Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Far from reality
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of an English idiom, all moonshine. Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be guessed directly from the individual words. In exams, idiom questions check whether you understand how native speakers actually use such phrases in everyday or literary contexts.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The idiom is:
The options are:
We must select the option that conveys the intended figurative meaning.
Concept / Approach:
In idiomatic English, all moonshine is used to refer to something that is unreal, baseless, or without any truth. It suggests that a statement or story is just fancy talk or imagination and not grounded in reality. The literal image of moonlight, which is soft, vague, and insubstantial, is used metaphorically to describe ideas that have no solid basis. Therefore, the meaning far from reality best matches this idiom.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the expression is idiomatic and not about astronomy or physical light.
Step 2: Recall that in older English usage, calling something moonshine often meant it was nonsense or empty talk.
Step 3: Examine Glowing. This relates to shining or emitting light and does not contain any sense of unreality.
Step 4: Examine Far from reality. This phrase directly suggests that something is unreal, false, or not based on facts.
Step 5: Examine Celestial. This means relating to the sky or heaven and remains in the literal space instead of conveying figurative meaning.
Step 6: Examine About the moon. This option is purely literal and does not capture any idiomatic nuance.
Step 7: Since all moonshine is used to dismiss statements as nonsense or entirely unrealistic, Far from reality is the correct interpretation.
Verification / Alternative check:
Consider example sentences: His promises of instant riches are all moonshine. Here, the speaker means that the promises are not to be believed and have no basis. Replacing all moonshine with far from reality keeps the meaning: His promises are far from reality. On the other hand, saying His promises are glowing or celestial does not make logical sense in this context, which confirms the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Glowing is wrong because it describes brightness or praise, not unreality. Celestial is wrong because it relates to the heavens or sky, which is not the metaphorical sense used here. About the moon is wrong because it treats the idiom as a literal reference to the moon, which it is not. All moonshine refers to lack of substance or truth, not to anything physically connected with the moon.
Common Pitfalls:
A typical mistake is to interpret idioms literally and choose options that mention the subject in the phrase itself, such as the moon here. Another pitfall is to be distracted by poetic sounding words like celestial. To avoid such errors, try to recall whether you have seen the expression used in context and what attitude it carried there. For all moonshine, the attitude is dismissive, suggesting something is nonsense or unreal.
Final Answer:
The idiom all moonshine means Far from reality.
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