筷子：餐桌上的文化传承

    Chopsticks are a traditional eating tool commonly used in many Asian countries, especially in China. They are two long, thin sticks that are held in one hand and used to pick up food.

    The history of chopsticks dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty in China. Before chopsticks, people ate with their hands, but sticks were necessary for eating hot soup and porridge. During Pre-Qin Period chopsticks were called “Jia”, and during the Han Dynasty they were called “Zhu”. Because “Zhu” shares the same sound as “stop” in Chinese, which is an unlucky word for people on boats, they began to call them “Kuai”, meaning “fast” in Chinese.

    Using chopsticks requires a bit of skill and practice. The key to using chopsticks is keeping one chopstick in position while pivoting the other one to pick up food. With a little practice, one can easily pick up even the smallest pieces of food.

    There are also etiquette (礼仪) rules of chopsticks. For example, it’s considered impolite to point at people with chopsticks or to stick them vertically (直立地) into a bowl of rice. Sharing food with others by picking it up with chopsticks is a sign of care and respect, especially towards the elderly and children.

    Chopsticks are more than just tools for eating; they are also a part of Chinese culture.

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1.1. In which dynasty did chopsticks first appear in China?

A Shang Dynasty.

B Pre-Qin period.

C Qin Dynasty.

D Han Dynasty.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“The history of chopsticks dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty in China.”可知，筷子最早出现在商朝。故选A。

2.2. What were chopsticks originally called during the Pre-Qin period?

A Kuai.

B Zhu.

C Jia.

D Sticks.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段第三句“During Pre-Qin Period chopsticks were called ‘Jia’”可知，筷子在先秦时代被称为“梜”。故选C。

3.3. Which of the following is considered impolite?

A Sharing food with others.

B Pointing at people with chopsticks.

C Picking up food with chopsticks.

D Letting the elders eat first.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第四段第二句“For example, it’s considered impolite to point at people with chopsticks”可知，用筷子指人是不礼貌的。故选B。

4.4. What can we infer about chopsticks from the passage?

A Chopsticks are only used in China.

B It’s hard to learn to use chopsticks.

C Chopsticks are becoming less popular.

D Chopsticks are important in Chinese culture.

解析：选D。推理判断题。根据最后一句“Chopsticks are more than just tools for eating; they are also a part of Chinese culture.”可知，筷子不仅仅是吃饭的工具，也是中国文化的一部分。由此可知，筷子在中国文化中占有重要地位。故选D。