Question

For centuries, the body’s blood has been connected closely with the feelings. People who show no human emotions or feelings are said to be cold-blooded.

Cold can affect other parts of the body. But the expression ―get cold feet‖ has nothing to do with cold or your feet. The expression means being afraid to do something you have decided to do. For example, you agree to be CEO of a company. But then you learn that all the other officers have resigned (辭職), and all the work of the company will be your responsibility (責(zé)任). You are likely to get cold feet about being CEO when you understand the situation.

The expression “give someone the cold shoulder” probably comes from the physical act of turning your back toward someone, instead of speaking to him face to face. You may give the cold shoulder to a friend who has not kept a promise (遵守諾言) he made to you, or to someone who has lied about you to others.

“A cold fish”is not a fish. It is a person. But it is a person who is unfriendly, unemotional and shows no love or warmth. A cold fish does not offer much of himself to anyone. Someone who is a cold fish could be cold-hearted. He or she will never feel sorry for those in bad situation.

“Out in the cold” means not getting something that everybody else got. A person might say that everybody but him got a pay raise—he was left out in the cold. And it is not a pleasant place to be.

1. How many expressions about ―cold‖ are mentioned in the passage?

A. Two. B. Three. C. Four. D. Seven.

2. If you ―get cold feet‖, it means “ ______”

A. your feet are very cold

B. you offer much of yourself to anyone

C. you miss something that everybody else got

D. you are afraid to do something you have decided to do

3.You may think of an unfriendly person as “ ______”

A. a cold fish B. the cold feet

C. the cold shoulder D. being out in the cold

4. What’s the passage mainly about?

A. Ways of making friends.

B. Advice on keeping warm.

C. Expressions connected with ―cold‖.

D. Opinions about cold-hearted people.

Answer 1