Reading B2
The History of Coffee

 

Reading Passage: The History of Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world today, but its history dates back centuries. It is believed that coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia in the 9th century, when a goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Kaldi reported his findings to a local monastery, and the monks made a drink from the berries. They found that it helped them stay awake during long hours of prayer, and word of this magical drink began to spread.

By the 15th century, coffee had made its way to the Arabian Peninsula, where it became a crucial part of the culture. Coffee houses, known as qahveh khaneh, began to appear in cities throughout the Middle East. These coffee houses were not only places to enjoy the beverage but also hubs for social interaction, intellectual discussions, and even business transactions. In fact, coffee houses were sometimes referred to as "schools of the wise" because of the important conversations that took place there.

In the 17th century, coffee made its way to Europe, where it quickly became fashionable. At first, it was met with suspicion. Some people even called it the “bitter invention of Satan.” However, coffee's popularity continued to grow, and by the 18th century, it had spread to the Americas. Today, coffee is grown in over 70 countries, primarily in the tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

There are many different types of coffee beans, but the two most common are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are known for their smooth flavor and lower caffeine content, while Robusta beans have a stronger, more bitter taste and higher caffeine content. Most high-quality coffees are made from Arabica beans, but Robusta beans are often used in instant coffee or espresso blends.

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### **Questions for The History of Coffee**

#### **Questions 1–6: True, False, or Not Given**

Do the following statements agree with the information in the reading passage? Write **True**, **False**, or **Not Given**.

1. Kaldi was a farmer who discovered coffee when his goats ate berries.  
2. Monks in Ethiopia used coffee to help them stay awake during prayer.  
3. Coffee houses in the Middle East were only for business transactions.  
4. Coffee was welcomed by everyone when it first arrived in Europe.  
5. The most common coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta.  
6. Robusta beans are used for high-quality coffee drinks.

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#### **Questions 7–9: Complete the Sentences**

Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

7. Coffee was first discovered in __________ in the 9th century.  
8. In Europe, coffee was initially referred to as the __________.  
9. Arabica beans have a __________ flavor compared to Robusta beans.

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#### **Questions 10–13: Multiple Choice**

Choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D.

10. According to the passage, coffee became popular in Europe in the:  
  A. 9th century  
  B. 15th century  
  C. 17th century  
  D. 18th century  

11. Coffee houses in the Middle East were known as:  
  A. qahveh khaneh  
  B. schools of the wise  
  C. Kaldi’s cafés  
  D. monasteries  

12. Coffee is mainly grown in:  
  A. Europe  
  B. Ethiopia  
  C. tropical regions  
  D. monasteries  

13. Which type of coffee bean has a stronger taste?  
  A. Arabica  
  B. Robusta  
  C. Both have the same strength  
  D. Neither of them  

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True, False, or Not Given:**

1. False  
2. True  
3. False  
4. False  
5. True  
6. False  

**Sentence Completion:**

7. Ethiopia  
8. bitter invention of Satan  
9. smooth  

**Multiple Choice:**

10. C  
11. A  
12. C  
13. B  

Reading Passage: The Impact of Social Media on Communication

In the past decade, social media platforms have revolutionized the way people communicate. Before the rise of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, communication was primarily limited to face-to-face interactions, phone calls, and emails. Today, social media allows individuals to connect with people from around the world in real-time, fostering relationships, sharing information, and exchanging ideas at an unprecedented scale.

One of the most significant impacts of social media is the way it has transformed interpersonal communication. Through instant messaging and social media feeds, people can stay in constant contact with friends, family, and colleagues, even if they are on the other side of the world. This constant connection has made it easier to maintain long-distance relationships and reconnect with old acquaintances.

However, not all effects of social media are positive. Critics argue that while social media enables us to communicate more, it can also reduce the quality of our interactions. Conversations on social media tend to be shorter and more superficial compared to face-to-face discussions. Additionally, the rise of social media has been linked to increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially among younger users who may prioritize online interactions over real-life relationships.

Furthermore, the anonymity that social media provides can lead to negative behaviors, such as cyberbullying and harassment. Because people can communicate from behind a screen, they may feel emboldened to say things they would never say in person. As a result, some users experience emotional distress from these toxic interactions.

Despite the challenges, social media continues to play a major role in modern communication, with billions of users logging in every day. The key to managing its impact may lie in finding a balance between online and offline interactions, ensuring that social media enhances, rather than replaces, real-world communication.

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### **Questions for The Impact of Social Media on Communication**

#### **Questions 1–5: True, False, or Not Given**

Do the following statements agree with the information in the reading passage? Write **True**, **False**, or **Not Given**.

1. Social media has completely replaced face-to-face communication.  
2. Social media has made it easier to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away.  
3. Communication through social media is often more meaningful than face-to-face discussions.  
4. Social media has contributed to feelings of loneliness among some users.  
5. Social media has encouraged more face-to-face interactions among younger people.  

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#### **Questions 6–9: Complete the Summary**

Complete the summary below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Social media platforms have changed how we communicate by enabling people to connect 6. __________ and stay in touch with others around the world. However, the rise of social media has also been associated with certain negative effects, such as promoting 7. __________ interactions and contributing to 8. __________ among users. Additionally, the anonymity of social media has led to an increase in 9. __________.

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#### **Questions 10–13: Multiple Choice**

Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

10. What is one positive effect of social media mentioned in the passage?  
  A. It has replaced phone calls and emails.  
  B. It allows people to reconnect with old friends.  
  C. It encourages long, meaningful conversations.  
  D. It promotes face-to-face communication.

11. What is one negative effect of social media mentioned in the passage?  
  A. It forces people to communicate more.  
  B. It improves the quality of communication.  
  C. It can cause emotional distress through online harassment.  
  D. It makes phone calls and emails more difficult.

12. According to the passage, social media is linked to feelings of loneliness because:  
  A. Users often have too many online friends.  
  B. People spend too much time on face-to-face interactions.  
  C. Online interactions are prioritized over real-life relationships.  
  D. Social media is not popular with young people.

13. What does the passage suggest about managing the impact of social media?  
  A. Users should limit their social media time to one hour a day.  
  B. Users should stop using social media entirely.  
  C. Users should find a balance between online and offline communication.  
  D. Social media should only be used for work purposes.

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### **Answers**

**True, False, or Not Given:**

1. False  
2. True  
3. False  
4. True  
5. False  

**Summary Completion:**

6. in real-time  
7. superficial  
8. isolation  
9. cyberbullying  

**Multiple Choice:**

10. B  
11. C  
12. C  
13. C