Q: What is a ball?
A: A ball is a formal dance occasion.
Q: How would you describe a formal ball?
A: People were invited, wore their best clothes ('evening attire'), and the ball was held in a splendid ballroom.
Q: Who used to attend balls?
A: In former times, everyone danced, but only the wealthy would attend balls.
Q: What were dance cards for?
A: Girls had dance cards: men had to sign up to dance with them.
Q: Who would typically sit around the sides during a ball?
A: Older people would typically sit around the sides and watch the younger people dance.
Q: What kind of occasion was a ball?
A: A ball was a society occasion.
Q: Was ball dancing a common practice in the past?
A: Yes, in former times everyone danced.