The body language of animals动物的肢体语言

2023-11-27孙启禄

疯狂英语·读写版 2023年10期

孙启禄

主题语境：肢体语言篇幅：361词关键词：body language

1 Most people don't claim to be able to hold a con?versation with their pets. Pets might understand a fewbasic commands， but a complex conversation is out ofthe question. Their body language， on the other hand，tells much about what they are feeling.

2 Cats may seem inscrutable （神秘莫測的）， but they actually tell quite a lot by theirbody language. Of course， everyone knows that a cat purrs when she's happy and contented.Also， it's well known that a fearful cat's hair will stand on end as she arches her back.

3 What you might not know is that when a cat is feeling fearful， defensive， ornervous， other body language behaviors happen as well. Her ears might twitch （抽搐） orflatten against her head. Her eyes will dilate and her pupils （瞳孔） will become larger. Ifshe is merely upset about something， she will whip her tail around wildly.

4 If you stare at your cat， you can expect a certain type of body language in return. Shewill stop moving altogether. Then， she will alternately look at you and away. However， ifand only if your cat trusts you completely， she will go to sleep with you in the room.

5 Most dogs will prefer to be in a submissive （顺从的） relationship with their owner.To show this through body language， they will lie on their back and show their belly. This isactive submission. In passive submission， they come eagerly towards the owner with theirtail wagging loosely.

6 Beware， though， if the dog is staring at you and his tail is wagging stiffly （僵硬地）.His bark will not be a friendly one. This body language means that the dog feels dominant and aggressive in the situation. If he lifts his lips and shows his teeth， he's not necessarilygoing to bite you. He may just be trying to scare you off.

7 Other animals， maybe all animals， show some form of body language. A lot can belearned about animals by being aware of their body language. You can stay safe around theanimals you come across. More importantly， you can learn to better communicate and takecare of the animals you know.

Reading Check

1. What does it mean when a cat's back is bent upwards？

A. She is angry. B. She is scared.

C. She is excited. D. She is contented.

2. What does the underlined word“ dilate” in paragraph 3 most probably mean？

A. Become wider. B. Become smaller.

C. Become closed. D. Become narrower.

3. What will a dog do if he wants to frighten you away？

A. Wag his tail frequently.

B. Lie on his back and show his belly.

C. Raise his lips and expose his teeth.

D. Approach you with his tails wagging.

4. What does the last paragraph mainly tell us？

A. The research of animals' body language.

B. The differences of animals' body language.

C. The communication with all kinds of animals.

D. The benefits of knowing animals' body language.

语篇解码

本文是一篇说明文，主题语境为人与自然，内容涉及动物的肢体语言。通过了解动物的肢体语言，我们可以学到很多关于动物的知识，在遇到动物时确保自己的安全，更好地照顾动物。

语言学习

Ⅰ. 语料荟萃

Ⅱ. 语句分析

1. Also， it's well known that a fearful cat's hair will stand on end as she arches her back. 此外，众所周知，当一只猫害怕得拱起背部时，她的毛会竖起来。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句。it是形式主语，that a fearful cat's hair willstand on end是主語从句，as引导的是时间状语从句。

2. What you might not know is that when a cat is feeling fearful， defensive， or nervous，other body language behaviors happen as well. 你可能不知道的是，当猫感到恐惧、防御或紧张时，其他肢体语言行为也会出现。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句。What you might not know是主语从句，that引导的是表语从句，在表语从句中有一个when引导的时间状语从句。

语言运用

Ⅰ. 例句仿写

1. 众所周知，宽容是一种美德，尤其是在这样一个竞争激烈、充满压力的社会。

____________________it's a virtue to tolerate， especially in such a competitive and stressful society.

2. 给我印象最深的是，我们老师总是营造一种让我们可以自由交流看法的课堂氛围。

____________________is that our teacher always creates a kind of atmosphere where we can voice our opinions freely.

Ⅱ. 写作实践

英语课上，你学习了有关“肢体语言”主题语境下各国的文化差异。请你用英语写一篇短文，介绍一下肢体语言。内容包括：

1. 介绍肢体语言；

2. 肢体语言的作用；

3. 使用肢体语言时应注意的问题。