Being a place where you can’t speak the local language can be difficult for you to live. Is it possible for us to take a dictionary all the time? Of course, no! It’s only natural to communicate through body language. Hands can show something easily, but their meanings are different in different places.
Trying to call someone to come to you can not be understood easily. Because it depends on where you are. The same gesture may mean very different things in different places. Westerners do it with a hooked (弯曲的) forefinger and a raised palm (手掌). Asians do it in an opposite way and they don’t like the westerner’s way to ask for coming. In their opinion, they often do this to call the dog. Instead, when calling someone to come, Asians turn the palm down and wave all fingers together, and this is how Western people tell someone to go away.
Even the simplest hand movement can cause cross-cultural problems. In the West, a thumb up has a good meaning and a thumb down a bad one. However, you might be surprised to know that in the Middle East, a thumb up has a negative meaning and a thumb down has no meaning at all.
Body language may be a natural and good choice when you can’t communicate in local language. Some simple movements, gestures or even a blink of your eye may work just fine. Even if you don’t understand the words at all, it is still funny and useful to try body language.
1. Which might cause bad feelings to an Asian person traveling in the West?| A．Showing a thumb up to express something good. |
| B．Making a “peace” sign when his or her picture is taken. |
| C．Using a dictionary to speak to someone. |
| D．Calling Asians to come in the Western way. |
| A．Try to use as much body language as possible. |
| B．Always remember to take a dictionary with you. |
| C．Body language is more preferred than the local language. |
| D．The local meanings of body language should be learnt earlier. |
| A．He thinks it’s worrying. | B．He’s angry about it. |
| C．He would like to use it. | D．He thinks it’s simple to use. |
| A．The Bad Description of Travellers | B．Same Body Language, Different Meanings |
| C．Strange Effects of Body Language | D．Funny Cultures in the World |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Body language is the quietest and the most powerful language of all! It is said that our body movements communicate about 50% of what we really mean while words themselves only do 7%. So while your mouth is closed, just what is your body saying.
Arms. How you hold your arms shows how receptive(接受的)you are to people you meet. If you keep your arms to the sides of your body or behind your back, this suggests you are not afraid of taking on whatever comes your way. Outgoing people usually use their arms keep them close to their bodies. If someone makes you angry, just cross your arms to show you're unhappy.
Head. When you want to show your confidence, keep your head level(水平的). If you are a monitor in class, you can also take on this position when you want your words to be taken seriously. However, to be friendly in listening or speaking, you must move your head a little to one side.
Legs. Your legs will move around a lot more than normal when you are nervous or telling lies. If you are at interviews, try to keep them still.
Mouth. When you are thinking, you often purse(噘起)your mouth. You might also use this position to hold back angry words you don't wish to say. However, it will probably still be noticed, and people will know you're not happy.
1. According to the passage, ____________play(s) an important part in communication.| A．words | B．body language | C．arms and legs | D．head and mouth |
| A．keep your head level | B．tilt（使偏斜）your head |
| C．keep your arms to the sides of your body | D．purse your mouth |
| A．his legs always keep still | B．he moves his head a little to one side |
| C．he keeps his arms close to his body | D．his legs are easy to move around much |
| A．keeping your head level | B．keeping your arms behind your back |
| C．pursing your mouth | D．moving your legs around a lot |
【推荐2】A teacher was teaching his students about the importance of body language. He explained to the students that sometimes our body says one thing but our mouth says the opposite. He told the students some examples.
First, he put his hands on his sides, spread his feet, looked into the sky and said, “I am shy.” Then he asked the students, “Do you believe my words?” Everyone shook their head. It was very clear that though his mouth said one thing, his body said another. In order to make his students understand this, he then told them a story.
There is a boat crossing the ocean. Two men, who say they cannot swim, start arguing with each other about what they should do if the boat sinks. As they argue, they gesture with great power. At that time, their friend doesn’t want to get hurt, so he swims away. Suddenly, the boat begins to sink. Everyone jumps overboard except for the two men. After a long time, their friend finally reaches the shore.
However, he is amazed to find the two men have already been there. He is surprised and asks them how they got there. “We have no idea,” says one of them. “We just kept on arguing in the water.” As you guess, the two men argue with their mouths, and swim with their bodies.
Finally, all the students understood the class.
1. What does the underlined part mean?| A．What our mouth says is similar to what our body says. |
| B．What our mouth says is different from what our body says. |
| C．What our mouth says is better than what our body says. |
| D．What our mouth says is worse than what our body says. |
| A．They argue about who can swim better. | B．They argue about their gestures. |
| C．They argue about what to do if the boat sinks. | D．They argue about how to reach the shore. |
| A．Because he doesn’t want to get hurt. | B．Because they argue too loudly. |
| C．Because other passengers ask him to do that. | D．Because he wants to stay alone. |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．To teach us some gestures. | B．To tell us an interesting story. |
| C．To show us some useful examples. | D．To tell us the importance of body language. |
In most countries, nodding the head up and down shows agreement, while shaking the head means that you do not agree, or that you would not like to do something. If you stand holding your arms across your chest, you may be protecting yourself---just from a conversation you do not want! If you sit looking at the person you are talking to and then turn toward to him, it shows that you are interested. If you roll your eyes and turn your head away, most likely you do not believe what you are hearing, or you do not like what you hear.
