Do you know the following expressions?
Faustian bargain
According to most stories, Faust was a German scholar who was rather unhappy with his life．The devil（魔鬼）, Mephistopheles, promises him that in return for his soul．he will give Faust unlimited power and knowledge．Faust agrees and experiences all kinds of pleasures, but, in the end, his soul goes to the hell．A “Faustian bargain” therefore is a deal that finally results in one's ruin．It means a bargain made for temporary gain without taking future consequences into consideration．
A three-ring circus
When you refer to a situation as being a three-ring circus, you are saying that it is a situation of complete confusion．There are so many activities taking place all together that they leave you confused or annoyed．The expression comes from the world of entertainment—the circus．The area where the artists perform their acts is called the “ring”．In the past, some of the circuses were so large that they had three acts taking place meanwhile in three different “rings”．The audience had to decide which “ring” they wanted to focus on．
In the swim（of things）
When someone is in the swim of things, he is actively participating in the things happening around him, as in “I've been ill, but soon I'll be back in the swim of things.” In the world of fishing, fishermen use the word “swim” to refer to the section of the lake/river where fish can be found in plenty．So, if you are a fish man and wish to catch a lot of fish, where would you be? You would be “in the swim”!
1.If a person makes a Faustian bargain, _____．
A．he might come to a bad end
B．he would be considered clever
C．his life would become satisfying
D．he would gain power and knowledge
2.In the past, why did a circus perform different acts at the same time ?
A.It was the audience’s requirement.
B. The time was limited.
C. The circus was very big.
D. They wanted to earn more money.
3.What do we learn about the expression “in the swim（of things）”?
A．It means having a lot of things to do．
B．It has nothing to do with swimming．
C．Originally it was used to refer to "going fishing"．
D．Patients use it to express their desire for health.
4.What is the text mainly about?
A．The development of English phrases
B．Some old and interesting stories
C．Some phrases' meanings and origins
D．Some misunderstandings about words
Renata Di Pietro was studying to be an opera singer. But at 23, while on a music scholarship at the University of Iowa in 1976, her sight began to fail. Soon, it became increasingly difficult to read scores and pick up hand signals from conductors, and the gifted singer was forced to drop out.
After moving to Cleveland, Georgia in 2005, Di Pietro relied on guide dogs to get around. Over the years, she became depressed when she’d lose one of the dogs, who had become her best friend, to old age or death. “It’s very painful, because you love each one,” she says.
In 2009, Di Pietro was intrigued by information from a friend that miniature horses typically live for at least 30 years and make calm and strong guides. She started with a male horse, but he was too hard to control. Angel came next, a mini white female horse Di Pietro has mostly trained herself. “Horses have the ability to avoid the things in the way,” she says. “If I am about to run into something, she slides her body in front of me.”
Di Pietro, now 59, has taught her guide horse to make some sounds with her hoof (马蹄)when she comes to stairs. “Angel can find a chair and locate the nearest door for me,” Di Pietro says. Currently, she’s training Angel to pull her wheelchair and to fetch.
Despite her disability, Di Pietro still sings, performing with her husband, musician Carl Hummer, at special events. Angel is always by her side. “I fight a battle every day to take courage to engage the world,” Di Pietro says. “Angel is my warhorse. We fight that battle together.”
1.Why did Di Pietro have to give up her studying in the university?
A.She disliked her major in music.
B.She failed to get high scores.
C.She couldn’t understand hand signals from conductors.
D.She found it difficult to see things clearly.
2.What does the underlined word “intrigued” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Puzzled. B. Interested. C. Satisfied. D. Frightened.
3.Angel can do a lot of things for Di Pietro now EXCEPT_________.
A.supporting her in case of her falling
B. helping her find a chair to sit on
C. keeping her company every day
D. fighting with her against others
4.Which of the following can best describe the author?
A.Caring and strong-minded. B. Honest and responsible.
C. Kind and helpful. D. Ambitious and sensitive.
I have always been an independent person, but I have come to know that being independent does not mean refusing help. I may still be 16 with asking for help, but I try to accept. Furthermore, I will even 17 help and when my offers are refused, I am 18 willing to walk away. And all these changes came from a disaster on an island.
Sometimes a person’s independence is a 19 of pride, daring, stubbornness and luck. I used to be too 20 since I was little. I was once a traveler who never asked for 21 , choosing instead to struggle with maps and signs until I found my way.
Then one day on the island of Koh Phangan, in Thailand, everything 22 . I was swimming in the ocean with Sean, my fiancé, when he was 23 by a box jellyfish(箱型水母). He 24 within three minutes, 25 years old. Yet when onlookers and travelers asked if I wanted 25 , stubborn pride and force of habit 26 me accepting. But two young Israeli women stayed. 27 my protest(反对), they were with me even when the police tried to cover up the 28 of Sean’s death. It was listed as drunk drowning to avoid hurting the 29 industry. The Israeli women 30 have walked away. 31 , without even telling me, they 32 their schedule rather than leave me behind.
33 I didn’t realize it at that time, I would not have 34 the disaster without these great women. Actually, the person who needs help the most is usually the last person to ask for it. I have learned 35 is better than refusing because it not only helps you walk out of trouble, but also helps you know the real meaning of life.
1.A.struggling B.dealing C.confused D.satisfied
2.A.offer B.accept C.seek D.desire
3.A.occasionally B.frequently C.usually D.seldom
4.A.range B.symbol C.way D.mix
5.Aadventurous B.brave C.independent D.creative
6.A.money B.equipment C.directions D.suggestions
7.A.happened B.messed C.changed D.disappeared
8.A.attacked B.caught C.followed D.impressed
9.A.sunk B.died C.failed D.recovered
10.A.company B.advice C.comfort D.evidence
11.A.kept B.prevented C.denied D.suggested
12.A.In spite of B.In case of C.In terms of D.As a result
13.A.proof B.news C.fact D.cause
14.A.medicine B.entertainment C.fishing D.tourism
15.A.could B.need C.should D.must
16.A.Therefore B.Otherwise C.Instead D.Besides
17.A.delayed B.made C.considered D.threw
18.A.When B.While C.Because D.If
19.A.survived B.experienced C.avoided D.suffered
20.A.refusing B.accepting C.giving D.begging
--- Don’t bother to buy me an air ticket. I’ve got one.
--- ______ Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I’ve got one, too.
A.Good luck! B. You have?
C. It’s no surprise. D. Don’t mention it.
The parents can’t explain _______ makes their children so fascinated with their teacher’s lessons.
A.that what it is B. what it is that
C. what is it that D. that what is it
He is, how shall I _________, not exactly fat but rather well-built.
A.put it B. make it C. mean it D. get it
