W: Hi, Mr. Lee, I am reporter from the New York Times. It will be great you can tell me some information about chopsticks, their origin and the materials they are made from.
M: Good question. Chopsticks originated in China, but they are (wide) used in many Asian countries. Chopsticks may be made of any of the (follow) materials: bamboo, wood, gold, silver, ivory, or plastic, and they may be round or square. Some chopsticks are decorated colored pictures. Ordinary chopsticks used in Chinese homes are made of wood or bamboo. In ancient times, the rich used jade or gold chopsticks to display their wealth. Many kings and emperors used silver chopsticks to see if their food had been poisoned.
W: OK, thank you. And I’d like to know why Chinese people use chopsticks. not knives and forks, like Americans?
M: Oh, that is a good question. I think Chinese people choose chopsticks, rather than knives and forks, because Chinese people, under the influence of Confucianism, have traditionally (consider) knives and forks as symbolizing a type of violence. On the other hand, chopsticks reflect (gentle) and kindness. And maybe Chinese food simply seems to taste better when eaten with chopsticks.