Step into the past and see how a simple cup of coffee shaped an entire city. Read the text carefully. Then decide whether each statement is True, False, or Not Mentioned.
The Coffee Houses of London
In the early 1700s, London was alive with noise, smoke, and change. Ships arrived from distant ports, bringing silk, sugar, and something entirely new – coffee. Until then, most Londoners drank beer or wine from morning to night. The water was often polluted, and alcohol was considered safer. People believed that coffee, a dark and bitter drink from the Ottoman Empire, would never replace it.
But soon, the city began to change. Coffee houses started to appear everywhere – more than 500 by the end of the century. They became gathering places for men of every class: merchants, poets, scientists, and even politicians. A single penny bought a cup and access to conversation, newspapers, and debate. These lively rooms were often called “penny universities,” because a person could learn more there in one afternoon than in a week of formal education.
The drink itself became part of London’s rhythm. Coffee sharpened people’s minds, gave them energy, and kept them awake long after sunset. Some historians believe that this new mental state helped to fuel business and invention. The stock exchange, scientific societies, and even newspapers grew out of ideas first discussed over steaming cups of coffee.
However, not everyone was pleased. In 1674, long before the coffee boom reached its peak, a group of women published The Women’s Petition Against Coffee. They complained that their husbands had grown “useless, talkative, and sleepless,” and blamed the new drink for their fading strength. Doctors also began warning about “coffee compulsion” and “nervous agitation.” They feared that the drink could become a dangerous obsession – a habit that people might not be able to quit.
Still, the addiction spread. Coffee became a social substance – a symbol of focus, sophistication, and belonging. It replaced alcohol in the mornings, filled the streets with its rich smell, and connected people across classes.
Today, centuries later, the tradition remains. Millions of people begin their day the same way, with a familiar cup in hand. The faces, clothing, and conversations have changed – but the feeling is the same. Perhaps every generation has its own addiction, its own way to stay awake, escape reality, or feel part of something greater than itself.
In the early 1700s, London was alive with noise, smoke, and change. Ships arrived from distant ports, bringing silk, sugar, and something entirely new – coffee. Until then, most Londoners drank beer or wine from morning to night. The water was often polluted, and alcohol was considered safer. People believed that coffee, a dark and bitter drink from the Ottoman Empire, would never replace it.
But soon, the city began to change. Coffee houses started to appear everywhere – more than 500 by the end of the century. They became gathering places for men of every class: merchants, poets, scientists, and even politicians. A single penny bought a cup and access to conversation, newspapers, and debate. These lively rooms were often called “penny universities,” because a person could learn more there in one afternoon than in a week of formal education.
The drink itself became part of London’s rhythm. Coffee sharpened people’s minds, gave them energy, and kept them awake long after sunset. Some historians believe that this new mental state helped to fuel business and invention. The stock exchange, scientific societies, and even newspapers grew out of ideas first discussed over steaming cups of coffee.
However, not everyone was pleased. In 1674, long before the coffee boom reached its peak, a group of women published The Women’s Petition Against Coffee. They complained that their husbands had grown “useless, talkative, and sleepless,” and blamed the new drink for their fading strength. Doctors also began warning about “coffee compulsion” and “nervous agitation.” They feared that the drink could become a dangerous obsession – a habit that people might not be able to quit.
Still, the addiction spread. Coffee became a social substance – a symbol of focus, sophistication, and belonging. It replaced alcohol in the mornings, filled the streets with its rich smell, and connected people across classes.
Today, centuries later, the tradition remains. Millions of people begin their day the same way, with a familiar cup in hand. The faces, clothing, and conversations have changed – but the feeling is the same. Perhaps every generation has its own addiction, its own way to stay awake, escape reality, or feel part of something greater than itself.
1. The popularity of coffee houses quickly declined after the publication of The Women’s Petition Against Coffee.
This information is .
2. Most historians agree that coffee had little influence on London’s cultural or intellectual development.
This information is .
3. Coffee houses were expensive meeting places that only wealthy politicians and businessmen could afford to visit.
This information is .
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