Question

The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with some one 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. 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 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．扬眉吐气         B．目中无人          C．瞻前顾后         D．装模作样

3.If you only consider your own importance, _____.

A．you’ll think you are 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.

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

A．get along with other people easily

B．learn from those who are down to earth

C．be a good dreamer with quick mind

D．have your head in the clouds.

5.This passage mainly talks about ______.

A．the use of some expressions

B．dreams and achievements

C．the lifestyle of honest people

D．honest and understanding

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.B

5.A

【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.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.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，可知指的是此类人目中无人，故选B。

3.根据But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.描述可知选A。

4.根据短文最后一段描述，如果我们想要明白真实的生活，我们就必须像那些现实的人学习。故选B。

5.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。

考点：关于英语惯用语的说明文