Luyện theo cấu trúc Cambridge IELTS 18 · Speaking Part 1–3: Tea and Drinking Habits

1. I'm more of a tea drinker, to be honest. Coffee gives me a quick boost in the morning, but if I have more than one cup I start to feel jittery. Tea is gentler, and I like the fact that there are so many different kinds to try.

2. Pretty much every day. I usually make a pot of green tea in the afternoon at work, and I share it with a couple of colleagues. It's become a sort of little ritual that breaks up the day.

3. Only occasionally. My grandfather used to drink very strong tea from tiny cups, and he would sometimes let me have a sip, but I found it far too bitter. I think I only started to appreciate it properly when I was at university.

4. Very much so. In my country, offering someone tea is almost automatic when they visit your home, and you'll see small tea stalls on street corners where people sit on low plastic stools and chat for hours. It's really part of the social fabric.

The place I'd like to describe is a small tea house in the old quarter of my city. It's tucked away at the end of a narrow alley, so you'd walk straight past it if you didn't know it was there, which is probably why it's never too crowded.

It's on the first floor of an old house, and you have to climb a steep wooden staircase to get to it. Inside, it's quite simple: low wooden tables, cushions on the floor and shelves lined with jars of different teas. There's a small balcony overlooking the street, covered in plants, and if you go early enough you can usually get a seat there.

I generally go with my closest friend from university. We both work long hours, so once or twice a month we set aside a Sunday afternoon to meet there and catch up. Occasionally I go on my own with a book, which is a lovely way to spend a rainy day.

There are a few reasons why I like it so much. First, the tea is excellent. The owner is very knowledgeable, and she'll often recommend something new and explain how it should be brewed. Second, the atmosphere is incredibly calm. There's no loud music, and people tend to speak quietly, so it feels like a real escape from the noise of the city. But I think what I value most is that it encourages you to slow down. In most cafés, people grab a drink and stare at their phones, whereas there, making and drinking tea takes time, so you end up having a proper conversation. I always leave feeling more relaxed than when I arrived.

1. I think it's a simple way of showing respect and welcome. Preparing a drink for someone takes a little time and effort, so it signals that you value their company. In many cultures, refusing a drink can even be seen as slightly rude, which shows how deeply the custom is rooted.

2. Mainly because they offer consistency. Wherever you go, you know exactly what you'll get, and the atmosphere is comfortable and predictable. They've also become places to work or study, with free wi-fi and plenty of seats. For young people, I suppose there's also an element of status, because these brands are associated with a modern, international lifestyle.

3. I believe they do, but they may need to adapt. Some traditional places are already attracting younger customers by offering workshops on how to brew tea, or by combining tea with modern décor. As long as they offer something that a chain can't, such as a sense of history or a calmer atmosphere, I think there'll always be a market for them.

4. To some extent, yes. Sugary drinks are a major contributor to obesity and diabetes, and many people simply don't realise how much sugar they contain. Clear labelling and a tax on very sweet drinks seem reasonable, especially if the money is used for health education. However, I wouldn't support outright bans, because adults should still be free to make their own choices.

5. The biggest change, at least in my country, is variety. My grandparents mostly drank tea or water, whereas young people now have endless options, from bubble tea to energy drinks. People also drink more on the go, rather than sitting down together, which I think is a slight loss, because drinking tea used to be a much more social activity.