Unit 6:ECR

Read the texts and choose the best answer to each question.

Manners Through the Ages

1 If a person from our time could go back and visit England in the 15th century, he or she might think that table manners had not been invented yet. Even in a king’s palace, meals were not elegant. They were eaten in hot kitchens or cold dining rooms. Tables were often rough boards on tops of barrels. Spoons were common, but forks and napkins were not. People shared cups and plates. They picked up meat with their fingers or speared it with their knives.

2 Even in this atmosphere, however, some table habits were frowned on while others were encouraged. Since people used their hands to eat, they were supposed to wash or wipe them before they sat down. Once they were at the table, it was more polite to cut small pieces of bread and meat, rather than grab huge hunks of the food.

3 Much like today, people looked down on messy eaters. Diners were not supposed to spill food, shovel it into their mouths, or talk while they chewed. After eating, they were not supposed to wipe their faces on the tablecloth. And they were not supposed to pick food from their teeth with knives. Of course, some people did anyway!

4 By the 18th century, things changed a lot. Forks, napkins, and individual dishes became common. Among rich people, dinner was very fancy and formal. There were many conventions that people were expected to follow to avoid embarrassment. Children learned to sit up straight and to be quiet at the table. They practiced keeping clean and choosing the right fork, sometimes from as many as five!

5 Today’s table manners fall somewhere between the manners of the 15th and 18th centuries. They are definitely more relaxed than the manners of a century ago. In many families, children are encouraged to take part in lively dinner conversations. And luckily, there are seldom more than two forks to choose from. Table manners continue changing with the times. However, they never go out of style.

Sandra’s Blog: Growing Up in a Small Town

This week’s topic: Table Manners Matter April 12, 2022

1 Last weekend, I attended a company picnic with my family. We sat beside my mom’s coworker Mr. Peterson and his small children. Mr. Peterson’s son squirted ketchup across the table, narrowly missing my new sundress. His daughter climbed up and down from the picnic bench again and again. She spilled my lemonade . . . twice. At one point, the two got into an argument that included half a sandwich being thrown across the table. I was happy when the meal was over!

2 What did I learn from the experience? Table manners matter. Even though we’re kids, we can and should behave respectfully at the table.

3 I decided to do some research on the topic and found some interesting information. In the 1800s, table settings in wealthy homes often included as many as five different forks. Knowing which one to use was a big part of having proper table manners. Thankfully, today’s meals are less complicated. Still, everyone should know and follow some basic rules each time they eat at the table. Good table manners show respect for others. They make meals more enjoyable. Bad manners make people uncomfortable. They can even ruin a meal.

4 It’s true that manners sometimes depend on the place and the situation. In some countries, like America, it is considered rude to burp after eating. In other places, like China, burping means you enjoyed your meal.

5 Cultural differences aside, the key to good manners is thinking about how others feel. People do not like to see others eat in a messy way. They do not want to watch others blow their noses, talk with food in their mouths, or grab something that is across the table. People also hate feeling overlooked. It can be hard to wait until everyone has been seated at the table to begin eating, but good manners expect that we do.

6 Many manners experts agree that cell phones are making people less polite. They recommend that people turn off their phones when they sit down to eat. I agree! It’s rude to ignore real people and focus on a small screen. Gaming apps and selfies can certainly wait until after dinner.

7 Just as with other types of behaviors, table manners require thought. But they are worth the effort. Good manners make other people enjoy the time they spend with us. They can even lead to better relationships (or perhaps, more comfortable company picnics).

Read the articles "Manners Through the Ages" and "Sandra's Blog: Growing Up in a Small Town.” Based on the information in the selection, write a response to the following:

Explain which selection better teaches the reader about manners: "Manners Through the Ages" or "Sandra's Blog: Growing Up in a Small Town."

Write a well-organized argumentative essay that uses specific evidence from at least one of the selections to support your answer.

Remember to —

*clearly state your claim

*organize your writing?

*develop your ideas in detail?

*use evidence from both selections in your response?

*use correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar?

Manage your time carefully so that you can —

*review the selections

*plan your response

*write your response

*revise and edit your response

Write your response in the box provided.