UNIT 5 LANGUAGES AROUND THE WORLD
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
A new study warns about 1,500 endangered languages could no longer be spoken by the end of this century.
The study,led by The Australian National University (ANU),identified predictors that put endangered languages at high risk.Co-author Professor Lindell Bromham said that of the world’s recognised languages,around half were currently endangered.“We found that without immediate intervention,language loss may triple in the next 40 years.And by the end of this century,nearly 1,500 languages could cease (停止) to be spoken.”
Their study finds the widest range of factors ever putting endangered languages under pressure.One finding was that more years of schooling increased the level of language endangerment.The researchers say it shows we need to build curricula that support bilingual education,promoting both native language proficiency as well as use of regionally-dominant languages.“Across the 51 factors or predictors we investigated,we also found some really unexpected and surprising pressure points.This included road density,” Professor Bromham said.He added,“Contact with other local languages is not the problem.But we found that the more roads there are,connecting country to city,and villages to towns,the higher the risk of languages being endangered.It’s as if roads are helping dominant (主导的) languages ‘steam roll’ over other smaller languages.”
Professor Bromham said the study’s findings were a vital reminder that more action was urgently needed to preserve at-risk languages.He added,“When a language is lost,or is ‘sleeping’ as we say for languages that are no longer spoken,we lose so much of our human cultural diversity.The languages predicted to be lost this century still have fluent speakers,so there is still the chance to invest in supporting communities to bring native languages back to life and keep them strong for future generations.”
( )1.What do we know about language loss according to the study
[A] It is hard to predict.
[B] It will lead to human death.
[C] It is getting worse.
[D] It is out of our control.
( )2.Which suggestion is mentioned to save the endangered languages
[A] Setting up bilingual courses.
[B] Avoiding building more roads.
[C] Opening more local schools.
[D] Contacting different languages.
( )3.What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 3
[A] Some exact examples for the new research.
[B] Detailed ways to help dominant languages.
[C] Different factors to brighten at-risk languages.
[D] Elements to make endangered languages at risk.
B
If you’ve ever learnt a new language,you may know how difficult it can be.Native languages seem almost built in.But learning a new language,especially after early childhood,can be a huge task,burdened by long vocabulary lists to memorise and troublesome rules to master.Nevertheless,
it’s worth the efforts.
John Grundy,a scientist at Iowa State University who specialises in languages and the brain,
explains that learning a new language causes extensive neuroplasticity (神经可塑性) in the brain.
In other words,when you learn a new language,your brain gets rearranged,new connections are made and new pathways are formed.“It’s really just remodelling of the brain that allows it to become more efficient,” Grundy says.
These changes don’t help with just language functions.Chung-Fat-Yim,a post-doctoral researcher at Northwestern University,says they affect the whole executive processing part of the brain,what she calls the CEO of the brain.Bilinguals (双语者) use that area for language control,
but also for other purposes such as the ability to plan for future behaviours,monitor and change behaviours as needed,and switch between tasks.Being bilingual might also make you a nicer person.The bilingual person has to have an awareness that different people can hold different mental states about the same event.So they are more likely to develop greater empathy (共情).
Having a second language can even help to prevent or at least delay intelligence decline.
There is a consistent finding that bilinguals are able to put off symptoms of mental disorders for about four to six years compared to those speaking one language.
If you’re thinking it’s too late,you’re probably wrong.It’s true that young children do more quickly learning whatever language they’re exposed to.But when it comes to adding on a new one,adults aren’t as at much of a disadvantage as you might think.If you practice a lot and bury yourself in the language,you can see the benefits at any age,especially when you get older.
( )4.What does John Grundy think of picking up a new language
[A] It reshapes the brain and improves its efficiency.
[B] It indeed lays a heavy burden on learners.
[C] It is enough to memorise vocabulary and grammar.
[D] It has a negative effect on learners’ native language.
( )5.What do we know about bilinguals in Paragraph 3
[A] They change their behaviours frequently.
[B] They may not concentrate on one thing.
[C] They are more likely to understand others.
[D] They tend to find faults with others’ work.
( )6.What is vital in acquiring a new language for adults
[A] Age. [B] Engagement.
[C] Motivation. [D] Strategy.
( )7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] How learning a language changes your brain.
[B] Picking up a new language is a huge challenge.
[C] Using more languages means less diseases.
[D] How to master a new language effectively.
C
Babies as young as 4 months old who are born into a bilingual (双语的) environment show distinct and potentially advantageous brain patterns for speech processing.Our early-life experiences can have lifelong effects on our behaviour.The brain is most sensitive to its environment during the first year of life,which is thought to be a critical period for language development.
