Idioms(成语) are phrases and sentences that do not mean exactly what they say. Even if you know the meaning of each word you see or hear, you may not understand the idiom because you don't understand the culture behind it.

    For example, if an American boy asks his mother what's for dinner tomorrow, she may say “I'll play it by ear”, that means she doesn't have plans for dinner and she will decide later. “Play by ear” used to mean playing music using the sheet music(活页乐谱), but now people often use it when they're not talking about music.

    There're many idioms in English. If you learn to use them, your English will be more vivid and colorful. English idioms are more common in spoken English. They can be difficult to remember sometimes. Next time when you hear somebody saying to you, “Give me a hand”, you don't necessarily reach out your hand to him/her, but you do need to be helpful. And when the situation is out of hand, you usually can do very little to manage all that. What about a green hand? It's not about the color of your hand! You're a green hand when you are very new at your work and don't have much experience. If you and your partner always work together hand in glove, you two certainly work together very well.

    Can you guess the meanings of some common English idioms to do with parts of your body?

Garry Golden is sharing his ideas with some university students.

Golden is a futurist(未来主义者) . Futurists are scientists who study(研究) the world today and use that information to make predictions about the 

future.Some futurists study the environment.Some study human society(人类社会), Golden studies transportation(交通运输).

Golden says there will be fewer cars in cities in the future.

Golden says. "We have to build lots of parking lots (停车场) for cars, but having so many parking lots is not efficient . Much of the time the 

parking lots are empty (空的). Golden says cities will make new laws(法律)to limit(限制) the number of cars in the future.

"Buses have the same problem as parking lots,"Golden says. "Sometimes they are full, and sometimes they are empty." Golden says in the future 

people can use phones to send messages(信息) when they want to take the bus. And buses can change (改变) their ways to pick(接) them up.

"Traffic is a big problem for cities today," Golden says."But there are so many things we can do to improve it. I believe that in thirty years we will live in a very different world."

 Over the past few years, cars have become smarter and smarter. Some of them can even drive themselves. Now, our roads have followed the steps. In the United Kingdom alone, there are around650 kilometers of" smart roads" in use. Across the world, many more are being built. Some new technologies are being put to use.

▲ Roads that recharge(给……充电)

 Global warming has forced us to search for new energy sources. Why not look to the roads? Piezoelectric roads, a new kind of smart road, use vibrations(震动) from passing cars to produce electricity. In fact, Piezoelectricity was invented in 

1880. However, it has never been widely used before now. The U. K.'s Lancaster University is going to improve it.

▲ Built- in brain

 Roads of the future may be able to know how many people are on them, send drivers updates(最新的情况) on weather and traffic jams, and recharge electric cars while driving.

 This seems impossible, but one American company has almost made it come true. By sensing the weight of a car, the smart roads can track the speed of each wheel. The smart roads are like large touchpads(触摸屏) so that they can collect data(数据) by looking for wheels. And then the roads will send it to the drivers.

▲ Roads that never freeze

 It can be dangerous to drive in snowy weather. A tech company in Israel has developed the Snowless roads. When they find snow or ice on their surfaces, the roads will heat themselves up, melting(使融化) them away. The company has succeeded in testing this project on a few Canadian roads and in some of its car parks.

Sailing a boat is great exercise, which can be enjoyed with family or friends. Many people all over the world sail each year. With some lessons and practice, you could be one of them. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

● Understand the basics (基础知识)

When you're starting out in sailing, learn the basics first. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It works like any sailboat-with sails to catch the wind and push the boat forward. The sailor, the person working the boat, has to be able to move the sails, as well as use a rudder (舵) in order to direct the boat where they want it to go.

● Find sailing near you.

The most important lesson you can learn in sailing is how to do it safely, with the help of experienced sailing coaches. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Then ask your parents to call them to find out what lessons or camps they have for kids in your age group.

● Prepare for your lesson.

As a beginner, your lesson will start on land. You'll learn skills, like how to raise the sails by pulling on the lines. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It includes the boat and a life vest (救生衣). Ask what type of shoes you should wear, and dress in clothes that will dry easily.

● {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Remember to always wear your life vest on or near water, even when you're on the dock (码头). Don't go near a boat or take one out unless your parents agree, and never sail or swim alone.