Idioms are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say. Even if you know the meaning of each word you see or hear, you may not understand the idiom because you don't understand the culture behind it.
For example, if an American boy asks his mother 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 by ear" used to mean playing music using the sheet music, but now people often use it when they're not talking about music.
There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful. English idioms are more common in spoken English. They can be difficult to remember sometimes. Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, "Give me a hand", you don't necessarily stretch out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful. And when the situation is out of hand, you usually can do very little to manage all that. What about a green hand? It's not about the color of your hand! You're a green hand when you are very new at your work and don't have much experience. If you and your partner always work together hand in glove, you two definitely work together very well.
Can you guess the meanings of some common English idioms to do with parts of your body?

1. 1.

   An idiom is _______.

   1. A.
      a phrase or a sentence that means exactly what the words say
   2. B.
      a phrase or a sentence that doesn't mean exactly what every word says
   3. C.
      so difficult that nobody can understand
   4. D.
      something to do with parts of your body
2. 2.

   If a mother says "I'll play it by ear" to talk about the dinner, she means _______.

   1. A.
      she will cook dinner while listening to music at the same time
   2. B.
      she doesn't hear what others are talking about.
   3. C.
      she will play music using the sheet music instead of cooking dinner
   4. D.
      She doesn't have plans for dinner and will decide later
3. 3.

   When one says "Can you give me a hand?", he means _______.

   1. A.
      he needs to hold your hand.
   2. B.
      he works well with you
   3. C.
      he needs your help
   4. D.
      he is a new comer and can't help with the situation
4. 4.

   Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

   1. A.
      People use English idioms more in spoken English than in written English.
   2. B.
      To understand the culture behind an idiom is important in understanding the idiom.
   3. C.
      Idioms make your English more vivid and colorful so they are easy to remember.
   4. D.
      You may not understand an idiom even though you know the meaning of each word.
5. 5.

   Here are 4 common English idioms to do with parts of your body and their meanings. Can you match them?
   1) to learn something by heart a. to depend on oneself
   2) to have sticky fingers b. to know something very well
   3) to stand on one's own feet c. to do something secretly
   4) to go behind someone's back d. to have the habit of stealing

   1. A.
      badc
   2. B.
      bdac
   3. C.
      cbad
   4. D.
      cdba

Idioms are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say. Even if you know the meaning of each word you see or hear, you may not understand the idiom because you don't understand the culture behind it.
　　 For example, if an American boy asks his mother 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 by ear" used to mean playing music using the sheet music, but now people often use it when they're not talking about music.
　　 There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful. English idioms are more common in spoken English. They can be difficult to remember sometimes. Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, "Give me a hand", you don't necessarily stretch out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful. And when the situation is out of hand, you usually can do very little to manage all that. What about a green hand? It's not about the color of your hand! You're a green hand when you are very new at your work and don't have much experience. If you and your partner always work together hand in glove, you two definitely work together very well.
　　 Can you guess the meanings of some common English idioms to do with parts of your body?
【小題1】An idiom is _______.

做題時，先將答案劃在試卷上。錄音內容結束后，你將有兩分鐘的時間將試卷上的答案轉涂到答題卡上，

第一節（共5小題;每小題1.5分，滿分7.5分）

聽下面5段對話。每段對話后有一個小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個選項中選出最

佳選項，并標在試卷的相應位置。聽完每段對話后，你都有10秒鐘的時間來回答有關小題和閱讀下一小題。每段對話僅讀一遍。

1.What will the woman do?

A. Stay indoors             B. Have a walk              C. Get a coat

2.What will the speakers order?

A. Coke and orange juice.

B. Orange juice and coffee.

C. Coffee and Coke.

3.How did the woman know about the fire?

A. She read about it.           B. She witnessed it.            C. She saw it on TV.

4.What is the man worried about?

A. The match may be delayed.

B. Their car may go out of control.

C. They may arrive late for the game.

5.What does the man mean?

A. He had a terrible vacation.

B. He remained at home all the time.

C. The woman asked a silly question.

第二節（共15小題；每小題1.5分。滿分22.5分）

聽下面5段對話或獨白，每段對話或獨白后有幾個小題，從題中所給的A、B、C三個選項中選出最佳選項。并標在試卷的相應位置。聽每段材料前，你將有時間閱讀各個小題，每小題5秒鐘；聽完后，各小題將給出5秒鐘的作答時間。每段對話讀兩遍。

聽第6段材料，回答第6、7題。

6.What does the man ask the woman to do?

