【推荐2】Mr. Garcia, a businessman from Madrid, Spain, is speaking English to one of his customers, Mr. Patton, from Vancouver, Canada. Mr. Garcia slowly approaches Mr. Patton.     1    . This slow dance continues throughout the conversation until Mr. Patton is against the wall.

What is going on here? Probably a misunderstanding in body language.

Body language is one kind of nonverbal communication which plays a key role in communication.    2    .

For example, in the above case, Spanish speakers enjoy a much closer speaking distance than English speakers.

Another example is eye contact. In many American Indian and East Asian cultures, respect is shown by not looking directly into the eyes.    3    . Because anything less than full eye contact is considered disrespectful or even devious in their culture.

Sometimes gestures used in different languages have contrary meanings.    4    . In Vietnam and China, the gesture for “come here” is quite similar to that of waving “good-bye” in English. Thus, when speakers of these two cultures are leaving each other, fun things may happen.

    5    . The best way to learn gestures for any language or culture is to stay a while in a foreign country to learn not only what people say but how they say it.

A．The latter slowly steps away.

B．Body language is very important.

C．This can produce a humorous effect.

D．But it is not the same in all cultures.

E．Mr. Patton walks slowly in the room.

F．For Western Europeans, the opposite is true.

G．Learning body gestures is rather difficult from textbooks.

【推荐3】Body language is a powerful means of communication used by both humans and animals. Through gestures, facial expressions, and postures, individuals express emotions, intentions, and establish social connections. This nonverbal form of communication plays a crucial role in promoting understanding and establishing strong relationships.

In the human world, body language is an essential part of daily interactions. A smile can instantly convey happiness and friendliness, while a furrowed brow may signify worry or confusion. Even slight changes in posture can communicate confidence or depression. By paying attention to these nonverbal signals, individuals can better understand the underlying emotions and thoughts of others, thus strengthening their ability to understand and connect with each other.

Interestingly, animals also rely heavily on body language to communicate within their own species and even across different species. For instance, a wagging tail in a dog usually means excitement or happiness. Similarly, puffed-up feathers in birds can indicate attacks, while a relaxed body posture may suggest satisfaction. By understanding these signals, animals can effectively convey messages and establish social classes, ultimately improving their chances of survival and successful reproduction.

Furthermore, body language often overcomes language barriers, enabling communication between individuals who do not share a common language. This is particularly important in diverse societies or in situations where verbal communication is not possible. In such cases, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements become fundamental in conveying messages and building connections.

Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that body language is not always the same. Cultural differences and individual personality traits can affect the interpretation of certain gestures and expressions. For example, direct eye contact is generally considered a sign of respect and focus in Western cultures, while it may be seen as a challenge or disrespect in other cultures. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of these differences when interpreting body language in cross-cultural communication.

1. What can we learn about body language from paragraph 1?

A．It is only used by humans.

B．It is limited to verbal communication.

C．It can express emotions and intentions.

D．It is ineffective in bridging language barriers.

2. What does the underlined word “depression” mean in paragraph2?

A．Being proud.

B．Losing heart.

C．Discomfort.

D．Curiosity.

3. Why is body language important in diverse societies?

A．It bridges language barriers.

B．It helps establish social classes.

C．It is the primary form of communication.

D．It removes the need for verbal communication.

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Animals rely only on verbal communication.

B．Body language is universally interpreted the same way.

C．Understanding body language can lead to successful reproduction.

D．Cultural differences can affect the interpretation of body language.

【推荐2】阅读下面的短文，根据题目要求用英文回答问题。

There is a drive within all of us to create and express ourselves through art. This drive comes from a need to achieve a balance within ourselves. Art refers to the theory and physical expression of creativity found in human societies_and cultures. Its major fields include literary arts, performing arts (e. g. theater and dance) and visual arts (e. g. drawing, painting, photography, film and sculpture).

Art is essential to our culture because it provides us with a deeper understanding of emotions. Through art, we learn to feel joy in times of happiness and we see pain and despair in times of suffering. Creating art allows us to slow down and experience a full range of our emotions, while viewing others’ art can release the emotions within us and allow us to explore our feelings. This can help us heal and grow, and succeed both personally and professionally.

