In this sentence completion question on everyday manners, choose the word that best completes the sentence: "Excusing yourself before standing to leave is part of proper table ____________."

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of vocabulary related to manners and social behaviour. The sentence describes a polite action at the dining table, namely excusing yourself before you stand up to leave. You must choose the word that correctly names the conventional rules of polite behaviour in such settings. This kind of vocabulary is often tested in exams because it appears in general reading, personality development topics, and interview discussions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence is: "Excusing yourself before standing to leave is part of proper table ____________."
• The options include "etiquette", "usage", "dignity", "habit", and "culture".
• The context is dining manners and polite behaviour at the table.

Concept / Approach:
The set of accepted rules for polite behaviour in society, especially in formal situations like dining, is called "etiquette". We speak of table etiquette, office etiquette, and telephone etiquette. The other options refer to language customs, personal worth, repeated actions, or broad cultural practices, and do not directly name the system of rules of politeness. Therefore, the correct answer must be "etiquette".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the phrase "proper table". This normally collocates with "etiquette". Step 2: Recall that "etiquette" means the customary code of polite behaviour in society or particular contexts. Step 3: Option A "etiquette" fits directly and gives the standard phrase "table etiquette". Step 4: Option B "usage" usually refers to language usage or how something is used, not specifically to manners. Step 5: Option C "dignity" means self respect or honour, which is more about a personal quality than a set of rules. Step 6: Option D "habit" refers to any repeated behaviour, good or bad, without focusing on social rules. Step 7: Option E "culture" is a broad term for customs, arts, and social institutions, and is too general here.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider common phrases used in finishing school courses, hospitality training, or parenting guides. They regularly talk about "table etiquette", such as how to hold cutlery, when to start eating, and how to speak politely during meals. The sentence in the question fits perfectly into such discussions. None of the other options form equally natural and widely used collocations with "table".

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Usage" would sound incomplete and vague in this context. "Dignity" refers more to self respect and does not name specific rules. "Habit" could describe simply what someone does, whether polite or rude, so it lacks the sense of correct behaviour. "Culture" covers a wide variety of practices and is not the specific technical term for rules of politeness. Therefore, they all fail to capture the precise idea that the sentence requires.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners might think of "culture" because table manners vary from culture to culture, but the word "culture" itself is too broad. Others might pick "habit" because they think of repeated behaviour, but the sentence speaks of "proper" behaviour, which points to established social rules. Always pay attention to common collocations and fixed phrases in English, as these often guide you to the right answer in such questions.

Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the sentence is etiquette, giving the phrase "proper table etiquette".