4. B。细节题。根据最后一段 But now it takes them very much longer to be bull-grown 可知现在男孩要长大需花费更长的时间。
(3)
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), before saying anything 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, when someone puts his / her thumb up, it
means “Everything is all right”. However, in Sardinia and Greece, the gesture
is insulting and should not be used there.
In the
United States, raising your clasped hands above your head means “I’m the
champion” or “I’m the winner”. It is the sign prizefighters make when they win
a fight. When a leading Russian statesman(政治家)
made this gesture after a White House meeting, Americans misunderstood and
thought he meant he was a winner. In Russia, however, it is a sign of
friendship.
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 comfortable 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.
In
addition to knowing how to communicate nonverbally in a country, it is
important to know what you and he cannot discuss. In the United States, there
are certain topics to avoid when you first meet someone, For example, don’t ask
people their age, weight, religion, marital status(婚姻状况), how much money they earn, or how much
something costs. You can talk about work, the weather, traffic problems,
sports, food, news of the day, where one lives, consumer subjects (computers,
car repairs, and so forth), and travel or vacation plans.
These
few examples illustrate 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.