Question

We use both words and body language to express our thoughts and opinions and to communicate with other people. We can learn about what a person is thinking by watching his or her body language. Words are important, but the way a person stands, folds his or her arms, or moves his or her hands can also give us information about his or her feelings.

Just like spoken language, body language varies from culture to culture. Making eye contact —looking directly into someone’s eyes — is in some countries a way to show interest. In other countries, however, eye contact is rude or disrespectful. The gesture for Ok, making a circle with one’s thumb and index finger, has different meanings in different cultures. In Japan, someone who sees another person making the gesture will think it means money. In France, a person seeing the same gesture will think it means zero. In Brazil and Germany, however, the gesture is rude. The thumbs-up gesture, meaning “great” or “good job” in the US is rude in Nigeria, but in Germany and Japan it means the number one. The “crazy” gesture, moving the index finger in a circle in front of the ear, means “you have a phone call” in Brazil.

Even the gesture we use for “yes” and “no” are different around the world. In many countries, shaking one’s head means “no”, and nodding means “yes”. In Bulgaria, parts of Greece, and Iran, however, the gestures have the opposite meaning. There are also differences as to how often we touch each other, how close we stand to someone we are talking to, and how we act when we meet or part. In some countries, for example, France and Russia, a visiting friend is greeted with a kiss on the check, in other countries people greet each other with a firm handshake, a loving hug, a bow or a simply a nod of the head.

While there are many different interpretations of our body language, some gestures seem to be universal. Pressing one’s palms together and resting one’s head on the back of one’s hand while closing the eyes as if sleeping means “I am tired.” A good way of saying “I am full” is moving the hand in circles over the stomach after a meal. If a person pats his or her stomach before a meal, it usually means “ I’m hungry.”

Perhaps the best example of universally understood body language is the smile. A smile can help us get through difficult situation and find friends in a world of strangers. A smile can open doors and tear down walls. It can be used to express almost any emotion. We can use a smile to apologise, to greet someone, to ask for help or to start a conversation. We can smile at ourselves in the mirror to make ourselves feel happier and stronger. And if we are feeling down or lonely, there is nothing better than to see the smiling face of a good friend.

 

1.In our daily life, which of the following do we use to communicate with each other?

A．gestures B. words C. smiles D. all above

2.As a Chinese , if you are lost in Germany, without knowing German, you’d better---- to ask for help?

A.use eye-contact B. thumb-up

C. smile D. say “excuse me”

3.What does this passage mainly about?

A. all the gestures in the world

B. the same body language in the world

C. gestures in the western countries

D. using proper gesture to express yourself

4.The underlined word “universal” in the last second paragraph probably means ______.

A. wide B. common C. not similar D. in space

 

Answer 1

1.D

2.C

3.D

4.B

【解析】

试题分析:本文是一篇社会文化类说明文，讲述了肢体语言含义的异同。相同的动作在不同国家可能会有完全不同的含义，不过也有一些是大家一致认同的。认识度最普遍并且最能拉近人们距离的就是微笑。

1.We use both words and body language to express our thoughts and opinions and to communicate with other people.，就说明了交流依靠文字和肢体语言。选D。

2.We can use a smile to apologise, to greet someone, to ask for help or to start a conversation。所以选C。

3. 主旨大意题。文章围绕肢体语言展开，相同的动作在不同国家可能会有完全不同的含义.所以要选择正确的肢体语言表达意思。可知D项正确。

4.

考点：考查社会文化类短文阅读