Chinese and Western eating habits are different. In China, the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. It is always polite to let guests or elderly people at the table taste every dish first. But in the West, everyone has his or her own plate of food.
Although there are no strict rules on how to set chopsticks and spoons, there are some things you should never do during a Chinese banquet (筵席).
　Firstly and most importantly, don’t put your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. Instead, lay them on your dish. The reason for this is that when people die, family members give them a bowl full of rice with a pair of chopsticks sticking out upright in it. So if you stick your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it appears that you want someone at the table to die.
Make sure the spout(容器嘴) of the teapot is not facing anyone, as this is impolite. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.
Don’t tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite. Also, when the food is coming too slow in a restaurant, you should not tap on your bowl. If you are in someone’s home, it is like insulting the cook.
【小题1】What is the difference between Chinese and Western eating habits according to Paragraph 1?

     Chinese and Western eating habits are different. In China, the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. It is always polite to let guests or elderly people at the table taste every dish first. But in the West, everyone has his or her own plate of food.
Although there are no strict rules on how to set chopsticks and spoons, there are some things you should never do during a Chinese banquet (筵席).
      Firstly and most importantly, don’t put your chopsticks upright in the rice bowl. Instead, lay them on your dish. The reason for this is that when people die, family members give them a bowl full of rice with a pair of chopsticks sticking out upright in it. So if you stick your chopsticks in the rice bowl, it appears that you want someone at the table to die.
Make sure the spout(容器嘴) of the teapot is not facing anyone, as this is impolite. The spout should always be directed to where nobody is sitting, usually just outward from the table.
      Don’t tap on your bowl with your chopsticks. Beggars tap on their bowls, so this is not polite. Also, when the food is coming too slow in a restaurant, you should not tap on your bowl. If you are in someone’s home, it is like insulting the cook.

1. 1.

   What is the difference between Chinese and Western eating habits according to Paragraph 1?

   1. A.
      In China people are very polite, while in the West people are not so.
   2. B.
      In China people share the dishes, while in the West people eat separately.
   3. C.
      In China people use the chopsticks, while in the West people use the knife and fork.
   4. D.
      None of the above.
2. 2.

   What is the main idea of the third paragraph?

   1. A.
      The reason why chopsticks shouldn’t be put upright in the rice bowl.
   2. B.
      The Chinese use chopsticks to eat.
   3. C.
      The Chinese eating habits.
   4. D.
      How to use chopsticks.
3. 3.

   Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

   1. A.
      It is polite to taste the dishes before the guests or the elderly.
   2. B.
      You can put your chopsticks wherever you want.
   3. C.
      Never tap on your bowls with the chopsticks during the meal.
   4. D.
      Teenagers can stick their chopsticks in the rice bowl.
4. 4.

   The underlined word “insulting” in the last paragraph probably means “_________”.

   1. A.
      playing jokes on
   2. B.
      laughing at
   3. C.
      treating badly
   4. D.
      looking down upon

Among the many differences between Western and Chinese cultures, table manners are one of the most noticeable(显著的) differences. Westerners often make mistakes at the table in China or in a Chinese home. In order not to have an embarrassing（尴尬的） experience, here are some things to consider next time you are eating with some Chinese.
Step1:
Keep in mind that food is shared. It is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. In China a few dishes are placed in the center of a table and shared by all. Also, you should offer thanks when a Chinese host takes food from one of the dishes on the table and places it on your plate. Refusing it would not be polite even if you are full.
Step2:
Respect the chopsticks. The chopsticks are the single most important tool at a Chinese table. Use the chopsticks to grab food and never skewer (叉) it. Also make sure to place your chopsticks over your bowl or plate. Don’t lay them on the table or even worse, stick them into the rice bowl.
Step3:
Use communal(共用的)chopsticks. To take food from the center of the table you should use the communal chopsticks or spoons that are placed there for that purpose. If there are no communal tools, use the other ends of your chopsticks to take food, remembering not to use the other end to put food into your mouth.
Step4:
Respect the elders. Table manners in China place extra respect on elders. At the table, pass food to your elders before taking it for yourself. If someone makes a toast, make sure that when you clink glasses with someone older than you, the rim of your glass is lower than the rim of the elder person.
【小题1】How can you use your chopsticks according to the passage?

