Question

Many expressions that we use in American English come from novels. Today we will look at some of them from Lewis Carroll’s famous novel Alice in Wonderland in detail.

The story is about a young girl falling down a rabbit hole. When she finally lands, she finds herself in a strange world and meets some strange characters.

The first character Alice meets is the White Rabbit, who runs past her and says some strange words. Alice chases him, and that is where her adventures begin. As she runs after the rabbit, she falls down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. The expression1. can mean to enter an unexpected situation. However, usually we use this expression to mean we get interested in something to the point of distraction (分神). It often happens by accident and is about something not that meaningful.

Later in the story, Alice meets the March Hare and the Hatter at a crazy tea party. Hares have long been thought to behave excitedly in March, which is their mating (交配) season. Scientifically, this may not be true. But 2. means that someone is totally mad, or crazy. The expression 3. also means to be completely crazy and is more common. But don’t tell the March Hare. He must be green with envy!

25-27: Please choose the best expression for each blank.

A.to chase a white rabbit

B.to be mad as a March hare

C.to be mad as a hatter

D.to fall down the rabbit hole

Answer 1