The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups.Silences may be thoughtful, or they may be empty when a person has nothing to say. A silence in a conversation may also show stubbornness, uneasiness, or worry. Silence may be viewed by some cultural groups as extremely uncomfortable; therefore attempts may be made to fill every gap(间隙) with conversation. Persons in other cultural groups value silence and view it as necessary for understanding a person's needs.
Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person from one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what may be implied(暗示) is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing.In these cultures, silence is a call for reflection.
Other cultures may use silence in other ways, particularly when dealing with conflicts among people or in relationships of people with different amounts of power. For example, Russian, French, and Spanish persons may use silence to show agreement between parties about the topic under discussion. However, Mexicans may use silence when instructions are given by a person in authority rather than be rude to that person by arguing with him or her. In still another use, persons in Asian cultures may view silence as a sign of respect, particularly to an elder or a person in authority.
Nurses and other care-givers need to be aware of the possible meanings of silence when they come across the personal anxiety their patients may be experiencing. Nurses should recognize their own personal and cultural construction of silence so that a patient’s silence is not interrupted too early or allowed to go on unnecessarily. A nurse who understands the healing(治愈) value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients from their own and from other cultures.
207．What does the author say about silence in conversations?
A．It implies anger.
B．It promotes friendship.
C．It is culture-specific.
D．It is content-based.
208．Which of the following people might regard silence as a call for careful thought?
A．The Chinese.
B．The French.
C．The Mexicans.
D．The Russians.
209．What does the author advise nurses to do about silence?
A．Let it continue as the patient pleases.
B．Break it while treating patients.
C．Evaluate its harm to patients.
D．Make use of its healing effects.
210．What may be the best title for the text?
A．Sound and Silence
B．What It Means to Be Silent
C．Silence to Native Americans
D．Speech Is Silver; Silence Is Gold
207．C
208．A
209．D
210．B
【分析】
本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍了沉默在不同文化背景下的不同内涵。
207．细节理解题。根据第一段The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups. A silence in a conversation may also show stubbornness, uneasiness, or worry. 可知，沉默的含义因文化群体而异，交谈中的沉默也可能表示固执、不安或担忧。所以作者认为谈话中的沉默是有文化特性的。故选C项。
208．细节理解题。根据第二段中Many Native Americans value silence and feel it is a basic part of communicating among people, just as some traditional Chinese and Thai persons do. Therefore, when a person from one of these cultures is speaking and suddenly stops, what may be implied(暗示) is that the person wants the listener to consider what has been said before continuing可知，许多印第安人珍视沉默，认为这是人与人之间交流的基本组成部分，就像一些传统的中国人和泰国人一样。因此，当一个来自其中一种文化的人说话时突然停下来，暗示说话者想要倾听者在继续之前思考一下所说过的话。所以中国人认为谈话时人们沉默是为了让别人思考。故选A项。
209．细节理解题。根据末段末句A nurse who understands the healing value of silence can use this understanding to assist in the care of patients 可知，了解沉默的治疗价值的护士可以利用这种了解来帮助护理病人。所以作者建议护士要用沉默来治疗病人。故选D 。
210．主旨大意题。根据第一段“The meaning of silence varies among cultural groups”可知， 沉默的含义因文化群体而异。以及先问介绍了在不同文化背景下谈话期间的沉默的不同含义。所以短文的最佳标题是“沉默意味着什么”。故选B 。