Reading 21–22 Idiomatic Expression + Main Idea

Reading · Upper-Intermediate

Prioritize item 22 (main idea)

This is a set combining an idiom blank (item 21) with the main idea (item 22), based on a single passage. Item 21 requires knowing the meaning of an idiom built around a body part ('고개를 젓다,' '발이 넓다,' and the like), so without prior vocabulary study it easily turns into a guess. Item 22 (main idea), on the other hand, can be solved just by following the flow of the passage even without knowing the idiom, so it is more likely to be secured. The only real way to prepare for item 21 is to memorize each idiom paired with its meaning. Inferring from context has its limits, so it's more efficient to separately learn a list of frequently appearing body-part idioms. For item 22, the writer's conclusion is usually found in the last sentence of the passage or right after an expression like '결국' or '이처럼.' If you first eliminate options that cover only part of the passage or contradict it, the one option left is often the answer.

Idiomatic Expression + Main Idea

• 고개를 젓다 — Means to refuse or oppose something.
• 발이 넓다 — Means to know a lot of people and have wide connections.
• 눈이 높다 — Means one's standards are picky and high.
• 손이 크다 — Means one is generous and lavish in spending.
• 귀가 얇다 — Means one is easily swayed by others' words and believes them readily.
• 입이 무겁다 — Means one doesn't spread words carelessly and keeps secrets well.
• 발을 끊다 — Means to stop going to a place one used to frequent, or to cut off a relationship.
• 눈을 감다 — Means to pretend not to notice a fault or problem even though one is aware of it.
• 발 벗고 나서다 — Means to step forward actively to help, as if it were one's own business.
• 어깨가 무겁다 — Means to feel a heavy sense of responsibility for a task one has taken on.
• 코가 납작해지다 — Means to be greatly embarrassed or to have one's pride crushed.
• 손에 익다 — Means a task becomes skillful after doing it many times.

• An idiom built around a body part (head, hand, foot, eye, etc.)
• The concluding sentence at the end of the passage, or right after '결국' or '이처럼'
• An option that covers only part of the passage or contradicts it

• For item 21, first determine the direction of the emotion or attitude (positive/negative) from the context around the blank
• Choose the idiom that matches that direction
• For item 22, check right after the last sentence or a concluding expression first
• Eliminate options that contradict the passage or cover only part of it

• Trying to force-fit an idiom's literal, word-for-word meaning to the context
• Mistaking a single detail from the passage for the main idea

An optional section. If you don't know the idiom, it's better to give up on item 21, but item 22 can be solved without knowing the idiom, so try item 22 first.