Previous studies have looked into the brain mechanisms that underlie speech processing in babies who hear just one language.To better understand this in bilingual-exposed infants,Borja Blanco at the University of Cambridge and his colleagues compared how 31 babies who only heard Spanish and 26 babies who heard Spanish and Basque,all aged 4 months,responded to Spanish recordings of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The team used an imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (近红外光谱) to measure changes in brain activities.In the Spanish-only babies,the recordings caused activation in areas which play a role in speech processing.In the bilingual-exposed babies,the recordings similarly evoked these responses,but they were larger and wider.These infants also had activation in equivalent areas of their brains’ right hemispheres (脑半球).When the recordings were then played backwards as a control arm of the experiment,the infants exposed to just Spanish had larger responses to the backwards speech,while those to Spanish and Basque had similar brain patterns as before.This may be because the bilingual infants take longer to register their primary language,in this case Spanish,as hearing both this and Basque reduces their overall exposure to either language.
If this is the case,it could help them be sensitive to linguistic differences and enable them to learn to distinguish between languages at a younger age.The researchers note that a bilingual environment stimulates changes in the brain mechanisms underlying speech processing in infants,
adding weight to the idea that the neural basis of learning two or more languages is established very early in life.
( )8.Why was the study conducted
[A] To reveal the impact of bilingual exposure.
[B] To confirm the patterns of brain mechanisms.
[C] To conclude the factors for speech processing.
[D] To explore the potentials for language development.
( )9.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about
[A] Theory basis.
[B] Study methods.
[C] Research findings.
[D] Technical assistance.
( )10.What can we learn from the research
[A] Bilingual-exposed babies are more sensitive.
[B] Bilingual-exposed babies are more linguistically critical.
[C] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ linguistic competence.
[D] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ overall language exposure.
( )11.Which of the following statements might the researchers agree with
[A] Immigrants speak better languages.
[B] Mixed-race families own more linguistic potential.
[C] Exchange students show greater learning capability.
[D] Overseas workers have higher language proficiency.
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
“When I first started learning calligraphy,I just copied the teacher’s strokes (笔画),and my work was ugly.” said Aryan from Afghanistan.He studied as a graduate student in Beijing, 1 in International Education of the Chinese language.
During his six-year stay in China,he discovered the 2 of Chinese culture.He also realised that Chinese is steadily becoming a(n) 3 language,and more people around the world want to communicate smoothly with Chinese.
To his surprise,the curriculum for foreign students in China 4 the classroom.The school organises extracurricular 5 to help them learn and experience 6 and culture.After closer and deeper 7 with Chinese culture,Aryan found his hobby:calligraphy.
“Initially,I didn’t know much Chinese and thought calligraphy would be difficult,”Aryan said.“Later on,I found out that calligraphy can help me 8 my Chinese language skills and my understanding of Chinese culture.”
He used to 9 the idea that writing Chinese characters was all about writing them neatly.
But he later found out that this view is 10 .Calligraphy helps him to understand both each stroke and Chinese people’s 11 towards life.The horizontal,vertical (垂直的) and left and right falling stokes on the paper 12 Chinese people’s unique symbols and memories.
They are also the hidden 13 to better understanding Chinese culture.
Not only did Aryan gain a deeper 14 of Chinese characters,but also developed a more mature personality along the way.Calligraphy gives him strength when he feels 15 and lost.
( )1.[A] majoring [B] settling
[C] bringing [D] resulting
( )2.[A] problem [B] pattern
[C] richness [D] resource
( )3.[A] native [B] official
[C] international [D] formal
( )4.[A] goes against [B] takes up
[C] takes over [D] goes beyond
( )5.[A] conferences [B] activities
[C] subjects [D] competitions
( )6.[A] economy [B] life
[C] work [D] pleasure
( )7.[A] competition [B] content
[C] combination [D] contact
( )8.[A] improve [B] recognise
[C] adjust [D] find
( )9.[A] hold [B] oppose
[C] break [D] suspect
( )10.[A] positive [B] contradictory
[C] wrong [D] objective
( )11.[A] direction [B] step
[C] attitude [D] effort
( )12.[A] supply [B] represent
[C] sense [D] recall
( )13.[A] responses [B] admissions
[C] reactions [D] keys
( )14.[A] function [B] ability
[C] form [D] knowledge
( )15.[A] stressed [B] inspired
[C] determined [D] interrupted
UNIT 5 LANGUAGES AROUND THE WORLD
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
A new study warns about 1,500 endangered languages could no longer be spoken by the end of this century.
