练习 1

Susie says, "Polly 'filled me in on the details".
This means that:

Polly drew a diagram for Susie

"Drawing a diagram" does not share a similar meaning with the idiom to "fill someone in".

Polly called Susie.

Calling' does not share a similar meaning with the idiom to "fill someone in".

Polly faxed the details to Susie.

"Faxing" does not share a similar meaning with the idiom to "fill someone in".

Polly emailed Susie.

"E-mailing" does not share a similar meaning with the idiom to "fill someone in".

Polly briefed Susie.

This is the correct choice. The expression "to fill (someone) in" expresses that someone gave detailed information to someone else. To "brief" someone expresses a very similar meaning to this idiom.

练习 2

It's time to define some idioms from this text!

Select the most appropriate definition for each idiom.

"To fill someone in" is to them.

"A decent turnout" is .

"To make it (to an event)" is to an event.

"A cross-section" of the population is of it.

It's time to define some idioms from this text!

Select the most appropriate definition for each idiom.

"To fill someone in" is to update 1 them.

"A decent turnout" is a good level of participation 2.

"To make it (to an event)" is to attend 3 an event.

"A cross-section" of the population is a sample 4 of it.

1 update: "To fill someone in" is to "update" them, or "tell them the latest news" about a subject. This is what Susie is doing with this email: she is "updating" Bruno about the focus group. Example: "I'd like you to fill me in on the results of your latest research".

1 complete: To "fill in" a form is to "complete" it, but this is not the correct answer in this context.

1 choose: To "choose" is to "select" or "decide upon". This is unrelated in meaning to the expression "to fill someone in".

1 employ: To "employ" is to "hire" or "occupy". This is unrelated in meaning to the expression "to fill someone in".

2 a good level of participation: "A good level of participation" is the best choice here. In this context, "decent" means "good" or "fair". A "turnout" is the number of people who attend an event. It shares a similar meaning with "participation rate". Example: "There was a decent turnout at the party: 400 of my friends came!".

2 a polite response: We say that we make a "polite exit" when we leave a room discreetly. It is unrelated to the meaning of "a good turnout".

2 a surprising result: A "surprising result" is an unexpected outcome. This is not synonymous with a "decent turnout".

2 an interesting opinion: An "interesting opinion" is an intriguing point of view. This is not synonymous with a "decent turnout".

3 attend: To make it (to an event) is to attend or "go to" an event. Example: We made it to the concert a bit late. In her email, Susie writes that "Icarus, Luna, and Philip all made it (to the focus group)". Note, "to make it" is often used in the negative: We can't make it to the party tonight. Sorry!

3 organise: To "organise" an event is to "arrange" or "create" it. This is unrelated in meaning to the expression "to make it to an event".

3 cancel: To "cancel" is to stop or put an end to. This is unrelated in meaning to the expression "to make it to an event".

3 begin: To "begin" is to "start" or "commence". This is unrelated in meaning to the expression "to make it to an event".

4 a sample: A "cross-section" is a "sample" or "small slice" of something taken as an example. The term is used in the figurative sense here, but can also be used literally ("The doctor cut a cross-section of skin to examine"). Another example: "A wide cross-section of the population was interviewed for my survey".

4 a specific group: A "cross-section" of the population does not refer to a specific group of people, such as women or people under 25. On the contrary, when a "cross-section" of the population is taken, it generally contains people with a variety of characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, occupation and income.

4 a majority: A "majority" is "most" of the population. It does not share a similar meaning with "cross-section".

4 a minority: A "minority" is "a small part" of the population. It does not share a similar meaning with "cross-section".

练习 3

Choose the correct term for each of the following sentences.

"My mother tells me to be quiet when I the matter of her divorce." "I'm buying shares in Microtosh, but I haven't made a decision yet." "I'm new here, can you with the latest gossip?"

Choose the correct term for each of the following sentences.

"My mother tells me to be quiet when I bring up 1 the matter of her divorce." "I'm looking at 2 buying shares in Microtosh, but I haven't made a decision yet." "I'm new here, can you fill me in 3 with the latest gossip?"

1 bring up: This is the correct choice. "To bring (a point) up" is to mention or begin discussing it. Example: "My cousin brought up an unpleasant topic during the family dinner." Bruno says that it is "definitely worth bringing this up at the next board meeting", meaning that he wants to raise this topic at the next board meeting.

1 fill in: This choice is incorrect. "To fill (someone) in" is to provide them with certain information.

1 look at: This choice is inappropriate. "To look at (a problem)" is to consider or study it. The first clause of this sentence ("my mother tells me to be quiet") indicates that the correct term must carry the meaning of "vocalising" or "speaking about" the matter of her divorce.

2 looking at: This is the correct choice. "To look at (doing something)" is to consider doing it. Example: "He looked at buying a scooter, before deciding a motorcycle was safer." Glenn Thompson says "Bruno is looking at opening a new office for his company."

2 bringing up: This choice is incorrect. "To bring (a point) up" is to mention or begin discussing it.

2 filling in: This choice is incorrect. "To fill (someone) in" is to provide them with certain information.

3 fill me in: This is the correct choice. "To fill (someone) in" is to provide them with information about a certain subject. Example: "Philip asked Hannah to fill him in with details of the last sales meeting." Glenn Thompson says "So Scott, let me just fill you in", meaning that he will update Scott with the necessary information.

3 bring me up: This choice is incorrect. "To bring (a point) up" is to mention or begin discussing it. Note that "to bring (someone) up to speed" is to update them.

3 look me at: This choice is grammatically incorrect. "To look at (someone)" is to examine or view them.

练习 4