大学英语四级听力的习语类题目中,除了短语类的以外,还有一种是在对话中包含一个谚语或者熟语,用这个谚语或者熟语进行比喻,说明一个道理,或表示说话人的一种观点.这类题目虽不多见,但也不是绝无仅有,同学们在备考的时候还是要加以注意.

　　例1:

　　A) He needs more practice.

　　B) He shouldn't be so ambitious.

　　C) He is very good at his study.

　　D) He'd better take care of himself.

　　M: I don't know whether I will be able to keep up with the rest of my class.

　　W: Don't lose heart. Practice makes perfect.

　　Q: What does the woman mean?

　　【解析】答案为A).Practice makes perfect.是一常用的谚语,意为"熟能生巧".女士没有直接说出男士需要多多练习才能赶上班里的其他同学,而使用这个谚语,显得既文雅又得体.所以A)是答案.

　　例2:

　　A) She wants to work again tomorrow.

　　B) She is willing to stop working.

　　C) She wants to consider half a day's work as a full day.

　　D) She is unhappy to work so long without salary.

　　M: We have worked long enough for a Saturday afternoon. We are all exhausted.

　　W: Ok. Let's call it a day.

　　Q: What does the woman mean?

　　【解析】答案为B).Let's call it a day.是一个熟语,意思是"我们今天就结束工作吧/今天就干到这吧",所以,她愿意就此结束一天的工作.所以B)是正确答案.

　　英语中有丰富的谚语和熟语,这些是英语文化的一部分.同学们在平时的学习中注意有意识地积累一些英语的谚语和熟语,不但可以提高自己的英语水平,而且可以提高自己的文化素养.

　　例3:

　　A) She can never recall the title of the book.

　　B) The title is rather difficult to pronounce.

　　C) She has temporarily forgotten the title.

　　D) It's a bestseller of the year.

　　M: Are you sure you can't recall the title of the book?

　　W: It's just on the tip of my tongue!

　　Q: What does the woman say about the book?

　　【解析】答案为C).It's just on the tip of my tongue.是一常用的熟语,表示"暂时想不起来了",相当于汉语中的"就在嘴边,就是叫不出来".它与temporarily forget意思相符合.所以C)是答案.

　　例4:

　　A) Larry earns enough money to buy a new car.

　　B) Larry can't have enough money to buy a new car.

　　C) Larry, together with somebody, will buy a new car.

　　D) Larry doesn't want to buy a new car.

　　W: I was told that Larry is going to buy a new car.

　　M: Larry? I doubt it. What he earns is just enough to keep his body and soul together.

　　Q: What does the man mean?

　　【解析】答案为B).What he earns is just enough to keep his body and soul together. 意思是所挣的钱只能糊口而已.这是男士说Larry没有钱买车,只不过用了一个熟语来表达。

　　例5:

　　A) He disagrees with the woman.

　　B) He wants to buy more cars.

　　C) He agrees with the woman.

　　D) He scolds her for such a silly suggestion.

　　W: I think we should buy a new car.

　　M: I couldn't agree with you more.

　　Q: What is the man's opinion?

　　【解析】答案为C).I can't agree with you more. 是常用来表示赞成的熟语,男士用couldn't以表示委婉一些.所以男士赞成女士买车的想法.所以C)是正确答案.

　　例6:

　　A) It is a shame to be late.

　　B) What a pity.

　　C) I am happy to hear that.

　　D) No problem.

　　W: I wish I could, but I am late already.

　　M: What a shame!

　　Q: What does the man mean?

　　【解析】答案为B).不要把熟语What a shame!理解为"太可耻了",它的意思是What a pity.(太遗憾了/ 太可惜了).所以B)是答案.

　　例7:

　　A) I don't believe it.

　　B) You are not lucky.

　　C) You are lucky.

　　D) You are joking.

　　W: Tomorrow I shall go abroad with my father.

　　M: Really? Aren't you lucky!

　　Q: What does the man mean?

　　【解析】答案为C).Aren't you lucky!意为"你多幸运啊!"常常表示羡慕,所以应选C).

　　(文/李树德　英语辅导报大学一年级版03~04学年第36期;版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)