一道典型的语境性名词考题

请看下面的题：

She raised her finger to her lips as _____ for silence.

A. an idea                        B. a mark

C. a sign                        D. a word

【分析】此题容易误选B。应选C，sign与mark的区别是：sign 的意思是“迹象”、“征兆”gesture or movement made with the hand, head, etc, used to give information, a command, etc(用手或头等做出示意动作以传递信息或命令等)，mark 的意思是 written or printed symbol or figure, line etc made as signor an indication of sth(书写与印刷的符号或图、线等记号)。根据此二词的语义区别以及常识可知答案为C。类似地，下面两题的答案也是C：

(1) Those black clouds are a sure _____ that it’s going to rain.

A. thing                        B. mark

C. sign                         D. one

(2) Just as a famous Chinese saying goes, a timely heavy snow is a ______ of good harvest next year.

A. mark                        B. track

C. sign                         D. appearance

但是，下面一题却不能选sign，也不能选mark，而选symbol(象征)：

The lion is considered the king of the forest as it is a(n) _____ of courage and power.

A. example                    B. sign

C. mark                         D. symbol

顺便说一句，在近几年的高考中像这类结合词义区别以及语境和生活常识进行考查的试题经常出现，同学们需引起注意。(from www.nmet168.com)