Question

The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with someone who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.

Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.

Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality(现实). He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.

The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day－dreamer.

When we have both our feet on the ground, and when we are down to earth, we do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us— solid(牢固的) and strong.

1.A down-to-earth person could be_____________.

A. social and proud     B. good and opposite

C. real and important     D. strong and changeable

2.The expression “has one’s nose in the air” means_____________.

A. 眉飞色舞    B. 目中无人     C. 瞻前顾后  D. 春风得意

3.This passage mainly talks about_____________.

A. the use of some expressions

B. dreams and achievements

C. the lifestyle of honest people

D. honesty and understanding

4.If you want to understand what is real in life, you have to_____________.

A. get along with other people easily

B. have your nose in the air

C. be a good dreamer with quick mind

D. have both your feet on the ground

5.If you only consider your own importance, __________.

A. you will be better than others

B. your life will be like the solid and strong ground

C. you’ll be hated by down-to-earth people

D. your life will be filled with love

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.D

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：这篇短文主要讨论了英语中两个习惯用语的含义，并就此告诉我们一些生活的道理。

1.C细节理解题。根据Down-to-earth people could be important members of society.及上下文描述，可知一个很现实的人，可能是一个注重实际的人和重要的人，故选C。

2.B词意猜测题。根据Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life.及下文描述，可知此处指的是此类人，故选B。

3.A主旨大意题。这篇短文主要讨论了英语中“down to earth” 和“ have his nose in the air”的用法，故选A。

4.D细节理解题。根据Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality（现实）. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.描述，可知选D。

5.C细节理解题。根据Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.描述可知，一个只以为自己重要，目中无人的人，脚踏实地的人会讨厌这样的人。答案为C。

考点：文化类短文阅读。