Below is adapted from an English dictionary. Use the dictionary to answer the following questions.
figure / fīg? / noun, verb
● noun
1. a number representing a particular amount, especially one given in official information: the trade / sales figures
2. a symbol rather than a word representing one of the numbers between 0 and 9: a six-figure salary
3. (informal) the area of mathematics that deals with adding, multiplying, etc. numbers
4. a person of the type mentioned: Gandhi was both a political and a religious figure in Indian history.
5. the shape of a person seen from a distance or not clearly
6. a person or an animal as shown in art or a story: a wall with five carved figures in it
7. the human shape, considered from the point of view of being attractively thin: doing exercise to improve one’s figure
8. a pattern or series of movements performed on ice: figure-skating
* be / become a figure of fun: be / become sb. that others laugh at
* cut a…figure: sb with a particular appearance: He cut a striking figure in his dinner jacket.
* put a figure on sth: to say the exact price or number of sth.
* a fine figure of man / woman: a tall, strong-looking and well-shaped person
* figure of speech: a word or phrase used in a different way from its usual meanings in order to create a particular mental image or effect
* figurehead: someone who is the head or chief in name only (with no real power or authority)
● verb
1. to think or decide that sth. will happen or is true: I figured that if I took the night train, I could be in Scotland by morning.
2. to be part of a process, situation, etc. especially an important part: My opinion of the matter didn’t seem to figure at all.
3. to calculate an amount or the cost of sth: We figured that attendance at 150,000.
* figure in: to include (in a sum): Have you figured in the cost of hotel?
* figure on: to plan on; to expect sth. to happen: I haven’t figured on his getting home so late.
* figure out: to work out; understand by thinking: Have you figured out how much the trip will cost?
* It / That figures!: That seems reasonable.
小題1:According to the information above, which of the following sentence is not right?
A.This year’s sales figures were quite excellent. |
B.I couldn’t figure out what the teacher was talking about. |
C.She was the leading figure in British politics in the 1980s. |
D.He was about to speak but she put a figure on his lips to stop him. |
小題2: — She was coming late again for the work.
— ______! That’s typical of her. You just can’t do anything to stop her doing that.
A.It figures her out | B.She is a figure of fun |
C.It cuts a poor figure | D.It figures |
小題3:The phrase “watch my figure” in the sentence “Don’t tempt me with chocolate; I am watching my figure.” means “______”.
A.add the numbers | B.have sports |
C.try not to get fat | D.watch games |
小題4:Which sentence is used as figure of speech?
A.John is fond of animals and raises a rabbit as a pet. |
B.In some countries, bamboo can be used to build houses. |
C.We all regard Mr. Smith as an important figure in our company. |
D.I didn’t really mean my partner was a snake. |