One thing that British and Chinese cultures share is a love for fine tea. Today, when we think of Western tea culture, we often think of the English and beautiful china tea cups.

Afternoon tea

People believe that an English lady. Anna, first introduced the idea of afternoon tea. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the English ate two main meals each day—breakfast and a heavy supper that would last for several hours in the evening. As a result, people often got very hungry during the long wait between these two meals. To solve this problem, Anna came up with the clever idea of inviting some friends to join her for an afternoon meal between four and five o’clock. This meal included cakes and sandwiches, and tea was served to wash down the food. In order to make this afternoon meal important, fine china cups and plates, and silver teapots, knives, forks and spoons were used. Soon, afternoon tea parties became popular social occasions. Today, afternoon tea parties continue to play an important part in the social life in modern Britain.

Will you come for coffee?

Coffee also has an important role in British culture. People often use the words “Will you come for coffee?” to mean “Would you like to come to my home for a chat（闲聊）?” Usually several different drinks such as tea, hot chocolate or a soft drink like orange juice will be served as well as coffee, and you will be asked what you would like. However, you will not be offered wine at a “coffee” party.

Coffeehouse and the London Stock Exchange

In the 17th century London, coffeehouses were busy and noisy places. Businessmen and bankers went to coffeehouses to do their business, as well as to drink coffee. In fact the London Stock（股票）Exchange is believed to have started from these coffeehouses.

People depend on plants. We use plants for food, cloth, shelter(住处), and even the air we breathe(呼吸).

Plants keep our air and water clean. Green plants give us oxygen(氧气). Oxygen is part of the air we breathe.

Plants are also part of the water cycle(水循环). Most of the water that a plant takes in goes back into the air.

Plants give us a lot of the food on the earth. Fruits, vegetables, and grains(谷物) come from plants. Without plants, we would not have bread, rice, carrots, apples, oranges, or bananas! Many people are growing plants to eat in their own gardens at home. Having your own garden helps the earth as well.

When you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you help cut down on pollution because big trucks don’t need to take your food to shops. You also help reduce the amount of rubbish because you don’t need to use bags for packing your food. You can just pick it out of the ground or off a plant and put it into a basket!

Trees are an important plant resource(资源). Trees provide wood to build homes and furniture. Trees are used to make lots of things around your home and at your school. And trees provide fruits that are good for you. Without trees, the earth would be a very different place.