每课一词：新概念英语第1册第131课
接下来我们继续来看第131课的“每课一词”：
Lesson 131 Don't be so sure
Where are you going to spend your holidays this year, Gary?
We may go abroad. I'm not sure. My wife wants to go to Egypt. I'd like to go there, too. We can't make up our minds.
Will you travel by sea or by air?
We may travel by sea.
It's cheaper, isn't it?
It may be cheaper, but it takes a long time.
I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves.
Don't be so sure. We may not go anywhere. My wife always worries too much.
Who's going to look after the dog?
Who's going to look after the house?
Who's going to look after the garden?
We have this problem every year. In the end, we stay at home and look after everything!
——选自《新概念英语》第一册，外语教学与研究出版社，1997年10月第1版
二、每课一词
cheap
【源】
直接源自古英语的ceap，意为“廉价”。
【音】
[tʃiːp]
【义】
cheap常用作形容词，主要表示“便宜的；廉价的”。如：
The shirts were cheap and sold out fast.这些衬衫很便宜，很快就卖完了。Many children were exploited as cheap labour in factories.许多儿童在工厂里作为廉价劳动力受到剥削。
【注意】
inexpensive和cheap
这两个词都可表示“便宜的、价廉的”，但是：
inexpensive指商品价格公道，数量和价格相当。cheap为普通用词，既可指物美价廉，又可指价格低但质量却不怎么样。
三、更多拓展
We have this problem every year.
注意句中problem表示“问题；难题；习题”。如：
The problem is when to get the money we need.问题是什么时候能得到我们所需要的钱。Heavy traffic poses a problem in many old towns.交通拥挤是许多旧城镇的难题。The students are working on a mathematical problem.学生们正在解一道数学习题。
【注意】
problem、question、issue、matter
这些词都有“问题”之意，但是：
problem指客观上存在的、难以处理或难以理解的问题。question通常指用口头或书面提出来要求回答或有待讨论解决的问题。issue多指意见能达到一致的问题，但要通过争论或讨论解决。matter含义不很具体，暗示人们考虑和关心的事和话题。
