Body Language Gestures

Question 1

Open palm gestures, with palms facing upward or outward, typically signal:

Accepted Answer

Honesty, openness, and non-threatening intent

Answer

Open palm gestures are universally associated with honesty, openness, and transparency — they show that the hands are empty and the speaker has nothing to hide.

Question 2

The 'steeple' gesture — fingertips touching to form a church steeple shape — most commonly signals:

Accepted Answer

Confidence, authority, and careful deliberation

Answer

The steeple gesture, where fingertips press together forming a point, signals confidence, authority, and measured deliberation — often used by leaders and experts.

Question 3

When someone wrings their hands (rubbing palms together nervously) during a conversation, this indicates:

Accepted Answer

Anxiety, stress, or nervousness

Answer

Hand wringing is a self-soothing gesture that signals anxiety, stress, or nervousness — the physical motion helps calm the nervous system.

Question 4

Which hand gesture is often used to 'cut off' or dismiss what someone else is saying?

Accepted Answer

A chopping or karate-chop motion

Answer

A chopping or cutting hand gesture directed at a person or their argument is a dismissive gesture signaling disagreement, rejection, or a desire to end that line of thinking.

Question 5

Touching the back of one's own neck during a conversation typically signals:

Accepted Answer

Discomfort, doubt, or a need for self-soothing

Answer

The neck touch or neck rub is a classic pacifying behavior — stimulating the vagus nerve in the neck helps calm the nervous system during discomfort or stress.

Body Language Practice Test

Body Language Practice Test

Body Language Gestures