The study,led by The Australian National University (ANU),identified predictors that put endangered languages at high risk.Co-author Professor Lindell Bromham said that of the world’s recognised languages,around half were currently endangered.“We found that without immediate intervention,language loss may triple in the next 40 years.And by the end of this century,nearly 1,500 languages could cease (停止) to be spoken.”
Their study finds the widest range of factors ever putting endangered languages under pressure.One finding was that more years of schooling increased the level of language endangerment.The researchers say it shows we need to build curricula that support bilingual education,promoting both native language proficiency as well as use of regionally-dominant languages.“Across the 51 factors or predictors we investigated,we also found some really unexpected and surprising pressure points.This included road density,” Professor Bromham said.He added,“Contact with other local languages is not the problem.But we found that the more roads there are,connecting country to city,and villages to towns,the higher the risk of languages being endangered.It’s as if roads are helping dominant (主导的) languages ‘steam roll’ over other smaller languages.”
Professor Bromham said the study’s findings were a vital reminder that more action was urgently needed to preserve at-risk languages.He added,“When a language is lost,or is ‘sleeping’ as we say for languages that are no longer spoken,we lose so much of our human cultural diversity.The languages predicted to be lost this century still have fluent speakers,so there is still the chance to invest in supporting communities to bring native languages back to life and keep them strong for future generations.”
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。一项新的研究表明,到本世纪末,近1 500种濒临灭绝的语言将不再被使用,所以我们应该立即进行干预,保护濒危语言。
( )1.What do we know about language loss according to the study
[A] It is hard to predict.
[B] It will lead to human death.
[C] It is getting worse.
[D] It is out of our control.
【答案】 C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段最后两句可知,如果不立即干预,未来 40 年语言流失可能会增至三倍,到本世纪末,近1 500 种语言可能不再被使用,所以语言流失的情况在变得更糟。故选C。
( )2.Which suggestion is mentioned to save the endangered languages
[A] Setting up bilingual courses.
[B] Avoiding building more roads.
[C] Opening more local schools.
[D] Contacting different languages.
【答案】 A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The researchers say it shows...regionally-dominant languages.”可知,文中提到建立支持双语教育的课程来拯救濒危语言。故选A。
( )3.What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 3
[A] Some exact examples for the new research.
[B] Detailed ways to help dominant languages.
[C] Different factors to brighten at-risk languages.
[D] Elements to make endangered languages at risk.
【答案】 D
【解析】 主旨大意题。根据第三段的内容可知,第三段主要讲述了使濒危语言处于危险中的各种因素,比如受教育年限、道路密度等。故选D。
B
If you’ve ever learnt a new language,you may know how difficult it can be.Native languages seem almost built in.But learning a new language,especially after early childhood,can be a huge task,burdened by long vocabulary lists to memorise and troublesome rules to master.Nevertheless,
it’s worth the efforts.
John Grundy,a scientist at Iowa State University who specialises in languages and the brain,
explains that learning a new language causes extensive neuroplasticity (神经可塑性) in the brain.
In other words,when you learn a new language,your brain gets rearranged,new connections are made and new pathways are formed.“It’s really just remodelling of the brain that allows it to become more efficient,” Grundy says.
These changes don’t help with just language functions.Chung-Fat-Yim,a post-doctoral researcher at Northwestern University,says they affect the whole executive processing part of the brain,what she calls the CEO of the brain.Bilinguals (双语者) use that area for language control,
but also for other purposes such as the ability to plan for future behaviours,monitor and change behaviours as needed,and switch between tasks.Being bilingual might also make you a nicer person.The bilingual person has to have an awareness that different people can hold different mental states about the same event.So they are more likely to develop greater empathy (共情).
Having a second language can even help to prevent or at least delay intelligence decline.
There is a consistent finding that bilinguals are able to put off symptoms of mental disorders for about four to six years compared to those speaking one language.
If you’re thinking it’s too late,you’re probably wrong.It’s true that young children do more quickly learning whatever language they’re exposed to.But when it comes to adding on a new one,adults aren’t as at much of a disadvantage as you might think.If you practice a lot and bury yourself in the language,you can see the benefits at any age,especially when you get older.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了学习一门新语言是如何改变你的大脑的。
( )4.What does John Grundy think of picking up a new language
[A] It reshapes the brain and improves its efficiency.
[B] It indeed lays a heavy burden on learners.
[C] It is enough to memorise vocabulary and grammar.
[D] It has a negative effect on learners’ native language.
