Every day we experience one of the wonders of the world around us without even realizing it.It is not the amazing complexity of television, nor the impressive technology of transport.The universal wonder we share and experience is our ability to make noise without mouths, and so transmit ideas and thoughts to each other’s minds.This ability comes so naturally that we tend to forget what a miracle (奇迹) it is.
Obviously, the ability to talk is something that marks humans off from animal.Of course, some animals have powers just as amazing, Birds can fly thousands miles by observing positions of the stars in the sky in relation to the time of day and year.In Nature’s talent show, humans are a species of animal that have developed their own special act.If we reduce it to basic terms, it’s an ability for communicating information to others, by varying sounds we make as we breathe out.
Not that we don’t have other powers of communication.Our facial expressions convey our emotions, such as anger, or joy, or disappointment.The way we hold our heads can indicate to others whether we are happy or sad.This is so-called “body language”.Bristling (直立的) fur is an unmistakable warning of attack among many animals.Similarly, the bowed head or drooping tail shows a readiness to take second place in any animal gathering.
Such a means of communication is a basic mechanism that animals, including human beings, instinctively acquire and display.Is the ability to speak just another sort of instinct? If so, how did human beings acquire this amazing skills ? Biologist can readily indicate that particular area of our brain where speech mechanisms function, but this doesn’t tell us how that part of our bodies originated in our biological history.
1.According to the passage, the wonder we take for granted is .
A.our ability to use language
B.the miracle of technology
C.the amazing power of nature
D.our ability to make noises with mouth
2.What feature of “body language” mentioned in the passage is common to both human an animals?
A.Lifting heads when sad.
B.Keeping long faces when angry.
C.Bristling hair when ready to attack.
D.Bowing heads when willing to obey.
3.What can be inferred from Paragraph 3?
A.Body language is unique to humans.
B.Humans are no different from animals to some degree.
C.Humans have other powers of communication.
D.Animals express emotions just as humans do.
4.This passage is mainly about .
A.the development of body language.
B.the special role humans play in nature
C.the power to convey information to others
D.the difference between humans and animals in language use
阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
Born in America , I spoke English ,not Chinese , the language of my ancestors .When I was three, my parents flashed cards with Chinese 36 at my face , but I pushed them 37 .My mom believed I would learn 38 I was ready .But the 39 never came.
On a Chinese New Year’s Eve , my uncle spoke to me in Chinese , but all I could do was 40 at him , confused , scratching my head .“ Still can’t speak Chinese?” He 41 me , “You can’t even buy a fish in Chinatown .”
“Hey ,this is America , not China.I’ll get some 42 with or without Chinese.” I replied and turned to my mom for 43 .
“Remember to ask for fresh fish, Xin Xian Yu ,” she said , handing over a $20 bill .I 44 the words, running downstairs into the streets of Chinatown.
I found the fish 45 surrounded in a sea of customers.“I’d like to buy some fresh fish,” I should to the fishman.But he 46 my English words and turned to serve the next customer .The laugh of the people behind increased 47 their impatience.With every 48 , the breath of the dragons on my back grew stronger—my blood boiling— 49 me to cry out .“ Xian Sheng Yu , please.” “Very Xian Sheng ,” I repeated .The crowd erupted into laughter .My face turned 50 and I ran back home 51 , except for the $20 bill I held tightly in my pocket.
Should I laugh or cry? They’re Chinese.I should feel right at 52 .Instead , I was the joke , a disgrace (丢脸)to the language.
Sometimes, I laugh at my fish 53 , but , in the end, the joke is on 54 .Every laugh is a culture 55 ; every laugh is my heritage (传统) fading away.
1.A.custom B.games C .characters D.language
2.A.ahead B.around C.along D.aside
3.A.when B.before C.unless D.until
4.A.success B.study C.time D.attempt
5.A.aim B.joke C.nod D.stare
6.A.cared about B.laughed at C.argued with D.asked after
7.A.right now B.from now C.at times D.in time
8.A.decision B.Permission C.information D.preparation
9.A.repeated B.reviewed C.spelled D.kept
10.A.farm B.stand C.pond D.market
11.A.guessed B.forget C.doubted D.ignored
12.A.by B.as C.with D.from
13.A.second B.effort C.desire D.movement
14.A.forcing B.allowing C.persuading D.leading
15.A.bright B.blank C.pale D.red
16.A.open-mouthed B.tongue-tied C.empty-handed D.broken-hearted
17.A.service B.home C.risk D.root
18.A.trade B.deed C.challenge D.incident
19.A.it B.us C.me D.them
20.A.thrown B.lost C.divided D.reflected
——Guess what ,we’ve got our visas for a short-term visit to the UK this summer.
——How nice! You a different culture then.
A.will be experiencing B.have experienced
C.have been experiencing D.will have experienced
We should respect food and think about the people who don’t have we have here and treat food nicely.
A.that B.which C.what D.whether
——In this day and age, women can have children and jobs as well.
——I can’ t agree more. It’s great to have the two .
A.linked B.related C.connected D.combined
We’ve just moved into a bigger house and there’s a lot to do.Let’s it.
A.keep up with B.do away with
C.get down to D.look forward to