Reading Comprehension and some phrases

Posted by Bookworm on March 18, 2004

In Reply to: Reading Comprehension and some phrases posted by ESL on March 18, 2004

: Hi, could you please work it out for me?
: The keys are:
: 1. B 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. A
: But my choices for No.4 & 5 are D & B! Could you explain these 2 questions?

: And what does 'the average bear' mean?

The answer key is indeed correct.

From the story itself:

> Another thing that bothers me: What if Elmo
> isn't real? He can't be a mere puppet! He's got > a better attitude than most people. I just keep > wondering.

The author is asking if Elmo is real and then stating the he can't be a mere puppet. This is said with disbelief and the author is actually saying that he wants to believe that Elmo is real.

The answer to question #5 can be found here:

> Maybe we'll run into that mouse who dresses
> well but certainly doesn't speak as clearly as > the average bear.

This passage states that the mouse on TV doesn't speak as clearly as "the average bear". The origin of this has been explained in a previous post, and is used here to mean that the mouse's ability to speak clearly is below average.

• Reading Comprehension and some phrases Henry 18/March/04