初中英语拓展阅读(2)

初中英语拓展阅读(2)

A

Red is used in many American expressions. It can be used to show happiness, as in the expression “a red-letter day”. This is a day when something special happens. The expressi on is probably based on church customs. For almost 600 years, church calendars have been marked with red to show special holy days. Today’s calendars are still marked that way with the dates of holidays and special days printed in red.

The expressio n “a red-letter day” is often heard in everyday life. “A red-letter day” is a day that people are especially happy. It may be a day that you have long waited for, a wedding day, for example. Or it may be a day with a happy surprise. You might tell a friend that yesterday was a red-letter day, because you won some money in the lottery.

“Rolling out the red carpet” is another commonly heard expression. It describes an especially warm welcome of any kind. A city may “roll out the red carpet” for its baseball t eam, when the team arrives home after winning a championship. A group of supporters go to the airport to greet the team. The red-carpet welcome includes a lot of cheering by thousands of fans, a parade, music and speeches of praise by local politicians.

Red is also used in some expressions that are not happy. “Red-handed” is one. To be caught “red-handed” is to be found in an act of wrong doing. The evidence is clear. You are guilty.

Today we use the expression to be caught “red-handed” in situation s that are not serious. For example, a mother might say she caught her son red-handed, taking cookies out of the cookie jar.

Choose the best answer for each question.

( )1. The expression “a red-letter day” perhaps first came from _______.

A. English customs

B. church calendars

C. weekdays

D. a dictionary

( )2. You can say it’s a red-letter day if _______ on that day.

A. you find a good job

B. you borrow some money

C. you are free

D. you write a letter to your friend

( )3. We usually roll out the red carpet when _______.

A. a friend of ours drops by our house

B. someone is going to leave

C. we give someone a warm welcome

D. we move into a new house

( )4. You are caught “red-handed” when your teacher _______ in class.

A. sees you putting up your hand

B. finds you talking

C. asks you some questions

D. says you are clever

( )5. Which is the best title of this passage?

A. Red Is a Useful Color

B. How to Use Red

C. Red in Some Expressions

D. What’s a Red-letter Day

Help: expression n. 表达holy adj. 神圣的