Question

Idioms(成语) are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say. Even if you know the meaning of each word you see or hear, you may not understand the idiom because you don't understand the culture behind it.

For example, if an American boy asks his mother what's for dinner tomorrow, she may say “I'll play it by ear”, that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will decide later. “Play by ear” used to mean playing music using the sheet music(活页乐谱), but now people often use it when they're not talking about music.

There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful. English idioms are more common in spoken English. They can be difficult to remember sometimes. Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, “Give me a hand”, you don't necessarily reach out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful. And when the situation is out of hand, you usually can do very little to manage all that. What about a green hand? It's not about the color of your hand! You're a green hand when you are very new at your work and don't have much experience. If you and your partner always work together hand in glove, you two certainly work together very well.

Can you guess the meanings of some common English idioms to do with parts of your body?

1.An idiom is _______.

A. a phrase or a sentence that means exactly what the words say

B. a phrase or a sentence that doesn't mean exactly what every word says

C. so difficult that nobody can understand

D. something to do with parts of your body

2.If a mother says “I’ll play it by ear” to talk about the dinner, she means _______.

A. she will cook dinner while listening to music at the same time

B. she doesn't hear what others are talking about.

C. she will play music using the sheet music instead of cooking dinner

D. She doesn't have plans for dinner and will decide later

3.When one says “Can you give me a hand?”, he means _______.

A. he needs to hold your hand.

B. he works well with you

C. he needs your help

D. he is a new comer and can't help with the situation

4.What does the word “vivid” mean?

A. 生动的       B. 恰当的      C. 独特的       D. 有意义的

5.Here are four common English idioms to do with parts of your body and their meanings.

Can you match them?

1) to learn something by heart          a. to depend on oneself

2) to have sticky fingers               b. to know something very well

3) to stand on one's own feet           c. to do something secretly

4) to go behind someone's back          d. to have the habit of stealing

A. 1-b; 2-a; 3-d; 4-c   B. 1-b; 2-d; 3-a; 4-c

C. 1-c; 2-b; 3-a; 4-d   D.1-c; 2-d; 3-b; 4-a

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.C

4.A

5.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章讲述了习语（idiom）的特点和重要性，并举例说明了一些习语的含义和使用场合。

1.B考查细节理解题。根据根据第一段第一行Idioms(成语) are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say.可知选B。

2.D考查细节理解题。根据第二段第一句For example, if an American boy asks his mother what's for dinner tomorrow, "I'll play it by ear", that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will decide later.”可知选D。

3.C考查细节理解题。根据第三段第五句（第二行第二句）Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, "Give me a hand", you don't necessarily stretch out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful.”可知C。

4.A考查细节理解和推理题。第三段一二句There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful.（句意：在英语中有许多成语。如果你学会使用它们，你的英语将更生动和丰富多彩。）学会使用成语，会怎么样呢？我们能推理出vivid的意思是生动的，栩栩如生。故选A。

5.

考点：考查文化类短文阅读。