Cats and dogs are the most popular pets in America. So it is not surprising that we can find different sentences (句子)about cats in a language book when we learn English.

Unlike dogs, it is difficult to teach cats to do something. Cats are not like sheep or cows that can be moved in a group. So we say a difficult or impossible job is like “herding(放牧) cats”.

Everybody knows cats and mice are “good friends”. Sometimes, a cat likes to play with a small animal it catches, such as a mouse. So if your daughter offers something sweet to her little brother and then takes it away when he reaches for it, you can use "play cat and mouse". What will children do in a classroom when their teacher leaves for a few minutes? They are sure to make as much noise as possible."When the cat's away, the mice will play" has the same meaning.

There are a lot more sayings about cats. Americans might say "the cat's miaow" to describe(描述) something that is the best or finest. “A fat car" means a person with lo of money. If you tell about something secret(秘密), we say you “let the cat out of the bag”. If you are not able to speak or answer a question, someone might think 'the cat has got your tongue(舌头)". Also, you may often hear the sentence “Curiosity(好奇) killed the cat.” That means caring too much about things that are not your business(与你无关之事) might lead to serious problems.

1.What may you say if you want someone to keep the secret for you?

A. Curiosity killed the cat. B. Has the cat got your tongue.

C. Don’t let the cat out of the bag. D. Let’s play cat and mouse.

2.Which of the following can we use “Curiosity killed the cat” to describe?

A. Someone always asked a lady her age or weight and it made her angry.

B. Someone made a big noise as soon as the teacher left the classroom.

C. Someone won the first in the final test and he felt very excited.

D. Someone got the newest iPhone as a present from his parents.

3.What can we learn from the article?

A. We can use “A fat cat” to describe a fat man or a person who eats too much.

B. There are more sentences about cats than those about dogs.

C. It’s more difficult to keep sheep or cows than cats.

D. “Play cat and mouse” usually means “play tricks on sb”.

4.Where can you find the article?

A. In a science report about cats.

B. On a website telling people how to keep cats.

C. In a magazine telling different jokes and funny stories.

D. In a language book that teaches students how to use saying about cats.

Learners of English, especially self-taught learners may have trouble in understanding speeches by native speakers. The following ways might help improve their listening ability.

First of all, do things step by step. It is not good to listen to something beyond your level. Better choose a suitable course and start with the first book. Go on to the second book only after you are sure you understand the first one.

Secondly, stick to one course of study. Don’t change books often. Never let your attention be attracted by another course just because it seems to be more “fashionable”.

Thirdly, listen to the English news program over the radio from time to time. Better go through the news stories in the Chinese-language newspaper first. That will make it easy for you to understand the English news on the radio.

Fourthly, if you have time, listen to some interesting stories in “Special English from the V. O. A. or ther listening materials of the same level as that of your textbook”.

1.This is a piece of advice to learners of English on how to ________.

A. improve their listening ability B. read fast

C. write better English and read faster D. speak correctly

2.If you want to understand the English news program on the radio, you should ________.

A. read the Chinese-language newspaper step by step

B. read again and again the Chinese -language newspaper

C. go through the Chinese-language newspaper first

D. be able to recite the Chinese-language newspaper

3.The author advised that once you have taken up a course, you ________.

A. should stick to it

B. should begin with the last book

C. should take up other courses if they are more fashionable

D. shouldn’t do anything else

4.1n this passage, V. O.

A. stands for ________.

A. a book

B. a magazine

C. a text-book

D. a radio station

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