True, False, or Not Given Practice

Passage: The History of Coffee

Coffee has a long and fascinating history, originating in Ethiopia around the 9th century. Legend has it that a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. He tried the berries himself and experienced a similar effect. Word of these energizing berries spread to local monasteries, where monks began using them to stay awake during long hours of prayer.

By the 15th century, coffee cultivation and trade had spread to the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen became a central hub for coffee production, and the drink quickly gained popularity throughout the Middle East. Coffeehouses, called qahveh khaneh, emerged in cities such as Mecca and Cairo, serving as social hubs where people gathered to discuss politics, religion, and literature.

Coffee eventually reached Europe in the 17th century. At first, it was met with suspicion and sometimes called the “bitter invention of Satan.” Despite this, coffeehouses proliferated across major European cities, becoming centers of intellectual exchange and business activity. By the 18th century, coffee had become a global commodity, traded extensively across continents, and coffee plantations were established in the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia.

Modern coffee culture continues to evolve, with specialty coffee shops emphasizing high-quality beans, ethical sourcing, and artisanal brewing methods. Scientific studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption can have positive effects on alertness and cognitive function, although excessive consumption may cause health issues.

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Questions: True, False, or Not Given

1.      Coffee originated in the Arabian Peninsula.

2.      A goat herder named Kaldi is said to have discovered coffee.

3.      Coffee helped monks remain awake during prayers.

4.      Yemen was a significant center for coffee production in the 15th century.

5.      Europeans immediately embraced coffee without any reservations.

6.      Coffeehouses in Europe were important for business and intellectual discussions.

7.      Modern coffee culture includes a focus on ethical sourcing.

8.      Excessive coffee consumption has only positive effects on health.

9.      Coffee plantations spread to the Caribbean and Southeast Asia by the 18th century.

10. Scientific studies prove that coffee guarantees improved cognitive function.

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Answers with Explanations

1.      False – Coffee originated in Ethiopia, not the Arabian Peninsula.

2.      True – The passage states Kaldi is said to have discovered the energizing berries.

3.      True – Monks used coffee to stay awake during long hours of prayer.

4.      True – Yemen was a central hub for coffee production.

5.      False – Europeans initially met coffee with suspicion, calling it the “bitter invention of Satan.”

6.      True – Coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange and business.

7.      True – Modern coffee culture emphasizes ethical sourcing.

8.      False – Excessive consumption may cause health issues.

9.      True – Coffee plantations were established in the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia by the 18th century.

10. Not Given – The passage mentions positive effects, but does not claim coffee guarantees improved cognitive function.