Final answer:
The word 'them' refers to 'plates' as it aligns with the context of consuming food, which is a common theme across the provided passages.
Step-by-step explanation:
In context, the pronoun ‘them’ requires a referent that aligns with the action described in the passages provided. Based on the excerpts, the most likely referent for ‘them’ pertains to objects that can be filled with food and consumed from.
In the first passage from LibreTexts™, carpenters are mentioned as finishing their food very quickly, referring to the bowls which contained the food. In other excerpts, we see consistent references to dishes and kitchenware related to the serving and consumption of food.
Therefore, combining this contextual information with the understanding of semantic networks, we conclude that ‘them’ refers to plates, which are commonly associated with meals and the act of eating, as described in the various narratives.