Question

He _________ desperately in vain for something to say to break the silence.

1. A.
   thought about
2. B.
   cast about
3. C.
   talked about
4. D.
   set about

Answer 1

B
试题分析：选项A“想到”； 选项B“想法设法”； 选项C“谈论”； 选项D“着手，开始做”。 cast about for sth“试图找到某物” 。句意：他拼命地想找到某些话题来打破沉默。
考点：考查固定短语的意义
点评：固定短语是近几年高考热点，尤其是动词短语，需要考生平时多积累。
即学即练：He _________learning Chinese at age ten.
A. thought about        B. cast about           C. talked about D. set about
解析：D set about + doing句意：他在十岁时开始学中文。