Cats communicate a variety of messages using cats’ body language. Examples include arching ( 弓起) their backs as a signal of fear or attack, and slowly blinking (眨) their eyes to signal relaxation. The open mouth without showing teeth suggests a feeling of playfulness. A cat which chooses to lie on its back shows happiness, trust and comfort. Cats show dissatisfaction by moving their ears back, equal to a human’s frown.
As is the case with dogs, a twitching (抽动) tail can mean a little anger while a tail held high suggests confidence. Cats will twitch their tails when hunting or angry, while a larger twitch suggests displeasure. They may also twitch their tails when playing. A tail held high is a sign of happiness, or can be used as a greeting towards humans or other cats (usually close relatives) while a half-raised tail shows less pleasure, and unhappiness is expressed with a tail held low.
Some signals, however, are often misunderstood. It is important to keep in mind that each cat may show its feelings with different body language. For instance, a cat rubbing its body along an arm or a leg of its owner is not only a way to attract attention and, perhaps, a way to ask for food; it is also a way of “marking” its owner as its own. Usually a cat with its tail held high and twitching shows excitement, but this is often mistaken for anger.
Many people fail or are too slow to understand the silent body language of cats. And they may have the false impression that cats are cold-hearted, unfaithful or not clever. To understand cats, people must observe a cat closely and learn what its body signals tell them.
1. Which cats’ body language shows that a cat is relaxed?
A.Holding its tail high. | B.Moving its ears back. |
C.Lying on its stomach. | D.Blinking its eyes slowly. |
2. According to the passage, which is wrong?
A.A cat will twitch its tail when it feels sleepy. |
B.A cat will twitch its tail when it is hunting. |
C.A cat will twitch its tail when it feels angry. |
D.A cat will twitch its tail when it is playing. |
3. How many meanings does a cat’s rubbing its body along its owner have?
4. What does the last paragraph intend to tell us?
A.Every cat has its own special body language. |
B.It is not easy to understand cats’ body language. |
C.Many people often have wrong opinions on cats. |
D.We should learn more about cats’ body language. |