A
There are many American expressions about insects - like bees, for example.
You might say you were as busy as a bee if you spent your weekend cleaning your house. In fact, you also might say you made a beeline for something if you went there right away. When we go to see a movie, my friend always makes a beeline for the place where they sell popcorn.
Here is an expression about bees that is not used much any more, but we like it anyway. If something was the best of its kind, you might say it was the bee's knees. Now, we admit that we do not know how this expression developed. If fact, we do not even know if bees have knees!
If your friend cannot stop talking about something because she thinks it is important, you might say she has a bee in her bonnet. If someone asks you a personal question, you might say "that is none of your beeswax." This means none of your business.
Hornets are bee-like insects that sometimes attack people. If you are really angry, you might say you are mad as a hornet. And if you stir up a hornet's nest, you create trouble or problems.
Butterflies are beautiful insects, but you would not want to have butterflies in your stomach. That means to be nervous about having to do something, like speaking in front of a crowd. You would also not want to have ants in your pants. That is, to be restless and unable to sit still.
Here are some expressions about plain old bugs, another word for insects. If a friend keeps asking you to do something you do not want to do, you might ask him to leave you alone or "stop bugging me." A friend also might tell you again and again to do something. If so, you might say he put a bug in your ear.
If you were reading a book in your warm bed on a cold winter's day, you might say you were snug as a bug in a rug. And, if you wish someone good night, you might say, "sleep tight - don't let the bed bugs bite."
21. If you are going to give a speech before a big audience, you would probably______.
A. have ants in your pants B. have a bug in your ear
C. have a bee in your bonnet D. have a butterfly in your stomach
22. We can infer from the article that _________.
A. bees are popular insects B. bees fly to a place directly
C. bees actually have no knees D. bees sometimes refer to babies
23. What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The various insects commonly seen in America.
B. The interesting expressions concerning bugs in America
C. The different explanations for particular idioms in America
D. The amazing richness of English expressions in America.