beside the long wall of the secret garden, when a most wonderful thin