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Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself. But many of the expressions using water have unpleasant meanings.
The expression “to be in hot water” is one of them. It is a very old expression. “Hot water” was used 500 years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of throwing extremely hot water down on enemies attacking a castle．
That no longer happens. But we still get in “hot water”. When we are in “hot water”, we are in trouble. It can be any kind of trouble---serious or not so serious. A person who breaks a law can be in hot water with the police. A young boy can be in hot water with his mother if he walks in the house with dirty shoes．
Being in “deep water” is almost the same as being in hot water. When you are in deep water, you are in a difficult position. Imagine a person who cannot swim being thrown in water over his head. You are in deep water when you are facing a problem that you do not have the ability to solve. You can be in deep water, for example, if you invest in stocks without knowing anything about the stock market.
“To keep your head above water” is a colorful expression that means staying out of debt. A company seeks to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job．
“Water over the dam” is another expression about a past event. It is something that is finished. It cannot be changed. The expression comes from the idea that water that has flowed over a dam cannot be brought back again．
Another common expression, “to hold water”, is about the strength or weakness of an idea or opinion that you may be arguing about. It probably comes from a way of testing the condition of a container. If it can hold water, it is strong and has no holes in it. If your argument can hold water, it is strong and does not have any holes. If it does not hold water, then it is weak and not worth debating.
“Throwing cold water” also is an expression that deals with ideas or proposals. It means that one doesn’t like an idea. For example, you want to buy a new car because the old one has some problems. But your wife throws cold water on the idea because she says a new car costs too much.
This is our Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. It was written by Marilyn Christiano. I’m Rich Kleinfeldt. See you next time.
【小题1】According to the passage, expressions about water __________.
A．are very commonB．have unpleasant meanings
C．are very interestingD．are easy to understand
【小题2】The expression “hot water” _________.
A．is not used nowadays
B．has a long history
C．means arguing with others
D．only means serious trouble
【小题3】Which of the following expressions have the similar meaning?
A．“Throwing cold water” and “deep water”
B．“Hot water” and “water over the dam”
C．“Deep water” and “water over the dam”
D．“Hot water” and “deep water”
【小题4】If you signed an agreement with Tom yesterday and want to change it now, Tom may say “_______”.
A．You should keep your head above water
B．You can’t throw cold water
C．It is water over the dam
D．Don’t be in deep water
【小题5】What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Water
B．Expressions about water
C．Several common expressions
D．Water and everyday English
答案：【小题1】A
【小题2】B
【小题3】D
【小题4】C
【小题5】B
试题分析：本文主要介绍了一档特别的英语节目——《词语掌故》，本期介绍的是关于“水”的英语习语，如to be in hot water（遇到麻烦）等等。
【小题1】细节题。由第一自然段第一句话Expressions about water are almost as common as water itself.知：关于水的习语就像水本身一样普通常见。故选A。
【小题2】细节题。由第二自然的“Hot water” was used 500 years ago to mean being in trouble.知“Hot water”在500前就被用来形容“身陷麻烦之中”。故选B。
【小题3】细节题。由第四自然段的Being in “deep water” is almost the same as being in hot water.可知deep water和being in hot water意思相近。故选D。
【小题4】推理判断题。Tom是想表达不能的意思由第六自然段“Water over the dam” is another expression about a past event. It is something that is finished. It cannot be changed.知“Water over the dam”是形容事情不可更改。故选C。
【小题5】主旨大意题。文章主要讲了一些关于“水”的习语表达方式。故选B。
考点：考查说明文阅读。
2015学年浙江衢州市五校高二上期中英语试卷（带解析）

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