Among the many differences between Western and Chinese cultures, table manners are one of the most noticeable(显著的) differences. Westerners often make mistakes at the table in China or in a Chinese home. In order not to have an embarrassing（尴尬的） experience, here are some things to consider next time you are eating with some Chinese.

Step1:

Keep in mind that food is shared. It is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. In China a few dishes are placed in the center of a table and shared by all. Also, you should offer thanks when a Chinese host takes food from one of the dishes on the table and places it on your plate. Refusing it would not be polite even if you are full.

Step2:

Respect the chopsticks. The chopsticks are the single most important tool at a Chinese table. Use the chopsticks to grab food and never skewer (叉) it. Also make sure to place your chopsticks over your bowl or plate. Don’t lay them on the table or even worse, stick them into the rice bowl.

Step3:

Use communal(共用的)chopsticks. To take food from the center of the table you should use the communal chopsticks or spoons that are placed there for that purpose. If there are no communal tools, use the other ends of your chopsticks to take food, remembering not to use the other end to put food into your mouth.

Step4:

Respect the elders. Table manners in China place extra respect on elders. At the table, pass food to your elders before taking it for yourself. If someone makes a toast, make sure that when you clink glasses with someone older than you, the rim of your glass is lower than the rim of the elder person.

1.How can you use your chopsticks according to the passage?

A．Use them to grab your own food.

B．Put them on the table.

C．Use them to skewer the food.

D．Stick them into the rice bowl.

2.According to the passage, the following are wrong EXCEPT that ________.

A．you don’t have to accept the food a Chinese host places on your plate

B．a skewer is also a commonly used tool at a Chinese table

C．one can offer his own chopsticks for communal use when there aren’t any

D．when clinking glasses, the rim of the younger person should be lower than that of the older person

3.What is the purpose of writing the passage?

A．To let the world get a full understanding of China.

B．To introduce table manners among different cultures.

C．To introduce Chinese table manners to Westerners.

D．To introduce how Chinese table manners came into being.

Among the many differences between Western and Chinese cultures, table manners are one of the most noticeable(显著的) differences. Westerners often make mistakes at the table in China or in a Chinese home. In order not to have an embarrassing（尴尬的） experience, here are some things to consider next time you are eating with some Chinese.
Step1:
Keep in mind that food is shared. It is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western eating habits. In China a few dishes are placed in the center of a table and shared by all. Also, you should offer thanks when a Chinese host takes food from one of the dishes on the table and places it on your plate. Refusing it would not be polite even if you are full.
Step2:
Respect the chopsticks. The chopsticks are the single most important tool at a Chinese table. Use the chopsticks to grab food and never skewer (叉) it. Also make sure to place your chopsticks over your bowl or plate. Don’t lay them on the table or even worse, stick them into the rice bowl.
Step3:
Use communal(共用的)chopsticks. To take food from the center of the table you should use the communal chopsticks or spoons that are placed there for that purpose. If there are no communal tools, use the other ends of your chopsticks to take food, remembering not to use the other end to put food into your mouth.
Step4:
Respect the elders. Table manners in China place extra respect on elders. At the table, pass food to your elders before taking it for yourself. If someone makes a toast, make sure that when you clink glasses with someone older than you, the rim of your glass is lower than the rim of the elder person

1. 1.

   How can you use your chopsticks according to the passage?

   1. A.
      Use them to grab your own food
   2. B.
      Put them on the table
   3. C.
      Use them to skewer the food
   4. D.
      Stick them into the rice bowl
2. 2.

   According to the passage, the following are wrong EXCEPT that ________

   1. A.
      you don’t have to accept the food a Chinese host places on your plate
   2. B.
      a skewer is also a commonly used tool at a Chinese table
   3. C.
      one can offer his own chopsticks for communal use when there aren’t any
   4. D.
      when clinking glasses, the rim of the younger person should be lower than that of the older person
3. 3.

   What is the purpose of writing the passage?

   1. A.
      To let the world get a full understanding of China
   2. B.
      To introduce table manners among different cultures
   3. C.
      To introduce Chinese table manners to Westerners
   4. D.
      To introduce how Chinese table manners came into being