阅读理解。
Baseball is America's national sport. So it is not unusual that many popular expressions come from
baseball. But first, let me explain a little about the game.
Each baseball team has nine players. The pitcher of one team throws the ball to a batter from the
other team. The batter attempts to hit the ball. If he misses, it is called a strike. If a batter gets three
strikes, he loses his turn at bat and is called out. The batter also is out if he hits the ball in the air and
an opposing player catches it. But if the batter hits the ball and it is not caught, the batter tries to run
to one or more of the four bases on the field. The batter can run to all four bases if he hits the ball
over the fence or out of the ballpark. Such a hit is called a homerun.
Now, here are some common expressions from baseball. Someone who is "in the ball" is intelligent
and able to do a good job. But a person who "threw a curve ball" did something unexpected. Someone
who "steps up to the plate" is ready to do his or her job. A "pinch hitter" takes the place of someone
else at a job or activity.
Sometimes I have to give information quickly, without time to think it over. Then I would say
something "right off the bat." If someone is doing an extremely good job and is very successful, you
might say he or she is"batting one thousand."
If I say I want to "touch base" with you, I will talk to you from time to time about something we
plan to do. I might say I"touched all the bases" if I did what is necessary to complete a job or activity.
And if I "covered my bases" I was well prepared. However, someone who is "way off base" did
something wrong or maybe even dishonest or immoral. A person with strange ideas might be described
as "out in left field." Finally, when a situation changes completely, we say "that is a whole new ballgame."
1. The writer's purpose is ____. [ ]
A. to explain the rules of a sport game-baseball
B. to tell you more about America's national sports
C. to introduce some useful expressions from baseball
D. to show the connection between expressions and sports
2. The underlined sentence "The batter also is out" means ____. [ ]
A. the batter will run to one of the four bases
B. the batter will not continue the game
C. the match will be over immediately
D. the batter will change his position
3. Which of the following expressions means that someone is able to do a good job? [ ]
A. to be on the ball
B. to step up the plate
C. to throw a curve ball
D. to touch all the bases
