Task 1 - Long reading

Read the following text about the history of coffee and answer the 15 questions.

The Remarkable Journey of Coffee

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Coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed by billions worldwide, has a rich and complex history stretching back over a thousand years. Its origins are often traced to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau. Legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee when he noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. He reported his findings to the abbot of a local monastery, who, after trying a drink made from the berries, found it helped him stay awake during long hours of prayer. This initial discovery eventually led to the widespread use of coffee among monks.

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From Ethiopia, coffee made its way across the Red Sea to Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula. By the 15th century, coffee cultivation was widespread in Yemen, and the city of Mocha became a significant trading hub for the bean. It was in the Arab world that coffee drinking truly began to flourish, not just as a religious aid but as a social drink. Coffee houses, known as "qahveh khaneh", emerged in cities like Mecca and Cairo, becoming centers for conversation, music, storytelling, and even chess. These establishments were vital for the exchange of ideas and news, often attracting intellectuals and artists.

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Coffee's journey to Europe began in the 17th century. Initially, some Europeans viewed coffee with suspicion, even calling it "the bitter invention of Satan." However, Pope Clement VIII, after tasting it, reportedly blessed the beverage, paving the way for its acceptance. The first European coffee house opened in Venice in 1645. Soon, coffee houses spread rapidly across major European cities like London, Paris, and Amsterdam. These new social spaces played a crucial role in European intellectual life, becoming meeting places for merchants, politicians, and writers, often fueling the Enlightenment.

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The demand for coffee grew exponentially, leading to its global expansion. The Dutch were particularly instrumental in spreading coffee cultivation beyond the Arab world. They smuggled coffee plants out of Yemen and began cultivating them in their colonies, notably on the island of Java (now part of Indonesia) in the late 17th century. From Java, a single coffee plant was eventually given to the French King Louis XIV, whose descendants planted it in Martinique. This one plant is believed to be the ancestor of most coffee trees grown in the Americas, marking a pivotal moment in coffee's global journey.

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Today, coffee is a global commodity, with massive economic and cultural significance. Major coffee-producing regions include Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia. While the methods of cultivation and preparation have evolved, the essence of coffee – its stimulating effect and its role as a catalyst for social interaction and productivity – remains unchanged. From a wild berry discovered by goats to a sophisticated global industry, coffee's remarkable journey reflects centuries of trade, cultural exchange, and human ingenuity, continuing to shape our daily lives.