The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with some one who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filed with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.
Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality（現(xiàn)實(shí)）. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.
The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day－dreamer.
When we have both our feet on the ground, and when we are down to earth, we do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us— solid(牢固的) and strong.
【小題1】A down-to-earth person could be_____________.
| A．social and proud | B．good and opposite | C．real and important | D．strong and changeable |
【小題2】The expression “has one’s nose in the air” means_____________.
| A．眉飛色舞 | B．目中無人 | C．瞻前顧后 | D．春風(fēng)得意 |
【小題3】This passage mainly talks about_____________.
| A．the use of some expressions | B．dreams and achievements |
| C．the lifestyle of honest people | D．honesty and understanding |
【小題4】If you want to understand what is real in life, you have to_____________.
| A．get along with other people easily | B．learn from those who are down to earth |
| C．be a good dreamer with quick mind | D．have both your feet on the ground |
【小題5】If you only consider your own importance, __________.
| A．you’ll think you are better than others |
| B．your life will be like the solid and strong ground |
| C．you’ll be hated by down-to-earth people |
| D．your life will be filed with love |