1. Body language shows__________.
| A．all kinds of feelings | B．some special feelings |
| C．nothing | D．only happy feelings |
| A．it always shows he is very happy |
| B．it always means he hides some feelings |
| C．there may be some other feelings behind the smile. |
| D．it shows he is angry, worried or frightened. |
| A．In most countries | B．In all countries |
| C．In some countries | D．In Western Countries |
| A．he wants to protect himself from a conversation he doesn’t want |
| B．he is very interested in the conversation |
| C．he is pleased with the man he is talking to |
| D．he wants to know more about the man he is talking to |
Mr Li: Sam, did you enjoy your first Spring Festival in China?
Sam: Yes, I did. During this festival, many family members get together.
Mr Li: Yes, I hear that at Thanksgiving Americans also get together for a special meal. It sounds similar.
Sam: Yes. It's similar. During these holidays, both the Chinese and Americans come home and have a big dinner. It's great fun.
Mr Li: What do you think are the main differences between the Spring Festival and Thanksgiving?
Sam: Well, we take part in different activities and eat different kinds of food. In China, people usually set off fireworks and eat dumplings. In the US, we usually watch a Thanksgiving parade and an American football game on TV. We also eat turkey.
Mr Li: That's interesting.
1. Who spent the first Spring Festival in China, Sam or Mr Li?| A．Sam. | B．Mr Li. | C．Both. | D．Neither. |
a. set off fireworks b. watch a Thanksgiving parade
c. enjoy a football game on TV d. get together for a special meal
| A．a; b | B．c; d | C．a; d | D．b; c |
| A．Exciting. | B．Interesting. | C．Similar. | D．Different. |
 Birthday Traditions Birthdays are celebrated around the world. Some traditions are quite similar from country to country: candies, cakes and birthday wishes. Others are quite different. Here are a few. Argentina In Argentina, as in many Latin American countries, one of the most important birthday parties is a girl’s fifteenth. When girls turn fifteen, they have a huge party and dance the waltzfirst with their father, and then the boys at the party. Denmark A flag is flown outside a window to show that someone who lives in that house is having a birthday. Presents are placed around the child’s bed while he/she is sleeping. The Netherlands Special year birthdays such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 21 are called the crown year and the birthday children receive a very large gift. You can always see flowers around the child’s chair. lsrael A small child sits in a chair while adults lift it up and down a number of times according to the child’s age, plus one for good luck. Japan The birthday child wears new clothes to start the day. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the local shrine. These are the third and seventh birthdays for girls and the fifth for boys. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Denmark and Israel | B．Denmark and Japan |
| C．the Netherlands and Japan | D．the Netherlands and Israel |
| A．why birthday traditions are completely different |
| B．what quite similar traditions are in different countries |
| C．how children celebrate birthdays in different countries |
| D．where children celebrate birthdays in different countries |
【推荐3】The COVID-19 (新冠肺炎) outbreak is changing people’s traditional habits such as greetings and customs. People in different countries have had some new and creative choices. Knowing about this could help us understand their cultures and communicate with each other.
France
Newspapers have been filled with advice on how to replace (取代) handshaking and kissing on the cheek. Now looking into a person’s eyes can satisfy that as a greeting.
Romania
Martisor Festival marks the begmning of spring when the flowers and talismans (护身符) are handed out. But the government has told people to hand over the flowers and talismans without kissing.
China
People are called on to greet each other through the Internet and not to get together if possible. They can join their hands together as a sign of greetings instead of shaking hands when they meet.
Iran
A video has become popular. It shows that three friends are meeting. Two of them are wearing masks (口罩). Hands in their pockets, they tap their feet against each other as a greeting.
Australia
People are not advised to shake hands. And instead, they can give each other a pat on the back. “I won’t say Don’t kiss’, but you could be exercising a degree of care with whom you choose to kiss.” said an officer.
1. How are Chinese people called on to greet each other?| A．By greeting online. | B．By handing out talismans. | C．By tapping feet. |
| A．Romania. | B．Iran. | C．Australia. |
| A．Nobody wears masks in the video from Iran. |
| B．Shaking hands is not advised in China or France. |
| C．People in Romania welcome spring with only flowers now. |
| A．Kissing on the cheek. | B．Joining hands together. | C．Looking into the eyes. |
| A．People might change their social behavior. |
| B．People might value their traditional festivals more. |
| C．People might spread cultures in different countries. |
【推荐1】Traveling by train is usually not easy in China. It can be hard to get a ticket. When you’re traveling to the railway station you look at your watch, afraid you will miss your train.
But there is good news for people traveling between Beijing and Shanghai. Construction（建设）on the express railway between the two cities started just before the Spring Festival of 2008. When it is finished by 2013, taking a train will be as easy as taking a bus.
“There will be trains every several minutes. Buying a ticket, getting through the checkpoint（检查）and taking your seat, will take just 10 minutes,” said an engineer. There may be high-speed trains running at 350 kilometers an hour. The travel time between the two cities will decrease from 10 to about 5 hours. The trains will carry twice the present number of passengers.
