The body language of animals

山東 孫啟祿

主題語境：肢體語言 篇幅：361詞 關鍵詞：body language

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

2Cats may seem inscrutable (神秘莫測的),but they actually tell quite a lot by their body 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,or nervous,other body language behaviors happen as well.Her ears might twitch (抽搐) or flatten against her head.Her eyes will dilate and her pupils (瞳孔) will become larger.If she is merely upset about something,she will whip her tail around wildly.

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

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

6Beware,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 necessarily going to bite you.He may just be trying to scare you off.

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

?語篇解碼

本文是一篇說明文，主題語境為人與自然，內容涉及動物的肢體語言。通過了解動物的肢體語言，我們可以學到很多關于動物的知識，在遇到動物時確保自己的安全，更好地照顧動物。

?語言學習

Ⅰ.語料薈萃

Ⅱ.語句分析

1.Also,it's well known that a fearful cat's hair will stand on end as she arches her back.此外，眾所周知，當一只貓害怕得拱起背部時，她的毛會豎起來。

【點石成金】本句是一個主從復合句。it 是形式主語，that a fearful cat's hair will stand on end是主語從句，as引導的是時間狀語從句。

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，當貓感到恐懼、防御或緊張時，其他肢體語言行為也會出現。

【點石成金】本句是一個主從復合句。What you might not know 是主語從句，that引導的是表語從句，在表語從句中有一個when引導的時間狀語從句。

?語言運用

Ⅰ.例句仿寫

1.眾所周知，寬容是一種美德，尤其是在這樣一個競爭激烈、充滿壓力的社會。

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

2.給我印象最深的是，我們老師總是營造一種讓我們可以自由交流看法的課堂氛圍。

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

Ⅱ.寫作實踐

英語課上，你學習了有關“肢體語言”主題語境下各國的文化差異。請你用英語寫一篇短文，介紹一下肢體語言。內容包括：

1.介紹肢體語言；

2.肢體語言的作用；

3.使用肢體語言時應注意的問題。注意：

1.詞數80左右；

2.可以適當增加細節，以使行文連貫。