16.Have you ever heard someone use the phrase"once in a blue moon"?People use this expression to describe something that they do not do very often.For example,someone might say that he tries to avoid eating sweets because they are unhealthy,but will eat chocolate"once in a blue moon".Or someone who does not usually like to go to the beach might say"I visit the shore once in a blue moon."While many people use this phrase,not everyone knows the meaning behind it.
The first thing to know is that the moon itself is never really blue.This is just an expression.In fact,the phrase"blue moon"has to do with the shape of the moon,not the color.
As the moon travels around the earth,it appears to change shape.We associate names with certain shapes of the moon.For example,when we can see a small part of the moon,it is called a crescent moon.A crescent is a shape that looks like the tip of a fingernail.When we cannot see the moon at all,it is called a new moon.
When we can see the whole moon,it is called a full moon.Usually,there is only one full moon every month.Sometimes,however there will be two full moons in one month.When this happens,the second full moon is called a blue moon.
Over the next 20years,there will only be 15blue moons.As you can see,a blue moon is a very rare event.This fact has led people to use the expression"once in a blue moon"to other very rare events in their lives.
41.You can most probably read the passage inA.
A.a science book
B.a story book
C.a history book
D.a writing book
42.Which of the following would be a good example of using the phrase"once in a
blue moon"?B
A.Simon often tells jokes.He tells jokes once in a blue moon.
B.Tom rarely remembers to do exercise.He does exercise once in a blue moon.
C.Mary likes to go shopping every weekend.She goes shopping once in a blue moon.
D.Cindy hates to stay up,but she stays up every day.She stays up once in a blue moon.
43.When does a blue moon happen in nature?D
A.When the moon has a blue moon.
B.When we can only see a small part of the moon.
C.When we cannot see the moon at all.
D.When there are two full moons in one month.
44.How often will a blue moon happen over the next twenty years?B
A.Once a year.
B.Less than once a year.
C.More than once a year.
D.At least twice a year.
45.What does the underlined part"This fact"in the last paragraph refer to?A
A.A blue moon is a very rare event.
B.The moon appears to change shape.
C.The moon itself is never really blue.
D.A blue moon has to do with the shape of the moon.
分析 这篇短文主要讲述了人们经常用once in a blue moon来表示"千载难逢",文章同时详细说明了人们为什么用它来表示"千载难逢"的原因.
解答 41-45 ABDBA
41.A.推理题,本文是从科学上解释千载难逢,可知文章可能会出自一本科学书,故选A.
42.B.推理题.结合People use this expression to describe something that they do not do very often可知once in a blue moon是"千载难逢""难得一遇"的意思,形容人们不经常做的事情,结合B汤姆极少做作业,故选B.
43.D.细节题,结合however there will be two full moons in one month.When this happens,the second full moon is called a blue moon的描述可知是一个月有两次满月的时候,故应选D.
44.B.细节题,结合Over the next 20 years,there will only be 15 blue moons的描述可知,二十多年仅有十五次,一年多一次,故选B.
45.A.推理题.结合As you can see,a blue moon is a very rare event.This fact has led people to use the expression"once in a blue moon"to other very rare events in their lives.可知a blue moon是很稀有的事情,人们用这个短语去描述极少发生的深情,故this fact替代的是上文a blue moon is a very rare event,故答案是A.
点评 本文的意思是比较简单易懂的,阅读时注意对个别词的理解,如rare、over、crescent、full等.本题的几个题目都不能完全在文章中找到原句,需要我们根据对相应的句型和文意的理解来加以推断,故做题时,注意从总体上把握.