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Every year, dictionaries add hundreds of new words to their pages and online databases, turning the latest words into official entries. If any of these new words become obsolete someday, lexicographers (词典编纂者) may decide to remove them from the dictionary. But for now, they’re ours to discuss, giggle over and put to use. Merriam-Webster added 200 new words to the dictionary in 2024. How many have you heard before? Here are some favorite new words of 2024.

One of the most well-recognized of the new words added to the dictionary in 2024, “griddle” can trace its origin back to the 14th century. While the noun form of griddle has appeared in the dictionary for years, the verb form is a new addition. In the past, if you were planning to prepare a meal on a flat cooking surface heated from below, you’d say you were going to “cook your eggs on a griddle.” Now, you can just say you’re going to “griddle your eggs.” You can griddle pancakes, burgers, grilled cheese and other foods that are best prepared with a direct, even heat source, allowing for even cooking and browning.

What do Dakota Johnson, Brooklyn Beckham and Meghan McCain have in common? Each of them can be called a nepo baby, “a child of a famous parent.” Rooted in the word “nepotism”, this new-to-the-dictionary slang word has become shorthand for someone who has gained career opportunities due to family relationships rather than solely on their own merit. That’s not to say nepo babies don’t deserve their success: Many have worked hard to carve out their own paths in their respective fields.

Have you watched a video of two people greeting each other with “a stylized gesture that involves clasping hands and incorporating a variety of additional gestures (such as bumping fists, snapping fingers and slapping palms)”? Well, you’ve witnessed a dap. The slang term originated with African American English in the early 1970s and refers to an informal greeting used to express a sense of familiarity, unity and respect. Think of it as a playful alternative to the conventional handshake.

1.1.What does the underlined word “obsolete” probably mean?

A 流行的.

B 无趣的.

C 网络的.

D 淘汰的.

解析：选D。D 词义猜测题。根据第一段划线单词后文的“may decide to remove them from the dictionary”可知，被“淘汰的”单词会被移出词典。故选D。

2.2.What is special about the new word “griddle”?

A It’s associated with a casual, relaxed attitude to life.

B It is very rare despite its long history.

C It has existed in the dictionary long before.

D It encourages kids to engage with the outside world.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“While the noun form of griddle has appeared in the dictionary for years, the verb form is a new addition.”可知，“griddle”一词的名词形式早已加入词典，2024年新增加的是其动词形式。故选C。

3.3.According to the author, “nepo baby” is a ________ word.

A negative

B positive

C neutral

D vague

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第三段中的“for someone who has gained career opportunities due to family relationships”“That’s not to say nepo babies don’t deserve their success: Many have worked hard to carve out their own paths in their respective fields.”可知，裙带宝贝/裙带关系小孩指的是具有行业声望的演员、音乐家、制片人或其他业内名人的后代，但并不是说这些孩子不值得他们的成功，许多人都在各自的领域努力开拓自己的道路。由此可知，作者认为nepo baby是个中性词。故选C。

4.4.Which of the following about the word “dap” is TRUE?

A It is used before leaving.

B It is a handshake way.

C It is a rude gesture.

D It is used at parties.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“two people greeting each other”“Think of it as a playful alternative to the conventional handshake.”可知，“dap”是一种问候方式。故选B。