A metaphor is a poetic device that deals with comparison. It compares similar qualities of two dissimilar objects. With a simple metaphor, one object becomes the other: Love is a rose. Although this does not sound like a particularly rich image, a metaphor can communicate so much about a particular image that poets use them more than any other type of figurative language. The reason for this is that poets compose their poetry to express what they are experiencing emotionally at that moment. Consequently, what the poet imagines love to be may or may not be our understanding of love. Therefore, the poet’s job is to enable us to experience it, to feel it the same way as the poet does.
Let’s analyze this remarkably simple metaphor concerning love and the rose to see what it offers. Because the poet uses a comparison with a rose, first we must examine the characteristics of that flower. A rose is impressive in its beauty, its petals（花瓣）are nicely soft, and its smell is pleasing. It’s possible to say that a rose is actually a feast to the senses of sight, touch, and smell. The rose’s appearance seems to border on perfection, each petal seemingly equal in form. Isn’t this the way one’s love should be？A loved one should be a delight to one’s senses and seem perfect.
However, there is another dimension added to the comparison by using a rose. Roses have thorns. The poet wants to convey the idea that roses can be tricky. So can love, the metaphor tells us. When one reaches out with absolute trust to touch the object of his or her affection, ouch, a thorn can cause great harm! “Be careful,” the metaphor warns, “Love is a feast to the senses, but it can overwhelm us, and it can also hurt us and cause acute suffering.” This is the poet’s understanding of love—an admonition (劝诫). What is the point？Just this: It took almost 14 sentences to clarify what a simple metaphor communicates in only four words! That is the artistry and the joy of the simple metaphor.
1.According to the passage, a metaphor is a ________.
A. description of two similar objects in a poetic way
B. literary device specially employed in poetry writing
C. contrast between two different things to create a vivid image
D. comparison between two different objects with similar features
2.As is meant by the author, thorns of a rose ________.
A. add a new element to the image of love
B. protect the rose from harm
C. symbolize reduced love
D. cause acute suffering
3.It can be inferred from the passage that a metaphor is _______.
A. difficult to understand B. rich in meaning
C. simple to use D. perfect in form
4.The main idea of this passage is that ________.
A. love is a rose in metaphor
B. a rose is a good image in poetry
C. a metaphor is a great poetic device
D. a poet should be careful to use a metaphor
Dear Teresa Silva,
The official of the university has reported to us that you are an English major who meets the high standards for membership in Sigma Tau Delta. As is known, Sigma Tau Delta was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. It is an international collegiate honor society for students of English. It presently has over 850 chapters in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Over 9,000 new members are admitted into the organization annually.
Sigma Tau Delta’s purpose is to promote literature and writing and to advance the study of the written word. Members gather annually in the spring at the international meeting to present papers and share experiences and ideas within the English subject. The Society offers tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, awards, as well as publication chances in its journals The Rectangle and The Sigma Tau Delta Review.
It is our pleasure if you can complete the application for Sigma Tau Delta membership. If you would like to be included in this spring’s induction (入会) ceremony, please complete the application form, and include amount to cover both local and international fees. Your completed form must be received by date to be considered for the upcoming induction ceremony.
We congratulate you on your outstanding academic record and hope you will join us as a Sigma Tau Delta member. If you want to get more information, please visit our website www.sigmataudelta.org, or give us a call. The phone number is 583-2864.
Sincerely,
Emily Lister
1.According to the passage, Sigma Tau Delta ______.
A. deals with language learning
B. opens its door to all the students of English
C. changes its members every year
D. mainly takes charge of scientific publications
2.At the annual meeting, members of Sigma Tau Delta have the chance to ______.
A. meet all the chapter leaders
B. receive tens of thousands of dollars
C. share experiences and views
D. choose a particular subject as a major
3.This passage is basically a letter of _____.
A. introduction B. congratulation C. thanks D. invitation
Education from My Father
My memories of my father are slim because he was so sick in the last years of his life. But there are 32 that I am often reminded of and which may have had some bearing on my love of 33 .
When I was small I was somewhat 34 of lightning and thunder. My father explained it. The explanation was in 35 that a child could understand but was basically correct. I gained a better 36 later, but I didn’t have to unlearn anything.
What he said was that there was electricity in the clouds 37 it traveled to the ground like a spark. When it traveled 38 the air it made the air so hot that it 39 . Then there was nothing where the air had been and the air all around rushed in to 40 the space. He clapped his hands together very loud, 41 to be the air rushing in, and said that makes the thunder. When I hear thunder, I can still hear that 42 .
He explained why if it was cloudy in the winter the night was warmer than if it was 43 . It was one of those nights when the sky was full of stars: no moon, no town lights. But there were more stars than you could 44 and they had color too. He said that if there were no clouds, we had no blankets and were 45 to the universe. Our warmth was going to 46 the whole universe. When there were clouds, they were like blankets and we were not exposed to the universe. I 47 feel on the edge of space on a very clear night.
I am sure there were many other lessons that I 48 but no longer remember. What I did 49 , in general, was that there were explanations and that the more I understood them, the more comfortable the world was to live in. I was not taught that there were 50 but that there was understanding if you looked for it. This may be why I have always been 51 in science.
1.A. others B. few C. some D. all
2.A. science B. nature C. weather D. universe
3.A. sure B. fond C. tired D. afraid
4.A. depth B. words C. gestures D. data
5.A. understanding B. knowledge C. command D. confidence
6.A. but B. and C. for D. or
7.A. above B. to C. along D. through
8.A. shone B. burned C. expanded D. broke
9.A. fill B. make C. avoid D. break
10.A. trying B. proving C. hoping D. pretending
11.A. clap B. remark C. voice D. crash
12.A. cold B. bright C. clear D. foggy
13.A. explore B. foresee C. imagine D. identify
14.A. committed B. exposed C. related D. led
15.A. heat B. protect C. extend D. light
16.A. ever B. also C. even D. still
17.A. selected B. arranged C. absorbed D. delivered
18.A. consider B. promise C. explain D. learn
19.A. memories B. blankets C. mysteries D. thunders
20.A. engaged B. interested C. successful D. skillful
—— We are organizing a party next Saturday, and I’d like you to come.
—— ________! I have another one that day. Thank you just the same.
A. Good luck B. Sounds fantastic C. Enough D. What a pity
I don’t ________ to be an expert on cars, but I do know that there is something wrong with your brakes.
A. abolish B. boycott C. claim D. appetite
In today’s class, Miss Hang is going to ________ the science fiction novel where she left off yesterday.
A. take up B. break up C. pick up D. spring up
