- When your throat feels scratchy, you may be tempted to reach for a cup of hot tea - and science says that’s a good thing
- This page is for students who want to take their reading comprehension to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills
There’s nothing like a hot cup of tea when you’re feeling under the weather. Photo: ShutterstockContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] Yes, tea does ease a sore throat. Studies show that ginger, camomile, peppermint, black tea, and masala chai all do the trick. So, if you are feeling under the weather and need a cure for that scratchy sore throat, read on.
[2] Ginger tea
Widely consumed in many cultures, ginger is a well-loved aromatic medicine traditionally used to remedy sore throat symptoms. A 2022 Spanish study published in the journal Molecules reports that ginger’s bioactive compounds make it a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Among these compounds, gingerols also reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infections and prevent your sore throat from worsening over time, according to a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences from Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. Since sore throats are often the result of inflammation, consuming ginger in the form of tea may relieve the associated pain.
[3] Camomile tea
Besides being packed with antioxidants such as apigenin, camomile is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and mucilage content, according to a 2010 article published in the journal Molecular Medicine Reports. Mucilage is a gel-like substance that coats mucous membranes and soothes irritation in the throat. Camomile tea is also a relaxant and can ease the tension in muscles in your throat. The tea doubles as a mild sedative, which can aid sleep – thus promoting the rest your body needs to heal itself naturally.
[4] Peppermint tea
Menthol is one of the main ingredients of peppermint tea. Menthol has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the swelling caused by a sore throat, according to a 2018 article in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. While it is widely believed that menthol is a decongestant, a 1983 study published in The Journal of Laryngology & Otology tells us there’s no evidence to support this idea. That said, the menthol in peppermint produces a mild numbing sensation, which can indeed ease the discomfort caused by a sore throat.
[5] Black tea
Not only is black tea rich in polyphenols, but it also has powerful tannins that could reduce inflammation, according to a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences in 2019. Despite its caffeine content, which makes it a diuretic – meaning it helps lower fluid content in the body by making you urinate more – black tea is a good choice for hydration. Its hydrating properties are, in fact, comparable to water, according to a 2011 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. At the same time, black tea may be the energising pick-me-up you need to get you through the day when you are unwell.
[6] Masala chai
A delightful blend of black tea and spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves), masala chai is a comforting choice for a sore throat. Masala chai offers several rich sources of antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon and cloves also ease throat irritation, according to a 2017 study published in Pharmaceutical Biology.
[7] Doctors recommend that you make sure your tea is hot, too: the warmth will soothe the pain of your sore throat.
Source: South China Morning Post, November 17
Questions
1. Find a phrase in paragraph 1 that has an opposite meaning to “in good health”. ___________________________________________________
2. Name two ways ginger relieves a sore throat according to paragraph 2. (2 marks)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. According to paragraph 3, what purpose might mucilage serve?______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. The researchers who worked on the 1983 study mentioned in paragraph 4 say ...
A. there is no evidence to support the claim that menthol is a decongestant.
B. peppermint tea contains an antioxidant that can reduce swelling in sore throats.
C. menthol can possibly soothe sore throats that result from respiratory infections and allergies.
D. all of the above
5. Would the researchers who did the study in paragraph 4 recommend drinking black, and why? (2 marks)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Decide whether the following statements are True, False or the information is Not Given in the text. (3 marks)
(i) Menthol is the only ingredient used in peppermint tea. (ii) Masala chai contains ginger, cardamom, and cloves, which all possess antioxidant properties. (iii) Drinking excessive amounts of tea could exacerbate a sore throat. (iv) Black tea may promote mental well-being through its potential positive effects on mood and cognitive function.
7. In paragraph 6, masala chai can alleviate a sore throat because ...
A. its warming properties can soothe a sore throat by reducing blood flow to the area.
B. its antioxidants can help promote healing in the throat.
C. its anti-inflammatory properties can help combat throat irritation.
D. its hydrating properties can help keep the throat moist and prevent dryness.
8. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of words from the word box below. (5 marks)
numbing / hydration / infect / irritated / ease
Different teas can help to ease a sore throat. For example, ginger teas reduce the risk of (i) ___________ and camomile tea relieves throat (ii) ___________. Peppermint helps (iii) ___________ and (iv) ___________ the throat. Black tea helps you stay (v) ___________.
9. Which of the following is the best alternative headline for the text?
A. Superpowers of teas
B. The science behind tea’s therapeutic benefits
C. Tea: A natural remedy for various ailments
D. Exploring the healing properties of different teas for sore throat relief
Answers
1. under the weather
2. Ginger has gingerols that reduce the risk of bacterial and viral infections, which prevents your sore throat from worsening over time. Ginger also relieves pain from inflammation of the throat.
3. The mucilage in camomile tea serves to coat mucous membranes and soothe irritation in the throat, soothing a soare throat.
4. A
5. Yes, because black tea’s hydrating properties are comparable to water and it can also keep us energised throughout the day when we are unwell.
6. (i) F; (ii) T; (iii) NG; (iv) F
7. C
8. (i) infection; (ii) irritation; (iii) numb/ease; (iv) easing/numbing; (iv) hydrated
9. D