Question

When you are in another country, it is important to know the language, but it is equally important to know how to communicate nonverbally(非语言地) by making gestures. According to a pioneer in nonverbal communication, only 30 to 35 percent of our communication is verbal. When people don't know the language, the most common way to communicate is through gestures. However, many gestures have different meanings, or no meaning at all, in different parts of the world.

In the United States, for example, nodding your head up and down means “yes”. In some parts of Greece and Turkey, however, this motion can mean “no”. In Southeast Asia, nodding your head is a polite way of saying “I've heard you”.

In ancient Rome, when the emperor wanted to spare someone's life, he would put his thumb up. Today in the United States, people often put their thumbs up, which means everything is all right. However, in Sardinia and Greece, the gesture is insulting and should not be used there.

In the United States, holding your hand up with the thumb and index finger in a circle and the other three fingers spread out means “Everything is O.K.” and is frequently used by astronauts and politicians. In France and Belgium, it can mean “You’re worth nothing.”

There are other nonverbal signals that people should be aware of when they go to another country, such as the distance to maintain between speakers. Americans usually feel good when speaking with someone if the distance between them is about eighteen inches to arm’s length. Anything closer makes them feel uncomfortable.

When talking to Americans, it is also important to make eye contact. If you look down when talking to an American, he / she may feel that you are embarrassed, afraid, or trying to hide something.

These few examples show that your actions can speak louder than your words. In a particular cultural contest, what you say and what you don’t say are equally important.

 

53. Which of the following is true?

A. People all over the world only communicate verbally.

B. Most of our gestures have no meaning at all.

C. People often communicate through gestures

D. Gestures are a unique way to communicate.

54. When someone puts his / her thumb up in ______, it means everything is all right.

A. ancient Rome  B. the United States         C. France     D. Belgium

55. What is the meaning of “your actions can speak louder than your words” in the passage means ________. 

A. your deeds are better than your words

B. what you do is better than what you say

C. you try to show your best manners

D. you are better understood by your gestures than through your words

56. When you are in another country, ________.

A. it is unimportant to know the language

B. it is important to know a foreigner can certainly understand your gestures

C. to know how to communicate nonverbally is as important as to know the language

D. to communicate through gestures is more important than to know the language

Answer 1

53．C    54．B    55．D    56．C