Question

Read the following passage about tea.

India and tea are so intertwined together that life without the brew is unimaginable. Tea entered our life only in the mid-nineteenth century when the British started plantations in Assam and Darjeeling! In the beginning though, Indians shunned the drink as they thought it was a poison that led to umpteen diseases. Ironically, tea colonised Britain where it became a part of their social diary and also led to the establishment of numerous tea houses. Today, scientific research across the world has attempted to establish the beneficial qualities of tea - a fact the Japanese and the Chinese knew anyway from ancient times, attributing to it numerous medicinal properties. [Source: ‘History: Tea Anytime’ by Ranjit Biswas from Literary Review, The Hindu, 1 October 2006]

Collect information about tea, e.g. its evolution as a drink, its beneficial qualities. You can consult an encyclopedia or visit Internet websites. Then form groups of five and play the following roles: Imagine a meeting of a tea planter, a sales agent, a tea lover (consumer), a physician and a tea-shop owner. Each person in the group has to put forward his/her views about tea. You may use the following words and phrases.

• I feel ...
• I disagree with you ...
• I would like you to know ...
• It is my feeling ...
• May I know why you ...
• It is important to know ...
• I think that tea ...
• I agree with ...
• I suggest ...
• I am afraid ...

Answer 1

Roleplay: The Great Tea Meeting

Characters:	Tea Planter, Sales Agent, Tea Lover (Consumer), Physician, Tea-shop Owner.
Tea Planter:	I would like you to know that producing high-quality tea is an art. We work tirelessly in our estates to ensure every leaf is picked at its peak for the best flavour.
Sales Agent:	I agree with the Planter, but I think that marketing is key! Our goal is to make tea a global household name. It is important to know that tea is not just a drink; it is an experience we sell to millions.
Tea Lover:	I feel that tea is the soul of my day. Whether it’s a morning cup or a rainy afternoon, life without it is unimaginable. I disagree with those who say it’s just caffeine it’s comfort.
Physician:	I am afraid I must add a balanced perspective. While I agree it has wonderful antioxidant properties that support heart health, it is important to know that moderation is key. Too much caffeine can affect sleep and nervous system health.
Tea-shop Owner:	May I know why you worry so much, Doctor? I suggest that tea brings people together. My shop is where communities gather to talk, laugh, and connect. I think that the social bond created over a cup of tea is just as healthy as the tea itself.
Tea Planter:	I agree! It is my feeling that when you combine the hard work of the planter, the skill of the agent, and the warmth of the shop, you get something truly special that transcends just biology.