Question

A euphemism (from the Greek words eu—well and pheme—speak) is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics like death or the bodily functions. Most people, for example, would find it very difficult to say in plain language that they have arranged for their sick old dog to be killed. They would soften the pain by saying "We had Ruby put down" or "We had Ruby put to sleep". Many people prefer to call someone plain than ugly, or cuddly rather than fat.

Euphemisms are an important part of every language, but it seems that English has an ever-growing number of them. The non-native speaker not only has to make sense of the euphemisms he hears, but he also has to learn which euphemisms are appropriate in any particular situation. He might be aware that his American friend needs to use the toilet when she asks where the bathroom (or restroom, or comfort station) is, but he is less likely to guess that his English friend has the same need when he says he has to see a man about a dog. He might have learned, for example, that "in the family way" is a euphemism for pregnant. If, however, he says to his boss, "Congratulations! I hear your wife is in the family way", he would be using an expression that is too familiar for the circumstances.

Schools are full of euphemisms. At Frankfurt International School, for example, the special lessons given to students who are having difficulties in their school subjects are called Study Center (in the middle school) and Academic Workshop (in the high school). Teachers rightly do not want to upset students or parents by being too frank or straight-forward, and usually choose a softer word or expression to convey the same message.

1.According to the passage, people use euphemisms in order to ________ .

A. make themselves understood

B. attract attention

C. avoid embarrassment

D. sound straightforward

2.A person who is described as plain and cuddly is in fact ________.

A. tall and handsome

B. ugly and fat

C. ugly but tall

D. pretty and slim

3.When an English lady says she has to see a man about a dog, she might want to ______.

A. go to the toilet

B. see a doctor about her dog

C. have her old dog killed

D. see a pregnant woman

4.The main purpose of Paragraph 2 is to ________ .

A. stress that euphemisms are an important part of every language

B. suggest non-native speakers use euphemisms as often as possible

C. inform readers that English has an ever-growing number of euphemisms

D. warn English learners to be careful about the meaning and use of euphemisms

5.At Frankfurt International School, the students who receive lessons in Study Center ____.

A. work hard at their lessons

B. do well in school

C. have poor grades in the subjects

D. prefer to learn more

Answer 1

1.C

2.B

3.A

4.D

5.C

【解析】

試題分析：本文主要講述英語中委婉語的使用.

1. euphemism (from the Greek words eu—well and pheme—speak) is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics like death or the bodily functions這個單詞是當人們想要找到一種禮貌的，不那么直接的談論艱難的或尷尬的話題使用的，可知這個單詞是為避免尷尬，故選C

2. people prefer to call someone plain than ugly, or cuddly rather than fat. plain 和 cuddly是指ugly 和 fat故選B

3. might be aware that his American friend needs to use the toilet when she asks where the bathroom (or restroom, or comfort station) is, but he is less likely to guess that his English friend has the same need when he says he has to see a man about a dog可知英國朋友說他因一條狗去見一個人是要上洗手間的意思，故選A

4. non-native speaker not only has to make sense of the euphemisms he hears, but he also has to learn which euphemisms are appropriate in any particular situation.非本地人不僅要理解委婉語，還要了解在什么場合委婉語的合適，可知第二段就是警告英語學習者要小心委婉語的意思和使用，故選D

5. special lessons given to students who are having difficulties in their school subjects are called Study Center可知在學習中心的學生成績很差，故選C

考點：考查說明文閱讀