The human nose has given to the languages of the world many interesting expressions. Of course, this is not surprising. Without the nose, we could not breather or smell. It is part of the face that gives a person special character. Cyranode Bergerac said that a large nose showed a great man----brave, polite, manly and intellectual.
Afamous women poet wished that she had two noses to smell a rose! Blaise Pascal, a French philosopher, made an interesting comment about the Cleopatra’s nose. If it had been shorter, he said, it would have changed the whole face of the world.
Historically, man’s nose had had a principalrole in his imagination. Man has referred to the nose in many ways to express his emotions. Expressions concerning the noserefer to human weakness: anger, pride, jealousyand revenge.
In English there are a number of phrases about the nose. For example, to hold up one’s nose expresses a basic human feeling----pride. People can hold up their noses at people, things and places.
The phrase, to be led around by the nose, shows man’s weakness. Aperson who is led around by the nose lets other people control him. On the other hand, a person who follows his nose lets his instinct guide him.
For the human emotion of rejection, the phrase, to have one’s nose put out of joint, is very descriptive. The expression applies to persons who have been turned aside because of a competitor. Their pride is hurt and they feel rejected. This expression is not new. It was used by Erassmus in 1542.
This is only a sample of expressions in English dealing withthe nose. There are a number of others. however, it should be as plain as the nose on the face that the nose is more than an organ for breathing and smelling!
1.Which of the following is TRUE?
A. A person who holds up his nose is easier to get angry.
B. A person who is proud of himself is to hold up his nose.
C. A person who is satisfied with himself always follows others.
D. A person who hopes to have two noses is strong-minded.
2.What does the underlined phrase “to be led around by the nose”mean?
A. To be followed by somebody.
B. To be controlled by somebody.
C. To be under your nose.
D. To pay through the nose.
3.How does a person who has his nose put out of joint feel?
A. Worried. B. Pleased. C. Proud and happy. D. Hurt and unaccepted.
4.What do you know from the last sentence of this passage?
A. It is hard to know that the nose is not only for smelling.
B. The nose is really just an organ for breathing and smelling.
C. It’s clear that a nose’s function is more than breathing and smelling.
D. Itis not important that a nose has other functions except these two.
This is BBC special English program. Today we are going to introduce a money saved product to you.
A British company has made a new product to help us save money. The product is a wristband that gives us an electric shock if we spend too much money. The wristband is called Pavlok. It is linked to our bank account. It knows how much money we have in the bank. If we go shopping and there is not enough money in our bank account, the wristband makes an electric shock to our wrist. This warns us not to overspend. The company is called Intelligent Environment. It wants to work with banks to help customers with their money. So far, no banks in Britain have said they would ask their customers to wear Pavlok. They could start doing this in the future.
The Pavlok wristband is part of the Internet of Things. This is the idea that everything in our life will be connected to the Internet. The CEO of Intelligent Environment, David Webber, said people liked the idea of the Pavlok. Shoppers would rather get a small electric shock in the store from the wristband than get a big shock later when they see their bank account. Mr Webber said the Pavlok would greatlybenefit the people who cannot stop spending because they have no power or their power is weak. He added that many young people have the “ostrich effect”. This is when people put their heads in the sand and buy things rather than look at how much money they have in their bank.
1.The company made the product to help itself___________
A. make money B. save money C. offer help D. benefit customers
2.Mr. Webber thinks the wristband is _________
A. helpless B. great C. a big surprise D. cheap
3.You can read this passage in a ___________
A. health magazine B. medical journal C. science magazine D. travel guide
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Who usually leads the introductions?
A. Matt. B. Steven. C. Karen.
2.Where can you find tennis equipment?
A. Near the bathrooms. B. At the center of the store. C. Just to the right of the speaker.
3.What is Andrew’s main responsibility?
A. Doing the accounts.
B. Using the computers to list products.
C. Keeping the area neat and organized.
4.What will Laura do next?
A. Help fill out a form. B. Pay for goods. C. Do some sports.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman compare the toy to?
A. A medicine. B. A ball. C. A hand.
2.What age group is the toy popular with?
A. Children. B. Teenagers. C. All age groups.
3.Why do some teachers dislike the toy?
A. It leads to theft. B. It causes arguments in class. C. It makes students lose focus.
4.Who is the actual inventor of the toy?
A. An academic researcher. B. An IT professional. C. A chemical engineer.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where are the speakers?
A. In the police station. B. On the road. C. At the insurance company.
2.What did the man first suggest they do?
A. Talk to the people behind them.
B. Pull over to the side of the road.
C. Get their cars fixed together.
3.How do the speakers deal with the situation in the end?
A. They call the police.
B. They go through their insurance.
C. They settle it between themselves.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How did the man respond to the woman’s first complaint?
A. He ignored her. B. He argued with her. C. He apologized to her.
2.What’s the relationship between the speakers?
A. Husband and wife. B. Host and cleaner. C. Store owner and customer.