【答案】 A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“John Grundy...new pathways are formed.”可知,John Grundy认为,学习一门新语言会使你的大脑重新排列,建立新的联系,形成新的途径。 故选A。
( )5.What do we know about bilinguals in Paragraph 3
[A] They change their behaviours frequently.
[B] They may not concentrate on one thing.
[C] They are more likely to understand others.
[D] They tend to find faults with others’ work.
【答案】 C
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第三段最后两句可知,双语者更有可能发展出较强的同理心;由此可推知,他们更有可能理解别人。故选C。
( )6.What is vital in acquiring a new language for adults
[A] Age. [B] Engagement.
[C] Motivation. [D] Strategy.
【答案】 B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据最后一段的内容可知,对于学习新语言的成年人来说,全身心投入到这门语言中是很重要的。故选B。
( )7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] How learning a language changes your brain.
[B] Picking up a new language is a huge challenge.
[C] Using more languages means less diseases.
[D] How to master a new language effectively.
【答案】 A
【解析】 主旨大意题。通读全文可知,本文主要讲述了学习一门新语言是如何改变大脑的。故选A。
C
Babies as young as 4 months old who are born into a bilingual (双语的) environment show distinct and potentially advantageous brain patterns for speech processing.Our early-life experiences can have lifelong effects on our behaviour.The brain is most sensitive to its environment during the first year of life,which is thought to be a critical period for language development.
Previous studies have looked into the brain mechanisms that underlie speech processing in babies who hear just one language.To better understand this in bilingual-exposed infants,Borja Blanco at the University of Cambridge and his colleagues compared how 31 babies who only heard Spanish and 26 babies who heard Spanish and Basque,all aged 4 months,responded to Spanish recordings of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The team used an imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (近红外光谱) to measure changes in brain activities.In the Spanish-only babies,the recordings caused activation in areas which play a role in speech processing.In the bilingual-exposed babies,the recordings similarly evoked these responses,but they were larger and wider.These infants also had activation in equivalent areas of their brains’ right hemispheres (脑半球).When the recordings were then played backwards as a control arm of the experiment,the infants exposed to just Spanish had larger responses to the backwards speech,while those to Spanish and Basque had similar brain patterns as before.This may be because the bilingual infants take longer to register their primary language,in this case Spanish,as hearing both this and Basque reduces their overall exposure to either language.
If this is the case,it could help them be sensitive to linguistic differences and enable them to learn to distinguish between languages at a younger age.The researchers note that a bilingual environment stimulates changes in the brain mechanisms underlying speech processing in infants,
adding weight to the idea that the neural basis of learning two or more languages is established very early in life.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。研究表明,双语环境会刺激婴儿大脑语言处理机制的变化,这进一步证实了学习两种或两种以上语言的神经基础在生命早期就已经建立起来的观点。文章对这项研究进行了介绍。
( )8.Why was the study conducted
[A] To reveal the impact of bilingual exposure.
[B] To confirm the patterns of brain mechanisms.
[C] To conclude the factors for speech processing.
[D] To explore the potentials for language development.
【答案】 A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段的内容可知,这项研究是为了更好地了解双语环境下的婴儿的情况,即为了揭示双语接触的影响。故选A。
( )9.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about
[A] Theory basis.
[B] Study methods.
[C] Research findings.
[D] Technical assistance.
【答案】 C
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第三段中的“In the Spanish-only babies...and Basque reduces their overall exposure to either language.”可知,第三段主要具体介绍了这项研究的发现。故选C。
( )10.What can we learn from the research
[A] Bilingual-exposed babies are more sensitive.
[B] Bilingual-exposed babies are more linguistically critical.
[C] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ linguistic competence.
[D] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ overall language exposure.
【答案】 B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句可知,双语环境下的婴儿对语言差异更敏感、更有判断力。故选B。
( )11.Which of the following statements might the researchers agree with
[A] Immigrants speak better languages.
[B] Mixed-race families own more linguistic potential.
[C] Exchange students show greater learning capability.
[D] Overseas workers have higher language proficiency.
【答案】 B
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句可知,研究人员可能会认同混血家庭拥有更多的语言潜力的观点。故选B。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
“When I first started learning calligraphy,I just copied the teacher’s strokes (笔画),and my work was ugly.” said Aryan from Afghanistan.He studied as a graduate student in Beijing, 1 in International Education of the Chinese language.
During his six-year stay in China,he discovered the 2 of Chinese culture.He also realised that Chinese is steadily becoming a(n) 3 language,and more people around the world want to communicate smoothly with Chinese.