The new line will be 1,318 kilometers long and go across specially built bridges. It will run alongside the present line. There will be 21 stations in Hebei Tianjin, Shandong, Anhui and Jiangsu.
“The cost of traveling by the express railway may be around 800 yuan. That will be more expensive than an ordinary train, but cheaper than by air.” Said Zhang Xiaoling, a Jiangsu government official.
According to Zhang, the higher price is caused by the large cost of the railway project. At about 200 billion yuan, the project may be even more expensive than the Three Gorges Project（三峡工程）.
1. The express railway between Beijing and Shanghai will be finished ________.| A．at the end of this year | B．before the Spring Festival of 2008 |
| C．after 2013 | D．in about 5 years |
| A．延长 | B．缩短 | C．提速 | D．限速 |
| A．Traveling by train is usually difficult in China because tickets are too expensive. |
| B．The high-speed trains will have 21 stations in Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Hunan and Jiangsu. |
| C．Tickets for the high-speed trains will be cheaper than those for planes. |
| D．The cost of the express railway project is as high as that of the Three Gorges Project. |
| A．An enormous project. | B．Train tickets will get more expensive. |
| C．Specially built bridges. | D．Beijing-Shanghai express railways. |
【推荐2】Bringing a pet into a family with small children around is not a decision to make easily. Many parents are concerned about the health and safety of the kids with pets around. However, there are many benefits for kids growing up with them.
Kids with pets like dogs go outside more often for daily walks, exercise and have more playtime with them. A study showed that children with pets around are more likely to move more. Other studies found similar results with disabled children and chat pets can help them to deal with the condition.
Kids growing up with pets can be taught responsibility. Experts explained in an article how adopting a pet into a family with kids can teach young humans responsibility. Pets require food, water and love. Feeding and caring for a pet encourages children to learn the value of responsibility.
Studies showed that kids with pets are more relaxed. A study showed reduction of stress and anxiety in kids of some families with pets. A fellow-up study with a bigger sample (样本) size of kids in regular families proved the earlier conclusion.
Kids who get pets often read to their pets. Researchers found their reading improves clearly. They also found that reading to pets helps children make positive connections between things. Improving reading motivation (积极性) improves trading performance. This may be especially important for students who struggle to read because poor reading abilities are also related (有关的) to low reading motivation.
Parents should practice safety tips for raising kids and pets together. This partnership can result in children growing up much healthier both mentally and physically.
1. What are the benefits for children growing up with pets?a. Children have more chances to exercise.
b. Children can learn the value of responsibility.
c. Children’s reading abilities may be improved.
d. Children with pets may have more stress and anxiety.
| A．a, b, c | B．a, b, d | C．a, c, d | D．b, c, d |
| A．Because reading to pets can make kids active in reading. |
| B．Because kids like reading to their pets aloud. |
| C．Because kids with pets have poor reading abilities. |
| D．Because reading to pets is more important for kids. |
| A．①②\\③④\\⑤⑥ | B．①②\\③④⑤\\⑥ |
| C．①\\②③④⑤\\⑥ | D．①\\②③④\\⑤⑥ |
| A．Why not Raise a Pet at Home |
| B．How to Teach Kids to Raise a Pet |
| C．The Advantages and Disadvantages of Keeping Pets |
| D．Raising Pets is Good for Kids’ Growth |
【推荐3】The way to see water’s temperature
Here’s how to tell whether a glass contains (容纳) hot water or cold water—without ever touching it!
You’ll need
·2 drinking glasses that are exactly alike
·Ice cubes (块)
·Adult helper
·Bathtub (浴缸) or shower
·Pencil and paper
❶ Fill one glass with cold tap water and cool it with ice cubes. Don’t use a lot of ice, just cool it a little.
❷ Fill the other glass with very hot water.
❸ Pour both glasses out into the tub at the same time and speed. Repeat this process (过程) a few times, and watch closely each time.
❹ Ask your helper to fill the glasses again and not tell you which is which. When you see the water splash in the tub, guess which one is the hot water.
❺ Repeat several times. Keep score on your paper. You should be able to guess correctly more than half the time.
What happens?
Cold water is more dense (稠密的) than hot water, so a cup of cold water is just a little bit heavier than a cup of hot water.
When you pour hot water onto a hard surface, it splashes (溅起) around more than the cold water because it’s less dense.1. The picture mainly tells us ______.
| A．the way to see water’s temperature |
| B．what we need to do the experiment |
| C．what happens if the glass is filled with cold water |
| D．what happens if the glass is filled with hot water |
| A．a bathtub | B．a shower |
| C．a glass with cold water | D．a glass with hot water |
| A．A news report. | B．A science poster. | C．A comic. | D．A story book. |
| A．You can do it without others’ help. |
| B．At least two different drinking glasses are needed. |
| C．Cold water seems much heavier than hot water. |
| D．You don’t have to touch the water to find it’s cold or hot. |
| A．By watching. | B．By weighing. | C．By feeling. | D．By touching. |
