Reading Facial Expressions Quiz

1. If a speaker is leaning forward, making steady eye contact, and nodding, what emotion are they likely showing?

Boredom

Fear

Interest or Engagement

Discomfort

Leaning forward and maintaining eye contact are classic non-verbal signals of interest and engagement.

Explanation

Leaning forward and maintaining eye contact are classic non-verbal signals of interest and engagement.

2. Question: A person who is avoiding eye contact and fidgeting with their hands is most likely experiencing anxiety or _______.

Avoiding eye contact and fidgeting are common signs of nervousness or discomfort.

Explanation

Avoiding eye contact and fidgeting are common signs of nervousness or discomfort.

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3. A genuine smile, or a Duchenne smile, includes crinkles around the eyes.

True

False

This is true. Authentic joy (a Duchenne smile) involves both the mouth and the muscles around the eyes.

Explanation

This is true. Authentic joy (a Duchenne smile) involves both the mouth and the muscles around the eyes.

4. If a person's eyebrows are pulled down and together, and their lips are tightly pressed, what emotion are they likely expressing?

Surprise

Confusion

Anger or Frustration

Sadness

Eyebrows lowered/drawn together and tight lips are key indicators of anger or frustration.

Explanation

Eyebrows lowered/drawn together and tight lips are key indicators of anger or frustration.

5. Which non-verbal cues typically indicate openness and confidence? (Select all that apply)

Shoulders hunched

Arms uncrossed and held loosely

Leaning back slightly

Maintaining an upright posture

Uncrossed arms and upright posture are signals that the speaker is open and not defensive.

Explanation

Uncrossed arms and upright posture are signals that the speaker is open and not defensive.

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6. Question: If a listener is sitting very still, has a blank facial expression, and is occasionally yawning, they are likely expressing _______.

Lack of movement, blank expression, and yawning are classic non-verbal signals of boredom or disinterest.

Explanation

Lack of movement, blank expression, and yawning are classic non-verbal signals of boredom or disinterest.

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7. What emotion is the speaker likely feeling if they have very wide-open eyes, an open mouth, and a backward jerk of the head?

Disgust

Surprise

Concentration

Amusement

Wide eyes, an open mouth, and a sudden movement away from the stimulus are typical signs of surprise.

Explanation

Wide eyes, an open mouth, and a sudden movement away from the stimulus are typical signs of surprise.

8. Standing with arms crossed over the chest always indicates a person is cold.

True

False

This is false. While it can mean coldness, in communication, crossed arms usually indicate defensiveness or resistance to an idea.

Explanation

This is false. While it can mean coldness, in communication, crossed arms usually indicate defensiveness or resistance to an idea.

9. If a person is holding their hands over their mouth or lightly touching their nose while speaking, they might be conveying:

Excitement

Lying or Deception

Confusion

Sickness

These gestures, often called manipulators, can be subconscious indicators of deception or holding back information.

Explanation

These gestures, often called manipulators, can be subconscious indicators of deception or holding back information.

10. Which emotional states are often communicated by a furrowed brow (eyebrows pushed together)? (Select all that apply)

Deep concentration

Fear

Confusion

Contentment

A furrowed brow signals mental effort, suggesting concentration or confusion (trying to figure something out).

Explanation

A furrowed brow signals mental effort, suggesting concentration or confusion (trying to figure something out).

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11. Question: When a person rolls their eyes while listening to someone speak, they are expressing sarcasm, contempt, or _______.

Eye-rolling is a highly visible non-verbal cue that signals disrespect or contempt.

Explanation

Eye-rolling is a highly visible non-verbal cue that signals disrespect or contempt.

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12. If someone is continually glancing at the clock or tapping their foot quickly, they are likely feeling:

Fear

Impatience or Rush

Satisfaction

Sorrow

Tapping a foot or glancing at a clock are physical manifestations of impatience or the feeling of being rushed.

Explanation

Tapping a foot or glancing at a clock are physical manifestations of impatience or the feeling of being rushed.

13. When a person smiles genuinely, the smile reaches their eyes, causing a particular kind of crow's feet or crinkle.

True

False

This is true. This is the physiological marker of a true, or Duchenne, smile.

Explanation

This is true. This is the physiological marker of a true, or Duchenne, smile.

14. A speaker who dramatically increases the volume of their voice, uses chopping hand gestures, and points a finger is likely expressing:

Humility

Aggression or Dominance

Shyness

Sadness

Loud voice, forceful hand gestures, and pointing are signals used to project aggression or dominance.

Explanation

Loud voice, forceful hand gestures, and pointing are signals used to project aggression or dominance.

15. Which body language cues are often associated with sadness or grief? (Select all that apply)

Downcast eyes

Rapid speech

Slumped shoulders

Walking quickly

Downcast eyes and slumped shoulders are physical signals of low energy and sadness.

Explanation

Downcast eyes and slumped shoulders are physical signals of low energy and sadness.

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16. Question: When a person holds their body very rigid and pulls their shoulders high toward their ears, they are often signaling a state of extreme tension or _______.

Extreme tension and high shoulders are physical indicators of stress or anxiety.

Explanation

Extreme tension and high shoulders are physical indicators of stress or anxiety.

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17. A person who quickly pulls their head and chin back, widening their eyes slightly, is signaling:

Admiration

Disbelief or Skepticism

Contentment

Acceptance

Pulling the head back, sometimes paired with a slight frown, is a common reaction to signal disbelief or skepticism.

Explanation

Pulling the head back, sometimes paired with a slight frown, is a common reaction to signal disbelief or skepticism.

18. When a speaker is mirroring the posture and gestures of a listener, they are likely signaling agreement and rapport.

True

False

This is true. Mirroring is a subconscious sign of establishing connection, agreement, and rapport.

Explanation

This is true. Mirroring is a subconscious sign of establishing connection, agreement, and rapport.

19. Which emotion is a person most likely trying to hide if they cover their eyes with their hand after receiving bad news?

Anger

Shame or Embarrassment

Relief

Excitement

Covering the eyes is a common reaction when a person feels a strong, negative emotion like shame or embarrassment that they wish to hide from others' view.

Explanation

Covering the eyes is a common reaction when a person feels a strong, negative emotion like shame or embarrassment that they wish to hide from others' view.

20. Which behaviors signal that a speaker is finished talking and expects a response? (Select all that apply)

A drop in pitch and slowing of speech

Speaking louder and faster

Prolonged eye contact with the listener

Turning their body away from the listener

Dropping the pitch and pace (terminal juncture) and making prolonged eye contact are non-verbal cues signaling the end of a speaking turn.

Explanation

Dropping the pitch and pace (terminal juncture) and making prolonged eye contact are non-verbal cues signaling the end of a speaking turn.

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Nonverbal Clues: Reading Emotions Through Facial Expressions and Body Language Quiz