To his surprise,the curriculum for foreign students in China 4 the classroom.The school organises extracurricular 5 to help them learn and experience 6 and culture.After closer and deeper 7 with Chinese culture,Aryan found his hobby:calligraphy.
“Initially,I didn’t know much Chinese and thought calligraphy would be difficult,”Aryan said.“Later on,I found out that calligraphy can help me 8 my Chinese language skills and my understanding of Chinese culture.”
He used to 9 the idea that writing Chinese characters was all about writing them neatly.
But he later found out that this view is 10 .Calligraphy helps him to understand both each stroke and Chinese people’s 11 towards life.The horizontal,vertical (垂直的) and left and right falling stokes on the paper 12 Chinese people’s unique symbols and memories.
They are also the hidden 13 to better understanding Chinese culture.
Not only did Aryan gain a deeper 14 of Chinese characters,but also developed a more mature personality along the way.Calligraphy gives him strength when he feels 15 and lost.
【语篇导读】 本文是记叙文。文章主要讲述了雅利安学习中文书法的过程以及在学习书法过程中得到一些关于汉字和中国文化的感悟。
( )1.[A] majoring [B] settling
[C] bringing [D] resulting
【答案】 A
【解析】 此处指雅利安主修(majoring)的课程是汉语国际教育。故选A。
( )2.[A] problem [B] pattern
[C] richness [D] resource
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据后文“of Chinese culture”以及下文他对于书法的感悟可知,在中国的六年里,他发现了中国文化的丰富多彩(richness)。故选C。
( )3.[A] native [B] official
[C] international [D] formal
【答案】 C
【解析】 根据后文“...and more people...smoothly with Chinese”可知,世界上越来越多的人希望用汉语进行顺畅的交流,说明汉语正在稳步成为一门国际(international)语言。故选C。
( )4.[A] goes against [B] takes up
[C] takes over [D] goes beyond
【答案】 D
【解析】 后文“The school organises extracurricular...”提到学校组织课外活动,说明课程不仅仅局限于课堂,而是超越了(goes beyond)课堂。故选D。
( )5.[A] conferences [B] activities
[C] subjects [D] competitions
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据上文“The school organises extracurricular...”可知,此处指学校组织课外活动(activities)。故选B。
( )6.[A] economy [B] life
[C] work [D] pleasure
【答案】 B
【解析】 此处是说学校组织课外活动让学生体验生活(life)和文化。故选B。
( )7.[A] competition [B] content
[C] combination [D] contact
【答案】 D
【解析】 此处指经过深入接触(contact)中国文化,雅利安发现了自己的爱好:书法。故选D。
( )8.[A] improve [B] recognise
[C] adjust [D] find
【答案】 A
【解析】 根据后文“my Chinese language skills and my understanding of Chinese culture”可知,书法可以帮助他提高(improve)汉语水平和对中国文化的了解。故选A。
( )9.[A] hold [B] oppose
[C] break [D] suspect
【答案】 A
【解析】 此处指雅利安曾经持有(hold)汉字只要写得整齐就行的观点。故选A。
( )10.[A] positive [B] contradictory
[C] wrong [D] objective
【答案】 C
【解析】 上文“He used to...them neatly.”提到他曾经认为写汉字只要写得整齐就行,下文“Calligraphy helps...towards life.”则说书法帮助他了解中国人对生活的态度,可知之前的观点是错误的(wrong)。故选C。
( )11.[A] direction [B] step
[C] attitude [D] effort
【答案】 C
【解析】 此处指书法能帮助他了解中国人对生活的态度(attitude)。故选C。
( )12.[A] supply [B] represent
[C] sense [D] recall
【答案】 B
【解析】 根据后文“Chinese people’s unique symbols and memories”可知,笔画代表了(represent)中国人独特的符号和记忆。故选B。
( )13.[A] responses [B] admissions
[C] reactions [D] keys
【答案】 D
【解析】 根据空后“to better understanding Chinese culture”可知,汉字的笔画也是更好地理解中国文化的隐藏钥匙(keys)。故选D。
( )14.[A] function [B] ability
[C] form [D] knowledge
【答案】 D
【解析】 此处指雅利安不仅对汉字有了更深入的了解(knowledge),还养成了更成熟的性格。故选D。
( )15.[A] stressed [B] inspired
[C] determined [D] interrupted
【答案】 A
【解析】 此处指雅利安感到有压力(stressed)和失落时,书法给了他力量。故选A。
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第
9
页
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UNIT 5 LANGUAGES AROUND THE WORLD
题组训练
(限时:35分钟 总分:42.5分)
Ⅰ.阅读理解(每题2.5分,共27.5分)
A
A new study warns about 1,500 endangered languages could no longer be spoken by the end of this century.
