Question

【题目】 An idiom (习语）is a phrase that we can’ t understand from the meaning of each word. For example, if an American boy asks his mum 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 it by ear” used to mean playing music without using the sheet music (活页乐谱），but now it’s different.

There are many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be much more colorful.

Have you ever heard the idiom “He bought the farm”? It means “He died Do you know how it became popular? It was first used in World War I. When a soldier died, the government gave his family enough money to buy a farm.

In the early 1930s, people in the US often did not know when or where their next meal was. So as soon as they got something in their hand that could be eaten, it would go into their mouth. That was how people began to use the idiom “live hand to mouth”.

And don’t be angry if your English friend says this to you, “Break a leg in your game!”

He is wishing you good luck! Hundreds of years ago, people believed in sprites (小精灵).Sprites enjoyed causing trouble. If the sprites heard you ask for something, they would make the opposite happen. Tell someone to “break a leg” and the sprites would make something good happen.

【1】According to the writer, idioms make English .

A.much easierB.more difficult

C.less interestingD.more colorful

【2】“I’ll play it by ear” can answer the question “ ”

A.What do you think of the concert

B.How will you play music tomorrow

C.What will you do if it rains tomorrow

D.What’s your favorite piece of music

【3】When one lives hand to mouth, he or she is .

A.in needB.in troubleC.in dangerD.in peace

【4】When we hear “Break a leg”，we should say “ ”

A.How can you say thatB.Thank you

C.I’m sorry to hear thatD.Please watch your mouth

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【3】A

【4】B

【解析】

本文讲述了习语在英语中的应用。

【1】细节理解题。根据第三段中“If you learn to use them, your English will be much more colorful．如果你学会使用它们，你的英语将会更加丰富多彩。”，可知习语使英语变得更加丰富多彩，故选D。

【2】推测理解题。根据第一段“For example，if an American boy asks his mum 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．例如，如果一个美国男孩问他妈妈明天晚餐吃什么，她可能会说："I'll play it by ear．"这意味着她没有晚餐计划，她会随后再决定。”，可知“I'll play it by ear.”意为“现在还没有计划，稍后再做决定做什么”，所以选项中当别人问“What will you do if it rains tomorrow如果明天下雨你会怎么办?”这句话的时候，可以用“I'll play it by ear”来回答，故选C。

【3】推测理解题。根据“people in the US often did not know when or where their next meal was. So as soon as they got something in their hand that could be eaten, it would go into their mouth. That was how people began to use the idiom "live hand to mouth"．在美国，人们常常不知道下一顿饭在何时何地．所以只要他们手里拿着可以吃的东西，它就会进入他们的嘴里．这就是人们开始使用"live hand to mouth"这个习语的原因。”，可知“live hand to mouth”意为“生活艰辛，陷入困境中”，所以说某人“live hand to mouth”时，表示他需要帮助，故选A。

【4】推测理解题。根据文中“And don't be angry if your English friend says this to you, "Break a leg in your game!" He is wishing you good luck! 如果你的英国朋友对你说"Break a leg in your game"，不要生气．他是在祝你好运!”,可知当我们听到这句话的时候，应该对别人说谢谢，故选B。