English Vocabulary in Use Advanced » Unit 62: Manner: behaviour and body language

Word List
  • beam
  • courteous
  • courtesy
  • discourteous
  • the done thing
  • etiquette
  • flinch
  • insolent
  • manner
  • manners
  • netiquette
  • offhand
  • raise your eyebrows
  • smirk
  • sniff at something
  • snort
  • squirm
  • stand on ceremony
  • straitlaced
  • titter
  • twitch
Exercises

62.1 ‣ Complete the sentences with words from A opposite.

  1. A light kiss on each cheek is the _____ thing in some cultures when you meet someone you know.
  2. Some people don’t seem to follow any kind of _____ when posting messages on social network sites and often post offensive or bullying material.
  3. She was very _____ and hardly looked at me when she replied.
  4. Joanna and David always taught their children to have good _____.
  5. We don’t stand on _____ in this house – just help yourself to anything you want from the fridge.
  6. I’m sick of your _____ comments. It’s time you learnt to speak politely to people. You’re so rude!
  7. For a young person, she’s very _____ and old-fashioned in her ideas and behaviour.
  8. The school considers it important that students should always address their teachers in a _____ manner. Anyone who behaves in a _____ way will be reported to the Director.

62.2 ‣ Answer these questions.

  1. Jamie was twitching all evening. Do you think he was relaxed?
    _____
  2. Kate sniffed at every comment I made at the meeting. How did Kate feel about my comments?
    _____
  3. Jack flinched when I touched his arm. Why do you think he flinched?
    _____
  4. The teenagers’ behaviour on the bus raised a few of the other passengers’ eyebrows. What must the teenagers’ behaviour have been like?
    _____
  5. Look at the photo; Meg’s smirking and Tanya’s beaming. Who does the speaker think looks nicer – Meg or Tanya?
    _____
  6. There was an occasional titter at the comedian’s jokes. Do you think the comedian was pleased at how his jokes were received?
    _____
  7. Ritva squirmed in her chair when Karl said her photo was in the paper. How do you think Ritva felt?
    _____
  8. Their children had dreadful table manners. How do you think the children behaved during meals? What sorts of things did they probably do?
    _____

62.3 ‣ Choose the best word to complete each of these sentences.

  1. Brendan _____ with laughter all through the play.
    • sniffed
    • snorted
  2. Whenever I’m tired or nervous, my eyelid starts to _____.
    • twitch
    • flinch
  3. Don’t keep _____ in your chair like that – sit still and behave yourself.
    • squirming
    • smirking
  4. The students _____ when the teacher tripped over the wastepaper basket.
    • twitched
    • tittered
  5. The dentist stopped drilling as soon as he felt me _____.
    • flinch
    • snort
  6. She _____ with happiness all through the wedding ceremony.
    • twitched
    • beamed

62.4 ‣ Draw lines connecting the words and expressions on the right with the parts of the body mostly involved in the behaviour.

  1. eyes: _____
  2. mouth: _____
  3. nose: _____
  4. no specific part of the body: _____

62.5 ‣

Over to you

Imagine that someone who is going to live and work in your country asks you about what is considered to be good/bad manners and about codes of etiquette in your culture. What things would you consider important to tell them?
Answer Key
A ‣ Manners

Courtesy is still important nowadays. [politeness and respect]

The teacher said her students were always very courteous. [polite and respectful]

She addressed the customer in a very discourteous manner. [impolite and lacking respect]

I hope I didn’t appear offhand with her – it’s just that I was in such a hurry. [showing a rude lack of interest in others]

The boy had an insolent expression on his face which irritated me. [rude and not showing respect (much stronger than discourteous)]

What’s the etiquette at a traditional Chinese wedding? Do you know? I’ve had an invitation to one. [set of rules or customs for accepted behaviour in particular social groups or social situations]

Here, have a seat. Relax – there’s no need to stand on ceremony. [behave in a formal way]

My elderly uncle and aunt are both rather straitlaced. [having old-fashioned and fixed morals]

Asking for more food at a formal dinner party is just not the done thing. [what you are expected to do in a social situation]

When taking part in online discussions, always follow netiquette and keep your comments brief. [code of behaviour when using the internet]

Language help

Manners, meaning the way we behave with one another socially, is plural, e.g. We need to employ staff with good manners (NOT good manner). Manner (singular) is a more formal alternative to ‘way (of doing something)’, e.g. He greeted everyone in a friendly manner.

B ‣ Body language and non-verbal language

Research shows that we communicate more through body language and non-verbal noises than we are aware. Here are some examples of how we indicate emotion through our non-verbal behaviour:

verb/expressionwhat it indicatescomment
raise your eyebrowssurprise or shock (either showing or causing)either a person or behaviour can raise eyebrows
twitchnervousnessrepeated small movements with part of the body
flinchpain or fearsudden small movement
squirmembarrassment or nervousnessmove from side to side in an awkward way
smirkself-satisfactionsmile (negative associations)
beamhappinessbroad smile (positive associations)
sniff at somethingdisapprovalbreathe air in through your nose in a way that makes a noise
snortdisgust or great amusementmake an explosive sound by forcing air quickly up or down your nose
titternervousness or embarrassmentsmall laugh

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