Question 160·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Food historian Lionel Hartwell argues that the surge in European coffee consumption during the 17th and 18th centuries was a primary catalyst for the Age of Enlightenment. Hartwell claims that as coffeehouses replaced beer- and wine-laden taverns, patrons began to hold clearer, more rational discussions, which in turn fostered the spread of new political and scientific ideas.
Text 2
Cultural sociologist Mei-Ling Zhao acknowledges that coffeehouses offered a new venue for intellectual exchange, but she contends that Hartwell exaggerates their historical impact. According to Zhao, archival records show that beer and wine sales remained robust throughout the Enlightenment period, indicating that alcohol-centered spaces continued to thrive alongside coffeehouses. Zhao concludes that the shift to coffee was one of several, rather than the singular, forces shaping Enlightenment thought.
Based on the texts, how would Zhao most likely respond to Hartwell’s claim that coffeehouses replaced taverns and thus uniquely sparked Enlightenment discussions?
For cross-text connection questions, start by pinpointing the exact claim or idea in the first text that the question highlights. Then, deliberately scan the second text for how that author addresses the same topic—look for clear agreement, disagreement, or qualification words (like “however,” “exaggerates,” “in contrast”). Before looking at the choices, summarize in your own words how the second author would respond. Finally, eliminate options that (1) simply restate the first author, (2) introduce new ideas or facts not in either text, or (3) use extreme language like “entirely,” “sole,” or “only” when the passage suggests a more balanced, “one of several” view.
Hints
Compare the two authors’ positions
First, ask yourself: Does Zhao mostly agree with Hartwell, mostly disagree, or partly agree but qualify his claim? Look for phrases that show her stance, such as words that indicate exaggeration or limitation.
Focus on Zhao’s evidence about alcohol
In Text 2, what does Zhao say about beer and wine sales during the Enlightenment? Do her archival records suggest that taverns went away, or that they continued to operate?
Notice how Zhao describes coffee’s role
Pay attention to Zhao’s conclusion: does she describe coffee as the only or unique force behind Enlightenment thought, or as one among several factors? Eliminate answer choices that don’t match her level of emphasis.
Watch for new ideas not in the texts
If an answer brings in something like a new technology, place, or claim that neither author mentions, be skeptical. The right answer should be grounded directly in what Zhao says about Hartwell’s argument.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify Hartwell’s specific claim
Focus on what the question asks about: Hartwell’s claim that coffeehouses replaced taverns and uniquely sparked Enlightenment discussions.
From Text 1:
- He calls the surge in coffee consumption a “primary catalyst” for the Enlightenment.
- He says coffeehouses “replaced beer- and wine-laden taverns”.
- He links this replacement to clearer, more rational discussions and the spread of new ideas.
So Hartwell is making a strong, almost exclusive claim for coffeehouses and against taverns.
Summarize Zhao’s overall response to Hartwell
Now look at how Zhao reacts to Hartwell in Text 2.
Key points from Text 2:
- She “acknowledges that coffeehouses offered a new venue for intellectual exchange” – so she doesn’t totally dismiss them.
- She says Hartwell “exaggerates their historical impact” – this is a direct criticism.
- She cites records showing beer and wine sales remained robust, and that alcohol-centered spaces “continued to thrive alongside coffeehouses.”
- She concludes that the shift to coffee was “one of several, rather than the singular, forces” shaping Enlightenment thought.
So she accepts coffeehouses mattered, but rejects the idea that they replaced taverns or were the only special cause.
Translate Zhao’s view into what the answer must express
The question asks how Zhao would respond to Hartwell’s claim that coffeehouses replaced taverns and thus uniquely sparked Enlightenment discussions.
From Step 2, any correct answer must:
- Show that Zhao thinks Hartwell overstates or exaggerates the role of coffee.
- Reflect that taverns and alcoholic beverages stayed important; they did not disappear.
- Indicate that coffee was one factor among several, not the only or uniquely important driver.
Keep these three requirements in mind when checking the choices.
Test and eliminate answer choices that don’t match Zhao
Go through each option and compare it to Zhao’s actual points:
- Choice A says coffeehouses entirely supplanted alcohol-serving places and were the sole venue for rational debate. That is Hartwell’s view, not Zhao’s, so it cannot be right.
- Choice B introduces the printing press as the only true driver of Enlightenment ideas, which is never mentioned in either text and also contradicts Zhao’s statement that coffee was one of several forces, not zero.
- Choice C claims coffeehouses were restricted mainly to Italy and had little effect on Europe, which the texts never say. Zhao still credits coffee as a meaningful force, just not the only one.
All three of these either restate Hartwell, add new information, or contradict Zhao’s more balanced view, so they must be wrong.
Confirm the correct answer
The remaining choice is D: “Coffee’s influence has been overstated because alcoholic beverages and taverns remained significant during the Enlightenment.”
This exactly matches Zhao’s response:
- She thinks Hartwell “exaggerates” coffeehouses’ impact (their influence is overstated).
- She gives evidence that beer and wine sales were still robust and alcohol-centered spaces “continued to thrive alongside coffeehouses” (taverns remained significant).
- This implies that coffee was one important factor among others, not a unique replacement or sole cause.
Therefore, D is the correct answer.