Art encourages critical thinking and promotes communication. Throughout the entire process of creating and appreciating art, we need to make decisions. We use logic and reasoning to find meaning in what we see or create. Art is a medium to share thoughts, ideas and visions that may not be expressed in other ways. Through art, we gain a better understanding of past and present cultures. Yet more importantly, there are no language barriers in art and therefore it is universal.

Art also enhances our lives. The process of experiencing art engages both the body and the mind and provides us with time to reflect. That’s why art is a necessity, not a luxury. It can make a community more beautiful and a workplace more interesting. Our homes reflect our personalities through the art we choose to display. Art can inspire us, make us happy and even motivate us.

We need to express ourselves through art. When we take a closer look at our world and begin to see the art and creativity in it, it can soothe, enrich or encourage ourselves. Art is beautiful , and beauty is an aesthetic quality.

1. What drives people to create and express themselves through art?
_________________________________________________________________
2. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
Art helps people gain a better understanding of past and present cultures, and the language barriers make it difficult for people to appreciate art.
_________________________________________________________________
3. What is the passage mainly about?
_________________________________________________________________
4. What is your favourite art form? And why?(In about 40 words)
_________________________________________________________________

【推荐3】Be it from the mouths of foreigners who have lived here for a few years or from stories on travel websites, one of the most common qualities that people list about Shanghai is the infectious energy that courses through the city.

For some, this energy is defined by the way of life—Shanghai is a city that never sleeps. In the day, the streets are always bustling with people from all over the world. After all, the city has long been China’s most cosmopolitan city, having been the epicenter of trade and cultural exchange between Chinese and foreigners since the city was forced to open its door to the world in 1843 after the First Opium War (1840-42).

Shanghai’s ubiquitous delivery people can be found on the roads even past midnight, rushing from point to point on their trusty electric scooters to satiate the hunger of night owls. Even before the break of dawn, pensioners can be found gathering in parks, ready to kick start their day with a tai chi session.

For others, this energy is generated from the friction between the contrasts the city has. Indeed, it does not take long for one to realize that Shanghai's charm lies in it being a binary of old and new.

Here, charming neoclassical architecture and art deco structures stand alongside modern buildings with shimmering glass and metal facades, rustic (质朴的)lane houses and shikumen buildings. Humble mom-and-pop shops that look stuck in time can often be found right next to hip dining venues or industrial-chic fashion stores selling designer apparel.

One of the best places to get an overview of these surreal contrasts is none other than the tallest building in the city — the Shanghai Tower in Lujiazui. Measuring a dizzying 632 meters in height, this architectural marvel boasts having the world's highest observation deck within a building or structure. It also comes with the world's fastest elevators which would get you from the bottom to the top at 20.5 meters per second.

On the other side of the Huangpu River is where you would find the Bund, which is home to magnificent neoclassical buildings. The Bund is to Shanghai what Times Square is to New York or what the Champs-61ysees is to Paris. A trip to Shanghai would not be complete without exploring this iconic waterfront promenade.

Autumn is the best time to experience Shanghai on foot, not merely because the weather is conducive for walking, but because this is when the roads and sidewalks in many areas are blanketed with a layer of colorful fallen leaves.

1. Why is the example of delivery man mentioned?

A．To make a contrast with pensioners’ biological clock.

B．To illustrate the vibrant energy of modern Shanghai.

C．To highlight the diligence and consideration of delivery man.

D．To feature the courier delivery service in full swing.

2. Which of the following is TRUE about the contrast of Shanghai?

A．The contrast mainly arises from the First Opium War.

B．The design of the Shanghai Tower stands for a contrast.

C．A marked contrast is shown in the use of building materials.

D．The dishes served in mom-and-pop shops represent the outdated flavor.

3. The underlined word “hip” in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to________.

A．photographic

B．modest

C．peculiar

D．stylish

4. Which of the following will be most probably discussed following the last paragraph?

A．Stunning views of the Shanghai skyline.

B．The best places to view the seasonal spectacle.

C．The walking path that hugs the Huangpu River.

D．Must-try dishes and food items typical of Shanghai.