Question

rotten eggs, for example, would turn silver chopsticks black. thats because they release hydrogen sulfide, a gas that tarnishes silver. at the time, this caused some panic!
chopsticks were used only for preparing food until about 400 ce. thats when people started cooking food in smaller pieces. this new method sped up cooking time, which helped cooks save on fuel. bite - sized food was easy for diners to pick up with chopsticks. they didnt really need knives at the table anymore.
around this time, confucius (551 bce - 479 bce) helped make chopsticks popular. confucius was an ancient chinese philosopher and devoted vegetarian. he also preached nonviolence. he asked people not to use knives at the dinner table. confucius worried that the sight of knives on the table would stir up ideas about violence. his followers connected chopsticks with peace. confuciuss teachings spread across china and other parts of asia. that led more people to adopt the use of chopsticks.
today, chopsticks are widely used. theyve become more than just a means to devour food. sometimes people wear chopsticks in their hair. in china, people often collect finely painted chopsticks. they give them as gifts, too. chopsticks are a common chinese wedding present for a newly married couple. theyre used to wish the couple happiness and express hope that theyll never part from each other.
theres a lot of history behind those two sticks.
question 7
which question is not answered by the article?
a. why did people sometimes use silver chopsticks in the kitchen during the tang dynasty?
b. how did the teachings of confucius help spread the use of chopsticks across china?
c. how do historians know that early versions of chopsticks were likely made of twigs?
d. why do many people in china today give chopsticks as a gift to newly married couples?

Explanation:

• Option A: The article mentions rotten eggs turning silver chopsticks black (implying silver chopsticks were used to detect spoilage, so the reason for using them in the kitchen could be inferred).
• Option B: The article explains Confucius' teachings (non - violence, not using knives at the table) and how his followers connected chopsticks with peace, leading to spread, so this is answered.
• Option C: The article has no information about how historians know early chopsticks were made of twigs.
• Option D: The article states chopsticks are given as wedding gifts to wish happiness and no separation, so this is answered.

Answer:

C. How do historians know that early versions of chopsticks were likely made of twigs?