Nonverbal Communications
Although most of us believe that we communicate almost exclusively with words, research has shown that nonverbal communication is at least as important. Gestures and tone of voice are important cues in determining others’ responses to us. Individuals who are not aware of information conveyed nonverbally are at a social disadvantage. In fact, children who fail to “read” such messages tend to be unpopular and underachievers. Children who are overeager or speak loudly, for example, may offend other children, or adults. When they fail to adjust their behavior on the basis of others’ responses, they aggravate the situation.
Adults may offend their peers also by their inattention to nonverbal responses. The sense of personal space varies among individuals and cultures. The salesman who puts his arm around the shoulder of a prospective buyer should realize the possible consequences of his gesture. physical contact conveys sense of intimacy that the relationship may or may not warrant. Standing very close to someone during a face-to-face conversation may produce a negative reaction. In fact, you may observe the person back away. practice and traditions are more permissive in some cultures than in ours. In Latin American countries between conversationalists is smaller than it is in the United States. In most situations, however, regardless of power often take or receive more space. picture a chairperson at a board or committee meeting sitting at the head or commanding center of the table. Think of the teacher whose large desk is surrounded by more space than the students’ smaller desks.
Tone of voice also conveys messages and emotions. “Beautiful” may be used to describe bouquet of roses or a black eye, but the tone of voice will not be the same. “Thanks a lot” can be said with genuine gratitude or with sarcasm.
Dog trainers report that dogs respond to tone of voice than to the particular words that are said. Dogs are often praised in a consistent tone of voice that may be slightly high-pitched and somewhat singsong. They will respond to this tone of voice with wagging tails even if the words don’t match.
6. The main point of the article is that____.
A. dogs and humans communicate the same way.
B. gestures and tone of voice convey a great deal of information.
C. our system of communication is changing rapidly.
D. only human beings are capable of verbal communication.
7. Nonverbal communication is important for____.
A. interpersonal relationships
B. dog trainings
C. foreign travel
D. communication between humans and other animals
8. According to the article, communication problems arise when____.
A. people send the wrong signals
B. individual miss nonverbal cues
C. culture clash
D. people use the same signal to mean differently
9. The issue of personal space is related to____.
A. religious values
B. shyness
C. power
D. privacy
10. The author includes the example about dogs to show that_____.
A. dogs are important too
B. nonverbal communication occurs in varied situations
C. tone of voice affects different ranges of hearing
D. dogs are more capable of nonverbal communication than other animals
参考答案：
6.B
道题考察我们对全文中心思想的把握。这篇文章的篇幅较短，所以判断文章的中心思想是比较容易。在文章第一段中，作者提到了手势和语调，它们在判断别人对我们的回应时起着重要的暗示作用。既然可以起到重要的暗示作用，也就说明手势和语调可以传达大量的信息。
7.A
在文章的第段和第二段中都提到了非口头交流的重要性。不论大人还是小孩，如果忽略了非口语交流方式传达的信息，就会处于不利，甚至还会冒犯他人。所以说，非口头交流对人际关系很重要。
8.B
第一段中有这样一句话：Individuals who are not aware of information conveyed nonverbally are at a social disadvantage. 结合这句话以及后面段落中举出的例子，可以很容易判断出这一结论：如果人们忽略了非口头交流的暗示作用，就会引发交流上的问题和障碍。
9.C
文章的第三段告诉我们：在许多情况下，掌握着权力的人总是拥有更大的空间。这也从一个侧面反映出个人空间与权力是有联系的。
10.B
本文是围绕着非口头交流这一方式展开的，文章主要介绍了这种交流方式的重要作用以及它的一些特点。在文章末尾，作者给出了一个小狗的例子，以此来说明非口头交流(语调)甚至出现在与动物的交流中。可见，作者其实是要以此来说明非口头交流方式出现在不同的情况下。
