I’m sorry
When you want to say no or to show that you disapprove of something, turn your head from side to side. By shaking your head, you are saying that you are not pleased.
A very common gesture is scratching the head with the fingers or fingernails. People scratch their heads because they itch, of course. But we sometimes scratch our heads when we are confused or are trying to remember something.
Scratching your head can also mean that you are trying to make a decision about something. For example, if someone asks you a question and you're not sure how you want to answer, you might scratch your head while you are thinking. This will indicate that you need a little time before you are ready to answer.
Let me think
T
Heads up!
EX EXERCISES
A. Circle the correct answer.
Bob was scratching his head. He probably . . .
a
.
wasn't
sure of something.
B. had no doubts.
Joan was hanging her head. She probably
a.. was proud of herself.
b. was ashamed of herself.
2. Bob was holding his head up. He probably
a. was proud.
b. was confused.
3. Carol shook her head. She probably . . .
a. liked what she saw.
b. didn't like what she saw.
4. Jim held up his head. He probably . . . a. had done a good job.
b. had done something wrong.
5. Marta shouted "Heads up!" She probably . . .
a. wanted someone to be careful.
b. wanted to see someone's face.
B. Read this news report and fill in the blanks. Use each gesture
or expression only once. Be careful of the verb tenses.
There was a one-car accident at the corner of Market and Broad Streets last night. A passenger, Tom Rosa, was injured. When Dr. Brundage arrived, at least twenty people were gathered around Tom. The doctor shouted, (1) "_________!”and hurried through the crowd. Police Officer Bonnie Fox questioned a man who said he had seen the accident, but he wasn't very helpful. Every time Officer Fox asked him a question, he (2)___________and said either "Let me think" or "I'm not sure." Jane Poundstone, the driver of the car, walked up to Officer Fox. She said, "I am completely responsible for what happened," and she (3)____________ in shame. Officer Fox (4)______________in disapproval. Just then, Dr. Brundage told Tom Rosa that his leg was broken. Tom felt terrible, but he (5) and tried to look brave.
DISCUSSION
Being ashamed and being embarrassed are not the same. We can be embarrassed if we do something stupid or clumsy in public. We are ashamed if we do something that we think is morally wrong. Add to the following lists.
People might feel embarrassed when they . . .
fall down in public __________________________________________________
go to a restaurant, but forget to bring money ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
People might feel ashamed of themselves if they . . .
tell a lie _____________________________________________________________
cheat on an exam _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
These are the words to a song from the musical play Carousel.
When you walk through a storm, Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark,
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.* * a bird
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone!
What is the relationship between hope and courage?
What is the relationship between hope and courage?
There are two gestures in this lesson that show opposite feelings. Can you name the gestures and the feelings?
Write a paragraph in which someone feels terrible about something he or she did. A second person is very disapproving. Describe the gestures each person makes.
Think of a situation in which you might say, "Heads up!"
Are the gestures we studied here used in the same way in your country?
UNIT 5
THE MOUTH
RE READING
Children might also stick out their tongues when they taste food that they don't like. Adults rarely use this gesture. (Note: you can say "stick one's tongue out" or "stick out one's tongue.")
People are sometimes so surprised or shocked by something that they can't speak. Their mouths open, but no words come out. When this happens, we say that they are standing there with their mouths hanging open. Suppose, for example, that someone comes to your door and gives you a check for one million dollars. What do you do? Do you stand there with your mouth hanging open?
Sometimes we want to say something to another person, but we don't want others to hear us. Maybe we want to tell a secret, or maybe we don't want to disturb other people. So we move our mouths to form
the words, but we don't make any sound. We call this mouthing the words. The other person can understand by "reading our lips." (If you mouth the words, be sure the message is short. Otherwise, the other person will find it difficult to understand.)
We can use this expression when we don't believe someone. We say, "He says he'll help us, but he's just mouthing the words." (He's saying the words, but he doesn't mean them.)
People everywhere in the world show happiness by smiling. Usually, the happier we are, the bigger the smile is. When people are extremely happy, we say they are grinning from ear to ear.
There are many kinds of smiles, of course. We might even smile when we are sad or disappointed. We do this because others expect to see a smile or because we want to hide our true feelings. So we force a smile. When you see this kind of smile, you can often tell that it's not sincere. Let's look at an example. Suppose your cousin buys you a present, but you don't like the gift at all. You force a smile and say, "Thank you." Are you a good actor? Will your cousin believe your smile?
EX EXERCISES