Question

The Vieira family moved to the United States in 1981. At that time, they decided to stop speaking Spanish at home and only communicate in English. This was because they were now living in an English－speaking country.

    Now the Vieira children are adults, and they sometimes travel to Spain to visit their family and friends. But they cannot communicate with them. Unfortunately this is common. When people move to new countries, they often leave their own customs and mother language behind. This is－a mistake because there are many benefits to knowing more than one language.

    One advantage of speaking more than one language is that you can communicate directly with more people around the world. You do not have to depend on others to talk for you, so you're more independent. People who know only one language must use others to help them communicate.

    Furthermore, speaking a second language also allows people to experience other cultures and customs more effectively. Local expressions, vocabulary, and even jokes can have a powerful effect on a person's understanding of another culture. So, knowing more than one language increases your knowledge of other cultures.

    Finally, having more multi－language speakers improves relationships between countries. If people from different countries can communicate well, the world can become closer. Countries will then have more respect for each other and better understand each other's problems.

    The benefits of knowing more than one language are clear. In fact, there are no disadvantages. It is very sad that many people don't try to learn another language. It is even worse when people let themselves forget their mother language and become silenced.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. The benefits of learning other languages.

B. The reasons why people come to America.

C. The importance of learning English.

D. How to learn another language.

2.The passage begins with the experience of the Vieira family in order to              

A. discuss the need for teaching a new language

B. introduce the passage's main characters to the readers

C. describe the advantages of moving to another country

D. show the problems of speaking only one language

3.The underlined phrase "multi－language speakers" (Paragraph 5) means "people who know                 ."

A. their mother language         B. a new language

C. more than one language       D. body language

4.According to the last paragraph, which of the following is the worst?

A. Not knowing another language.

B. Forgetting one's mother language,

C. Refusing to learn another language

D. Failing to communicate with others.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：这篇文章主要讲述了学习外语的好处，可以更好的直接与别人进行沟通，可以更有效地了解其他国家的文化和习俗，并且加强国家间的关系。学习外语只有好处而没有坏处，那些甚至连母语都忘记的人就更加错了。

1.主旨大意题。这篇短文主要讲述了学习外语的好处，可以更好的沟通，可以了解其他的文化并且加强国家间的关系；故此题选A，学习其他语言的好处。

2.判断推理题。文章在开头以Vieira一家为例，是为了说明他们丢弃了母语只讲英语是一个错误，故此题选D，说明只讲一门语言的问题。

3.词意推测题。结合前后文，此句为：最后，可以讲更多的语言能够加强国家间的关系。Multi-language多语言的，故选C。

4.判断推理题。根据最后一段内容It is even worse when people let themselves forget their mother language and become silenced.更糟糕的是有些人忘记了自己的母语而不会讲母语了；故选B。

考点：社会类短文阅读。