2. Complete the question

Did you see Bob's eyes pop out?

Yes. He sure was surprised to see us, wasn't he?

1. Did you see Dorothy ___________________?

Yes. I think she's the one who took the money.

2. Did you see Peter _____________________?

Yes. I don't think he approved of what we did.

3. Can you believe that Jerry ______________?

No. If / had won a million dollars, the whole town would know about it!

4. Do you know why Kim__________________ ?

I think she thought your joke was ridiculous.

DISCUSSION

1. When we say "He was so surprised that his eyes popped out," we don't mean that this really happened. Explain why we use this expression.

2. Which gestures in this unit are reactions to a surprise? Describe some situations that might cause you to use these gestures.

3. In the United States, lowering one's eyes is an indication of guilt or shame. In some parts of Latin America, this gesture is a sign of respect. How could this be confusing to a Latin American visiting in New York?

4. What might cause you to raise an eyebrow?

5. Are the gestures mentioned in this unit used in your country? Do they mean the same things?

UNIT 9

THE FINGERS AND THE THUMB (2)

RE READING

Sometimes when people are bored, they join the fingers of their hands and turn one thumb around the other. This is called twiddling one's thumbs. In this cartoon, the worker really is twiddling his thumbs, but the boss might ask the same question if the worker were just doing nothing instead of working.

Don’t you have anything better to do then to sit there twiddling your thumbs?

S

Where were you on the night of the murder?

ome people bit their fingernails out of habit. But sometimes people bite their nails because they are nervous or worried. The gesture shows that they are under emotional or mental stress.

We can use that expression without doing the gesture. You might say, for example, "I was really biting my nails while I waited for my exam results." You might not have bitten your nails at all. You just mean, "I was really nervous."

The index finger is the finger next to the thumb. You can signal someone to stop talking or to speak softly by putting your index finger vertically in front of your lips. When people put their finger to their lips, they often say, "Shhh. . . ."

Shhh… Don’t cry.

When you put your index finger and your thumb together to form an O, you are giving the OK sign.

We give this sign to signal that everything is all right or very good.

Ready for takeoff!

To give the victory sign, raise your index finger and the one next to it to form a V. This gesture was first used during World War II to indicate victory or success. During the 1960's, it was used to mean "Peace." Today we use this gesture to show that our sports team has won or to indicate other kinds of success, achievement, or accomplishment.

EX EXERCISES

A. Match the gestures with the situations. Use each gesture once in each section.

a. Some people bite their nails . . .

b. Some people give the victory sign . . .

c. Some people twiddle their thumbs . . .

d. Some people put their fingers to their lips . . .

e. Some people give the OK sign . . .

e 1. when they like something.

_____ 2. when they are bored.

_____3. when they win a game.

_____4. when someone is talking loudly.

_____5. when they are worried.

_____6. because they have nothing better to do.

_____7. because they want silence.

_____8. because they are nervous.

_____9. because they achieved success.

_____10. because everything is all right.

B. Fill in the blanks.

Last night I went to see a war film. I got there very early. There was nothing to do, so I sat and (1) ______________ for twenty minutes. Finally, the seats around me filled up, and the movie began. The children behind me were so noisy that I couldn't hear the actors. I turned around, (2)__________________ and said, "Shhh. . . ." The stopped talking and were quiet after that. The film was very exciting. Several times I was so nervous that I started to (3) ________________ .You probably want to know if it had a happy ending. Yes, the good guys won, of course. In the last scene, the general (4)_________________ to his soldiers. The war was over. Everyone could go home. After the movie, I saw some friends who were waiting to see the next show. When they asked if I liked the film, I (5)_____________ .And you know what? I think you'd like it, too!

DISCUSSION

1. A library is one place where we might see one of the gestures in this unit. Which gesture is it? Where else might we see that gesture?

2. We learned that the sound "Shhh. . . ." can mean "Silence" or "Be quiet." In some Arab countries, it is considered impolite to say this sound to another person. Is it all right to say this sound in your country? What sound do you say to mean "Be quiet"?

3. The victory sign became popular during World War II because Winston Churchill, the leader of Great Britain at that time, frequently used it. Why do you think the fingers are held in this way?

4. What is the difference in meaning between the OK sign and the victory sign?

5. Are the gestures in this unit used in the same way in your country? Explain.

UNIT 10

THE HAND (3)

RE READING

When someone can't hear what another person is saying, he or she often puts one hand behind an ear. By cupping your ear, you catch sound waves, and you can hear better. Cupping the ear also signals that other people should speak louder or repeat something.

Would you repeat that, please?

When you are angry, you might close your hands tightly to form fists. This is called clenching your fists. (At the same time, you might close your mouth tightly and clench your teeth.) Sometimes, we use this gesture to help ourselves control our own actions. For example, you might clench your fists very tightly to keep from hitting someone.

Was I parked there too long, Officer?

To slap means to hit with the open hand. Adults sometimes slap children, but it is usually very insulting for one adult to slap another. In fact, when we are insulted, we can say, "That was a slap in the face."

However, when two friends, especially two male friends, meet each other, one of them might slap the other on the back. This is always done in a friendly way, never to cause harm or pain. Sometimes people slap each other on the back in congratulations. For example, a soccer player might slap a teammate on the back after the teammate makes a goal.

Long time no see! What have you been doing with yourself?

A pat is a very soft slap. Giving someone a pat on the back means "Congratulations," "You did a good job," or "I appreciate what you did."

Another way to show appreciation is to give someone a big hand by clapping and cheering.

Usually, many people join together to give a performer a big hand.

To give someone a hand can also mean "to help someone." There is an old joke about a man who had fallen into a ditch. He asked a musician who was walking by to give him a hand. The musician clapped.

If you understand that joke, you have learned a lot about English gestures and expressions. You studied hard, and you have done very well. You deserve a pat on the back and a big hand!

EX EXERCISES