A euphemism(from the Greek words eu—well and pheme—speak)is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics like death or the bodily functions.Most people，for example，would find it very difficult to say in plain language that they have arranged for their sick old dog to be killed.They would soften the pain by saying：We had Ruby put down or We had Ruby put to sleep.Many people prefer to call someone plain than ugly，or cuddly rather than fat.
　　Euphemisms are an important part of every language，but it seems that English has an ever­growing number of them.The non­native speaker not only has to make sense of the euphemisms he hears，he also has to learn which euphemisms are appropriate in any particular situation.He might be aware that his American friend needs to use the toilet when she asks where the bathroom(or restroom，or comfort station)is，but he is less likely to guess that his English friend has the same need when he says he has to see a man about a dog.He might have learned，for example，that in the family way is a euphemism for pregnant.If，however，he says to his boss，“Congratulations!I hear your wife is in the family way，”he would be using an expression that is too familiar for the circumstances.
　　Schools are full of euphemisms.At Frankfurt International School，for example，the special lessons given to students who are having difficulties in their school subjects are called Study Center(in the middle school)and Academic Workshop(in the high school).Teachers rightly do not want to upset students or parents by being too frank or straightforward，and usually choose a softer word or expression to convey the same message.
　　1、At Frankfurt International School，the students who receive lessons in Study Center________.
　　A.have poor grades in the subjects
　　B.do well in school
　　C.work hard at their lessons
　　D.prefer to learn more
　　参考答案：A
　　参考解析：细节理解题。根据文章最后一段第二句“At Frankfurt International School，for example，the special lessons given to students who are having difficulties in their school subjects are called Study Center(in the middle school)and Academic Workshop(in the high school).”可知，答案A符合文意。
　　2、According to the passage，people use euphemisms in order to________.
　　A.make themselves understood
　　B.avoid embarrassment
　　C.to sound straightforward
　　D.attract attention
　　参考答案：B
　　参考解析：细节理解题。根据文章第一段第一句“A euphemism(from the Greek words eu—well and pheme—speak)is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics like death or the bodily functions.”可知，答案B“为了避免尴尬”符合文意。
　　3、The main purpose of Paragraph 2 is to________.
　　A.stress that euphemisms are an important part of every language
　　B.inform readers that English has an ever­growing number of euphemisms
　　C.suggest non­native speakers use euphemisms as often as possible
　　D.warn English learners to be careful about the meaning and use of euphemisms
　　参考答案：D
　　参考解析：推理判断题。根据文章第二段第二句“...not only has to make sense of the...also has to learn...in any particular situation.”及对第二段的整体理解可知，列举了英语中应用委婉语的不同情形，从而给英语学习者提醒：要在沟通中注意委婉语的意思和用法，以免出现尴尬状况。
　　4、When an English lady says she has to see a man about a dog，she might want to________.
　　A.have her old dog killed
　　B.see an ugly friend
　　C.go to the toilet
　　D.see a pregnant woman
　　参考答案：C
　　参考解析：细节理解题。根据文章第二段第三句“He might be aware that his American friend n3eds to use the toilet when she asks where the bathroom(or restroom，or comfort station)is，but he is less likely to guess that his English friend has the same need when he says he has to see a man about a dog.”可知，答案C符合文意。
　　5、A person who is described as plain and cuddly is in fact________.
　　A.tall and handsome
　　B.pretty and slim
　　C.ugly but tall
　　D.ugly and fat
　　参考答案：D
　　参考解析：细节理解题。根据文章第一段最后一句“Many people prefer to call someone plain than ugly，or cuddly rather than fat.”可知，答案D符合文意。
　　参考译文：
　　委婉语（来源于希腊语“eu well”和“pheme speak”）是指当人们想找到一种礼貌的或不太直接的方式来谈论诸如死亡或身体功能等困难或尴尬的话题时使用的一个词或表达方式。例如，大多数人会发现很难用简单的语言来表达他们已经安排好的。他们会说：我们把鲁比放下，或者让鲁比睡觉，这样可以减轻痛苦。许多人喜欢叫一个相貌平平的人，而不是丑八怪，或者叫一个可爱的人，而不是胖八怪。
　　委婉语是每一种语言的重要组成部分，但似乎英语中的委婉语越来越多。说英语的非母语者不仅要理解他听到的委婉语，还必须了解在任何特定情况下哪种委婉语都是合适的。他可能意识到，他的美国朋友在使用厕所时她问浴室（或洗手间，或舒适站）在哪里，但他不太可能猜测他的英国朋友有同样的需要，当他说他必须看到一个男人关于狗。例如，他可能已经学会，在家庭的方式是一个委婉的怀孕。然而，如果，他对他的老板说，“祝贺你！我听说你妻子是家庭成员，“他会用一种对环境过于熟悉的表情。
　　学校里充满了委婉的说法。例如，在法兰克福国际学校，给在学校科目上有困难的学生提供的特殊课程被称为学习中心（在中学）和学术讲习班（在高中）。教师们当然不想因为过于坦率或拘谨而使学生或家长不安。t向前，通常选择较柔和的词或表达式来传达相同的信息。