English afternoon tea and the Japanese tea ceremony are famous all over the world.
Have you ever ___1 a -- realized that drinking tea in Russia is as popular as in England or Japan?
When visiting Russia , you are sure __2 b to be invited to tea. Though tea bags have become popular worldwide, Russians still prefer tea __3 c -- prepared in the
old classical way. With loose tea leaves brewed in a teapot. In the past water for tea __4 b was boiled in a samovar - the symbol of the Russian tea ceremony.
Today teapots with plain decoration___5 c are used for everyday tea drinking; for more ceremonial occasions, tea __6 a is served in more festive pots.
Some 50-60 years ago it was customary to serve tea in a glass which __7b was
put into a special glass holder. The glass holders ___8 c were made of metal and decorated with engraved pictures and enamel. The tradition of serving tea in such glasses with glass holders __9 b is still kept in long- distance trains.