Ielts Reading Practice Computer Based ✭

Time allowed: 20 minutes (Section 1 of 3) Instructions: Read the passage below. Answer questions 1–12 directly on screen (as in real CBT). No extra paper allowed. PASSAGE: The History of Tea in Britain Although tea originated in China, its journey to becoming Britain’s national drink was slow and socially complex. Tea first arrived in England in the 1650s, brought by Dutch traders. Initially, it was an expensive luxury, sold only in coffee houses and consumed by the elite. The diarist Samuel Pepys recorded his first cup in 1660.

A major turning point came in the 1840s when Anna, Duchess of Bedford, popularised the meal of ‘afternoon tea’ to bridge the gap between light lunch and late dinner. This soon became a social institution. Meanwhile, the Industrial Revolution made tea essential for factory workers: boiled water (required for tea) killed bacteria, and the caffeine boosted energy. ielts reading practice computer based

By the early 18th century, tea prices dropped due to increased imports and reduced government taxes. The British East India Company, which held a monopoly on tea trade, began marketing it aggressively. Middle-class families started adopting afternoon tea as a domestic ritual. However, tea remained too costly for the working class until the late 1700s. Time allowed: 20 minutes (Section 1 of 3)