Question

    The next time you attend a social function or go to a place where people meet and interact, take note of the number of people who have adopted the same gestures and posture---the way you sit or stand--of the person with whom they are talking. This “carbon copying” is a means by which one person tells the other that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes. By this method, one is non-verbally (非语言的) saying to the other, “As you can see, I think the same as you, so I will copy your posture and gesture.”

This unconscious (无意识地) mimicry is quite interesting to observe. Take, for example, the two men standing at the hotel bar. They have mirrored each other’s gestures and it is reasonable to assume that they are discussing a topic upon which they have the same thoughts and feelings. If one man uncrosses his arms and legs or stands on the other foot, the other will follow. If one puts his hand in his pocket the other will copy and this mimicry will continue for as long as the two men are in agreement.

This copying also occurs among good friends or people of the same social position and it is common to see married couples walk, stand, sit and move in very similar ways. People who are strangers, however, try hard to avoid holding mutual(相互的) positions. The significance of carbon copying can be one of the most important non-verbal lessons we can learn, for this is one way that others tell us that they agree with us or like us. It is also a way for us to tell others that we like them, by simply copying their gestures.

If an employer wishes to develop immediate friendliness and create a relaxing atmosphere with an employee, he needs to copy the employee’s posture to achieve the end. Similarly, an up-and-coming employee may be seen copying his boss’s gestures in an attempt to show agreement. Using the knowledge, it is possible to influence a face-to-face encounter by copying the positive gestures and postures of the other person. This has the effect of putting the other person in a receptive and relaxed frame of mind and he can “see” that you understand his point of view.

1.What is the best title for the passage?

A.Carbon Copying---Showing Agreement B.Developing Non-verbal Communication

C.How to avoid Carbon Copying D.Proper Social Behavior

2.What is "carbon copying" according to the passage?

A.To adopt identical gesture of others. B.To repeat what others have said.

C.To show agreement with others. D.To mock others.

3.In which of the following groups is carbon copying NOT frequently seen?

A.Married couples B.People not familiar with each other.

C.Good friends. D.People of the same social position.

4.What should an employer do to created a relaxing atmosphere for an employee?

A.Be polite. B.Avoid copying the employee’s gesture.

C.Be helpful. D.Copy the gesture of the employee.

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了“carbon copying（复制）”现象，是指一个人通过模仿另一个人的姿势和手势，来告诉另一个人自己赞同他的想法和态度。同时列举这种现象经常发生的场所，以及如何利用这些知识来让对方处于一种接受和放松的心态，“看到”你理解他的观点。

1.主旨大意题。根据第一段中This “carbon copying” is a means by which one person tells the other that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes.（这种“复制”是指一个人告诉另一个人他同意他的想法和态度。）以及文章主要围绕“carbon copying”是通过模仿另一个人的姿势和手势来表达自己对他的赞同所展开的，故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第一段中This “carbon copying” is a means by which one person tells the other that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes. By this method, one is non-verbally saying to the other, “As you can see, I think the same as you, so I will copy your posture and gesture.”（这种“复制”是指一个人告诉另一个人他同意他的想法和态度。通过这种方法，一个人不用语言就能对另一个人说:“你看，我和你想的一样，所以我会模仿你的姿势和手势。”）可知“carbon copying”是指采用和别人相同的手势。故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中People who are strangers, however, try hard to avoid holding mutual positions.（然而，陌生人会尽量避免持有共同的立场。）可知彼此不熟悉的人们不常看到“复制”现象。故选B。

4.细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句If an employer wishes to develop immediate friendliness and create a relaxing atmosphere with an employee, he needs to copy the employee’s posture to achieve the end.（如果雇主希望与雇员建立直接的友好关系，营造轻松的氛围，他需要模仿雇员的姿势来达到目的。）可知雇主可以通过模仿雇员的动作，为雇员创造一个轻松的气氛。故选D。