阅读理解。
Gestures (手势) are the silent language of every culture. We point a finger or move another part of the
body to show what we want to say. It is important to know the body language of every country or we may
be misunderstood.
In the US, people greet each other with a handshake in a formal discussion. The handshake must be firm.
If the handshake is weak, it is a sign of weakness or unfriendliness. Friends may place a hand on the other's
arm or shoulder. Some people, usually women, greet each other with a hug.
Space is important to Americans. When two people talk to each other, they usually stand about 2.5 feet
away and at an angle, so they are not facing each other directly. Americans get uncomfortable when a person
stands too close. They will move back to have their space. If Americans touch another person by accident,
they say, "Pardon me" or "Excuse me".
Americans like to look at the others in the eyes when they are talking. If you don't do so, it means you are
bored, hiding something, or are not interested. When you stare at someone, however, it is not polite.
For Americans, thumbs (拇指)-up means "yes","very good" or"well done". Thumbs-down means the
opposite. To call a waiter, one might put up one hand to head level or above. To show you want the check,
make a movement with your hands as you are signing a piece of paper. It is all right to point at things but not
at people with the hand and index finger (食指). Americans shake their index fingers at children when they
scold them and pat them on the head when they admire them.
Learning a culture's body language is sometimes confusing. If you don't know what to do, the safest thing
to do is to smile.
1. In the US, people usually ____ if you stand too close to them.
A. feel friendly
B. get uncomfortable
C. keep still
D. hit you angrily
2. If you talk with an American friend, it's polite to ____.
A. stare at him/her
B. look at the ground
C. look at him/her in the eyes
D. look here and there
3. When an American gives you the thumbs-up, he, in fact ____.
A. means that you are number one
B. wants to please you
C. needs to call a waiter
D. expresses his satisfaction with you
4. What's the main idea of this passage?
A. People greet each other by shaking hands in America.
B. Every country has its own gestures.
C. Learning a culture's body language is very important and necessary.
D. It is all right to point at things but not at people with the hand and index finger.