The study,led by The Australian National University (ANU),identified predictors that put endangered languages at high risk.Co-author Professor Lindell Bromham said that of the world’s recognised languages,around half were currently endangered.“We found that without immediate intervention,
language loss may triple in the next 40 years.And by the end of this century,
nearly 1,500 languages could cease (停止) to be spoken.”
Their study finds the widest range of factors ever putting endangered languages under pressure.One finding was that more years of schooling increased the level of language endangerment.The researchers say it shows we need to build curricula that support bilingual education,promoting both native language proficiency as well as use of regionally-dominant languages.
“Across the 51 factors or predictors we investigated,we also found some really unexpected and surprising pressure points.This included road density,” Professor Bromham said.He added,“Contact with other local languages is not the problem.But we found that the more roads there are,connecting country to city,and villages to towns,the higher the risk of languages being endangered.It’s as if roads are helping dominant (主导的) languages ‘steam roll’ over other smaller languages.”
Professor Bromham said the study’s findings were a vital reminder that more action was urgently needed to preserve at-risk languages.He added,“When a language is lost,or is ‘sleeping’ as we say for languages that are no longer spoken,we lose so much of our human cultural diversity.The languages predicted to be lost this century still have fluent speakers,so there is still the chance to invest in supporting communities to bring native languages back to life and keep them strong for future generations.”
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。一项新的研究表明,到本世纪末,近1 500种濒临灭绝的语言将不再被使用,所以我们应该立即进行干预,保护濒危语言。
( )1.What do we know about language loss according to the study
[A] It is hard to predict.
[B] It will lead to human death.
[C] It is getting worse.
[D] It is out of our control.
C
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段最后两句可知,如果不立即干预,未来 40 年语言流失可能会增至三倍,到本世纪末,近1 500 种语言可能不再被使用,所以语言流失的情况在变得更糟。故选C。
( )2.Which suggestion is mentioned to save the endangered languages
[A] Setting up bilingual courses.
[B] Avoiding building more roads.
[C] Opening more local schools.
[D] Contacting different languages.
A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“The researchers say it shows...regionally-dominant languages.”可知,文中提到建立支持双语教育的课程来拯救濒危语言。故选A。
( )3.What does the author mainly tell us in Paragraph 3
[A] Some exact examples for the new research.
[B] Detailed ways to help dominant languages.
[C] Different factors to brighten at-risk languages.
[D] Elements to make endangered languages at risk.
D
【解析】 主旨大意题。根据第三段的内容可知,第三段主要讲述了使濒危语言处于危险中的各种因素,比如受教育年限、道路密度等。故选D。
B
If you’ve ever learnt a new language,you may know how difficult it can be.Native languages seem almost built in.But learning a new language,
especially after early childhood,can be a huge task,burdened by long vocabulary lists to memorise and troublesome rules to master.
Nevertheless,it’s worth the efforts.
John Grundy,a scientist at Iowa State University who specialises in languages and the brain,explains that learning a new language causes extensive neuroplasticity (神经可塑性) in the brain.In other words,when you learn a new language,your brain gets rearranged,new connections are made and new pathways are formed.“It’s really just remodelling of the brain that allows it to become more efficient,” Grundy says.
These changes don’t help with just language functions.Chung-Fat-Yim,a post-doctoral researcher at Northwestern University,says they affect the whole executive processing part of the brain,what she calls the CEO of the brain.Bilinguals (双语者) use that area for language control,but also for other purposes such as the ability to plan for future behaviours,monitor and change behaviours as needed,and switch between tasks.
Being bilingual might also make you a nicer person.The bilingual person has to have an awareness that different people can hold different mental states about the same event.So they are more likely to develop greater empathy
(共情).
Having a second language can even help to prevent or at least delay intelligence decline.There is a consistent finding that bilinguals are able to put off symptoms of mental disorders for about four to six years compared to those speaking one language.
If you’re thinking it’s too late,you’re probably wrong.It’s true that young children do more quickly learning whatever language they’re exposed to.But when it comes to adding on a new one,adults aren’t as at much of a disadvantage as you might think.If you practice a lot and bury yourself in the language,you can see the benefits at any age,especially when you get older.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。文章主要介绍了学习一门新语言是如何改变你的大脑的。
( )4.What does John Grundy think of picking up a new language
[A] It reshapes the brain and improves its efficiency.
[B] It indeed lays a heavy burden on learners.
[C] It is enough to memorise vocabulary and grammar.
