1-7 英国人爱喝茶（在线收听）

The English Like Tea

Foreigners may scoff¹, marketing men may try to seduce with alternatives, but the English still carry on doggedly² in their devotion to what they consider to be one of the few good things ever to come from elsewhere.

While other people stiffen³ their sinews⁴ with something stronger, the English constitution⁵ merely demands tea. They have imbued⁶ it with almost mystical curative and comforting qualities. In moments of crisis, as a remedy for shock or just at a social gathering someone will suggest tea. It is probably their only addiction.

Tea to the average English man or woman usually means Indian tea. It is served with milk and sugar and the folklore⁷ surrounding its preparation is prodigious⁸. First the teapot has to be heated. The tea, once made, has to be left to “stand” and “brew⁹” -- but not so long that it becomes “stewed.” Cold milk is poured into the bottom of each cup and then tea is added either with the addition of water or, more normally, “just as it comes” -- neat and strong.

China tea is considered smarter and preparation rituals are similar, but milk is always added after the tea if it is taken at all. A slice of lemon is often substituted. Sugar goes in last.

注释：

1.scoff [skCf] vi. 嘲弄，嘲笑，讥笑

2.doggedly [5dC^idli] adv. 坚持不懈地；固执地

3.stiffen [5stifEn] vt. 使顽强；加强；提高

4.sinew [5sinju:] n. 力量；精力

5.constitution [7kCnsti5tju:FEn] n. 体质；素质

6.imbue [im5bju:] vt. 使充满

7.folklore [5fEuklC:(r)] n. 民俗；民间传说

8.prodigious [prE5didVEs] adj. 巨大的，庞大的

9.brew [bru:] vi. 被冲泡 ； 被煮沸

英国人爱喝茶

外国人嘲笑也好，销售商用代用品来诱惑也好，不管怎么样，英国人仍然一如既往地喜爱这种他们视为为数不多的几种上乘外来货之一。

　　别国的人用更烈性的东西来增强体力，但英国人的体质却只需要茶。他们认为，茶具有几乎是神奇的治疗与慰藉功能。在危急的时刻，作为压惊之物，或者聚会时，总会有人提议喝茶。喝茶可能就是他们惟一的嗜好了。

　　对于一般的英国男女来说，茶通常指的是印度茶。喝茶的时候要加牛奶和糖。有关沏茶的民间习俗五花八门。首先茶壶要加热。茶一旦泡了，得先“不动”它，让它“沏”一下，但又不能时间太长把茶焖烂了。要先将凉牛奶倒入每个杯子，然后加上泡好了的茶，有时再添加一些水，而更通常的情况是“就这样”什么也不加，使茶清爽、浓烈。

英国人认为喝中国茶更时髦。沏茶程序差不多，不过，如果要加牛奶的话，一般是在茶沏好后加。常常也以一片柠檬来代替。最后加的是糖。