A. To work for her former employer.

B. To recommend a customer.

C. To join his company.

7.What is the woman doing?

A. Working for a company.  B. Running a business.      C. Hunting for a job.

聽第7段材料，回答第8、9題。

8.Why did the woman give up her dream to be a gym teacher?

A. She didn't have the equipment.

B. She couldn't afford the expense.

C. She found the training too hard.

9.How does the woman feel about her job?

A. Satisfied.                   B. Regretful.               C. Disappointed.

聽第8段材料，回答第10至12題。

10.What does the woman say about the science book?

A. It's of little value.            B. It's in bad condition.  C. It's an old edition.

11.How much will the woman pay the man?

A. $30.                     B. $23.                 C.$21.

12.Why is the woman unwilling to buy more textbooks?

A. She isn't sure what textbooks will be used.

B. She hasn't enough money to buy more.

C. She doesn't like books marked with notes.

聽第9段材料，回答第13至16題。

13.Where is the man?

A. At home.                 B. At the office.               C. At a travel agency.

14.What are the speakers going to do?

A. To travel abroad.            B. To go to the theatre.   C. To meet their friends.

15.When will the speakers meet?

A.At3:15pm.                 B. At 7:00 pm.              C.At6:15pm.

16.What do we know about the man?

A. He is sensitive.             B. He is humorous.          C. He is dishonest.

聽第10段材料，回答第17至20題。

17.What is the first news headline about?

A. Street violence.       B. Personal safety.           C. Students' health.

18.Why did some parents gather at schools in Glasgow?

A. To prevent the close-down of the schools.

B. To call for better primary education.

C. To participate in school activities.

19.What are the litter pickers doing?

A. Collecting private rubbish.

B. Having a one-day break.

C. Cleaning themselves up.

20.Which teams will play in the European Cup final?

A. AC Milan and Barcelona.      B. Barcelona and Liverpool.     C. Liverpool and AC Milan.

Pride and Prejudice for the Modern Woman
Let us imagine how Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's most famous work, might be updated, 200 years on.
Austen's popularity is rooted in her intelligence. But today she would certainly have had a very different life, as would her characters. Here's my own suggestion. . .
It is a truth finally and universally acknowledged that a single woman with brains deserves to have equal opportunities to men, however disadvantaged she may feel by sexism.
" My dear husband," said his hopeful wife one day, " have you heard that the local store, standing empty for so long, is taken over by a bright young businesswoman?"
Her dull and indifferent (漠不關心的) husband replied that he had not. "But it is, it is," she replied excitedly. Mr Dull-Husband made no reply.
"Don't you want to know her plans?" she cried with some impatience.
"Well, clearly you think it matters to your silly little head. .. so I'd better listen. "
"Well, my dear, the rumour (傳言) is that she has already set up a string of successful businesses in northern England, though how a woman can know anything about that is beyond me. She will move in herself next month. " "What is her name?" "Bingley. "
"Is she married or single?"
"What a question! And none of your business. But her coming will be a fine thing for our five boys. " "How so? How can it possibly affect them? "
"My dear love; those lazy boys need something to wake them up. There are bound to be jobs going. "
" Is that her point in settling here? Surely as a woman she has simply taken a fancy to the place. "
" Nonsense, my love, how little you've noticed the world has changed. She's got a first-rate degree and some sort of business qualification, I'm told. She surely needs one of our boys! Perhaps you might give her a call. "
" Me? No. Perhaps you can take an interest. You still have your looks, after all. She may even offer you a job. " "Oh, that's not likely. These new chances belong to the younger generation. But now you mention it, I think I'll go along all the same. "
And Mrs Bennet went along. That was 10 years ago. She is now managing director of a FTSE-listed company.
... It would remain the case, of course, that Mrs Bennet would be one of very few women on the company board, that her salary would be lower than her male colleagues, her bonus of a more "female" dimension and her lifespan (年限) among the city's business leaders shorter than theirs. Still, she'd no doubt have enjoyed Davos—and might even have hobnobbed (攀談) with influential figures.
【小題1】Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?