[D] It has a negative effect on learners’ native language.
A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“John Grundy...new pathways are formed.”可知,John Grundy认为,学习一门新语言会使你的大脑重新排列,建立新的联系,形成新的途径。 故选A。
( )5.What do we know about bilinguals in Paragraph 3
[A] They change their behaviours frequently.
[B] They may not concentrate on one thing.
[C] They are more likely to understand others.
[D] They tend to find faults with others’ work.
C
【解析】 推理判断题。根据第三段最后两句可知,双语者更有可能发展出较强的同理心;由此可推知,他们更有可能理解别人。故选C。
( )6.What is vital in acquiring a new language for adults
[A] Age. [B] Engagement.
[C] Motivation. [D] Strategy.
B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据最后一段的内容可知,对于学习新语言的成年人来说,全身心投入到这门语言中是很重要的。故选B。
( )7.What does the text mainly talk about
[A] How learning a language changes your brain.
[B] Picking up a new language is a huge challenge.
[C] Using more languages means less diseases.
[D] How to master a new language effectively.
A
【解析】 主旨大意题。通读全文可知,本文主要讲述了学习一门新语言是如何改变大脑的。故选A。
C
Babies as young as 4 months old who are born into a bilingual (双语的) environment show distinct and potentially advantageous brain patterns for speech processing.Our early-life experiences can have lifelong effects on our behaviour.The brain is most sensitive to its environment during the first year of life,which is thought to be a critical period for language development.
Previous studies have looked into the brain mechanisms that underlie speech processing in babies who hear just one language.To better understand this in bilingual-exposed infants,Borja Blanco at the University of Cambridge and his colleagues compared how 31 babies who only heard Spanish and 26 babies who heard Spanish and Basque,all aged 4 months,
responded to Spanish recordings of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
The team used an imaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (近红外光谱) to measure changes in brain activities.In the Spanish-only babies,the recordings caused activation in areas which play a role in speech processing.In the bilingual-exposed babies,the recordings similarly evoked these responses,but they were larger and wider.These infants also had activation in equivalent areas of their brains’ right hemispheres (脑半球).
When the recordings were then played backwards as a control arm of the experiment,the infants exposed to just Spanish had larger responses to the backwards speech,while those to Spanish and Basque had similar brain patterns as before.This may be because the bilingual infants take longer to register their primary language,in this case Spanish,as hearing both this and Basque reduces their overall exposure to either language.
If this is the case,it could help them be sensitive to linguistic differences and enable them to learn to distinguish between languages at a younger age.The researchers note that a bilingual environment stimulates changes in the brain mechanisms underlying speech processing in infants,
adding weight to the idea that the neural basis of learning two or more languages is established very early in life.
【语篇导读】 本文是说明文。研究表明,双语环境会刺激婴儿大脑语言处理机制的变化,这进一步证实了学习两种或两种以上语言的神经基础在生命早期就已经建立起来的观点。文章对这项研究进行了介绍。
( )8.Why was the study conducted
[A] To reveal the impact of bilingual exposure.
[B] To confirm the patterns of brain mechanisms.
[C] To conclude the factors for speech processing.
[D] To explore the potentials for language development.
A
【解析】 细节理解题。根据第二段的内容可知,这项研究是为了更好地了解双语环境下的婴儿的情况,即为了揭示双语接触的影响。故选A。
( )9.What is Paragraph 3 mainly about
[A] Theory basis.
[B] Study methods.
[C] Research findings.
[D] Technical assistance.
C
【解析】 段落大意题。根据第三段中的“In the Spanish-only babies...and Basque reduces their overall exposure to either language.”可知,第三段主要具体介绍了这项研究的发现。故选C。
( )10.What can we learn from the research
[A] Bilingual-exposed babies are more sensitive.
[B] Bilingual-exposed babies are more linguistically critical.
[C] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ linguistic competence.
[D] Bilingual-exposure reduces babies’ overall language exposure.
B
【解析】 细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句可知,双语环境下的婴儿对语言差异更敏感、更有判断力。故选B。
( )11.Which of the following statements might the researchers agree with
[A] Immigrants speak better languages.
[B] Mixed-race families own more linguistic potential.
[C] Exchange students show greater learning capability.
[D] Overseas workers have higher language proficiency.
B
【解析】 推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句可知,研究人员可能会认同混血家庭拥有更多的语言潜力的观点。故选B。
Ⅱ.完形填空(每题1分,共15分)
“When I first started learning calligraphy,I just copied the teacher’s strokes (笔画),and my work was ugly.” said Aryan from Afghanistan.He studied as a graduate student in Beijing, 1 in International Education of the Chinese language.
