Question

Each Indian tribe had a different language. Many Indians never learned any languages except their own. Do you know how Indians from different tribes talked to each other? They had two ways to talk without sound. One way was by sign language; another way by signals.

Sign language is a way of talking by using signs. Indians used sign language when they met strangers. In this way, they could find out whether the stranger was a friend or an enemy. In Indian sign language, signs were made with the hands. One sign meant “man”. Another meant “horse”. To tell the time of day when something happened, an Indian pointed to the sky. He showed where the sun had been at the time.

Indians usually used signals when they wanted to send messages to someone far away. To make signals, an Indian might use a pony. He might use a blanket. Or he might use smoke, a mirror or fire arrows.

To signal that he had seen many animals, an Indian rode his pony in a large circle. Sometimes the Indian gave a signal like this and then went away to hide. This meant that there was danger.

The blanket signal was visible from far away. An Indian held the corners of a blanket in his hands. Then he began to swing the blanket from side to side in front of him. An Indian could send many different signals with his blanket.

He could also send many signals with a mirror. He usually used the mirror to warn someone of danger. Of course, mirrors could be used only when the sun was shining. At night, Indians used fire arrows for signaling.

Now you can see that Indians didn’t need to learn each other’s language. They could talk to one another by using signals or sign language.

1.Blanket signals       .

A. could be seen far away

B. could be seen at night

C. were used only for warning

D. were considered the best way of sending messages

2.Indians didn’t need to learn each other’s language because       .

A. they could use signals or sign language

B. they never met each other

C. they could write messages

D. they thought they could easily make themselves understood

3.Sign language is       .

A. a language only for Indians

B. a way of taking by signing on paper

C. a way to express one’s ideas by making gestures

D. a secret way of talking to strangers

4.The story tells about       .

A. people living in Indian

B. how Indians communicate between different tribes

C. the Indians who didn’t use their languages

D. the Indians who had many kinds of languages

Answer

1.A

2.A

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文属于说明文阅读，告诉了读者印度各部落的人进行交流所使用的肢体语言和各种信号。

1.A 细节理解题。根据第五段第一句The blanket signal was visible from far away.可知the blanket的信号可以在很远的地方就被看见。故A项正确。

2.A 细节理解题。根据文章最后一句Now you can see that Indians didn’t need to learn each other’s language. They could talk to one another by using signals or sign language.可知现在的印度人不需要互相学习语言，他们可以使用信号和肢体语言进行交流。故A项内容正确。

3.C 推理判断题。根据第二段第一句Sign language is a way of talking by using signs. 和后五句In Indian sign language, signs were made with the hands..........where the sun had been at the time.中提及使用手做各种动作来表示自己的观点。也就是说肢体语言是通过做出各种姿势来表示自己的观点的方法。故C正确。

4. 主旨大意题。根据文章第一段最后一句They had two ways to talk without sound. One way was by sign language; another way by signals.可知印度人各部落的人主要通过肢体语言和发射信号进行交流，接着具体讲述这两种交流方法。故本文讲述的是：印度部落人的交流方式。故B正确。

考点：考查说明文阅读