Page 36 - E-module IC Reading

gain inner peace. The tea ceremony is very important in Japanese culture because it
used to be practiced only by the elite zen monks and noble warlords for most of
history. [1]
The tea ceremony is also a very significant cultural activity that combines
silence, respect, and symbolic purification altogether. While some Japanese
perform tea ceremonies as just a hobby today, most people consider it a form of
traditional art and call it the art of tea. One may have to spend years practicing
these forms to finally reach the point where he/she can perform every single step
with very little mental effort. This way of thinking applies to martial arts and other
Japanese customs and traditions as well. [2]
The tea ceremony consists of the preparation of the tearoom, sweets, and the tea
itself. The serving of tea usually comes with casual chatting about seasonal
changes. However, in the preparation phase, participants keep silent. That is why
the tea ceremony is considered a meditational activity. During the tea ceremonies,
the host prepares the tea and serves it to the guests but does not drink it because
everything is for the pleasure of the guests. The procedure of Japanese tea
ceremony steps is called temae in Japanese. [3]
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There are two types of tea ceremonies: chakai (informal tea ceremony) and
chaji (formal tea ceremony). Chakai, also known as the typical tea ceremony
gathering, only lasts 45 minutes even though the training takes years. Chaji, on the
other hand, involves the participation of senior tea masters and the service of
traditional kaiseki meals which can last up to 4 hours. Major Japanese tea
ceremony schools such as Urasenke School and Omotesenke School follow slightly
different steps and procedures. [4]
(339 words, adapted from https://mai-ko.com/travel/culture-in-japan/tea-ceremony/japanese-tea-
ceremony/)

This passage follows the structure of a factual description. The first paragraph is the
introduction. It tells you what you are going to read in the passage (Japanese tea ceremony)
and the pupose of Japanese tea ceremony.. The second paragraph describes a feature of
Japanese tea ceremony. The last paragraph provides the conclusion—that types of Japanese
tea ceremony.

After reading the passage above, answer the following questions to deepen your
understanding of the text.

A. Comprehension
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
2. Why is the tea ceremony so essential in Japan?
3. What should be prepared for the tea ceremony?
4. What does meditational activity mean?
5. What are the differences between chakai and chaii?

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