During his six-year stay in China,he discovered the 2 of Chinese culture.He also realised that Chinese is steadily becoming a(n)
3 language,and more people around the world want to communicate smoothly with Chinese.
To his surprise,the curriculum for foreign students in China 4 the classroom.The school organises extracurricular 5 to help them learn and experience 6 and culture.After closer and deeper 7 with Chinese culture,Aryan found his hobby:calligraphy.
“Initially,I didn’t know much Chinese and thought calligraphy would be difficult,”Aryan said.“Later on,I found out that calligraphy can help me 8 my Chinese language skills and my understanding of Chinese culture.”
He used to 9 the idea that writing Chinese characters was all about writing them neatly.But he later found out that this view is 10 .
Calligraphy helps him to understand both each stroke and Chinese people’s
11 towards life.The horizontal,vertical (垂直的) and left and right falling stokes on the paper 12 Chinese people’s unique symbols and memories.They are also the hidden 13 to better understanding Chinese culture.
Not only did Aryan gain a deeper 14 of Chinese characters,but also developed a more mature personality along the way.Calligraphy gives him strength when he feels 15 and lost.
【语篇导读】 本文是记叙文。文章主要讲述了雅利安学习中文书法的过程以及在学习书法过程中得到一些关于汉字和中国文化的感悟。
( )1.[A] majoring [B] settling
[C] bringing [D] resulting
A
【解析】 此处指雅利安主修(majoring)的课程是汉语国际教育。故选A。
( )2.[A] problem [B] pattern
[C] richness [D] resource
C
【解析】 根据后文“of Chinese culture”以及下文他对于书法的感悟可知,在中国的六年里,他发现了中国文化的丰富多彩(richness)。故选C。
( )3.[A] native [B] official
[C] international [D] formal
C
【解析】 根据后文“...and more people...smoothly with Chinese”可知,世界上越来越多的人希望用汉语进行顺畅的交流,说明汉语正在稳步成为一门国际(international)语言。故选C。
( )4.[A] goes against [B] takes up
[C] takes over [D] goes beyond
D
【解析】 后文“The school organises extracurricular...”提到学校组织课外活动,说明课程不仅仅局限于课堂,而是超越了(goes beyond)课堂。故选D。
( )5.[A] conferences [B] activities
[C] subjects [D] competitions
B
【解析】 根据上文“The school organises extracurricular...”可知,此处指学校组织课外活动(activities)。故选B。
( )6.[A] economy [B] life
[C] work [D] pleasure
B
【解析】 此处是说学校组织课外活动让学生体验生活(life)和文化。故选B。
( )7.[A] competition [B] content
[C] combination [D] contact
D
【解析】 此处指经过深入接触(contact)中国文化,雅利安发现了自己的爱好:书法。故选D。
( )8.[A] improve [B] recognise
[C] adjust [D] find
A
【解析】 根据后文“my Chinese language skills and my understanding of Chinese culture”可知,书法可以帮助他提高(improve)汉语水平和对中国文化的了解。故选A。
( )9.[A] hold [B] oppose
[C] break [D] suspect
A
【解析】 此处指雅利安曾经持有(hold)汉字只要写得整齐就行的观点。故选A。
( )10.[A] positive [B] contradictory
[C] wrong [D] objective
C
【解析】 上文“He used to...them neatly.”提到他曾经认为写汉字只要写得整齐就行,下文“Calligraphy helps...towards life.”则说书法帮助他了解中国人对生活的态度,可知之前的观点是错误的(wrong)。故选C。
( )11.[A] direction [B] step
[C] attitude [D] effort
C
【解析】 此处指书法能帮助他了解中国人对生活的态度(attitude)。故选C。
( )12.[A] supply [B] represent
[C] sense [D] recall
B
【解析】 根据后文“Chinese people’s unique symbols and memories”可知,笔画代表了(represent)中国人独特的符号和记忆。故选B。
( )13.[A] responses [B] admissions
[C] reactions [D] keys
D
【解析】 根据空后“to better understanding Chinese culture”可知,汉字的笔画也是更好地理解中国文化的隐藏钥匙(keys)。故选D。
( )14.[A] function [B] ability
[C] form [D] knowledge
D
【解析】 此处指雅利安不仅对汉字有了更深入的了解(knowledge),还养成了更成熟的性格。故选D。
( )15.[A] stressed [B] inspired
[C] determined [D] interrupted
A
【解析】 此处指雅利安感到有压力(stressed)和失落时,书法给了他力量。故选A。
