Question

The time may soon come when we say goodbye to most of the world’s languages. Today humans express themselves in over 6,000 different languages. But that is quickly changing. Many scientists say that over half of these languages will disappear within the next 50 years. After 100 years, the languages used in the world will not be more than 20.

Why? It is because people from different cultures live and work together much more often than before. This brings changes. The languages of the world’s main culture are replacing the languages of the smaller cultures. Most international trade takes place in world languages such as English. People respect their own cultures and traditions, but when it comes to getting a job, knowing a world language is often necessary. It may mean the difference between success and failure.

Technology works on the change of languages in an even more amazing way. Modern media such as radio and television give young people in developing countries much knowledge about the world. But this knowledge doesn’t come in words from the mouths of their parents or the elders in their neighborhood. It usually comes in the language of a different culture.

People in different cultures think it good for them to share a popular language. They can quickly share ideas and work together. Knowing the same language means easier communication and is a basis for trust.

Is the death of a small local language such a terrible thing? The answer is maybe. Many cultures may have words for many useful things we know nothing about. If their languages die, their valuable wisdom may be lost forever. The future of the world’s language depends on our actions now. Will we protect endangered languages or allow them to quietly disappear?

Time will have the last word.

1.Scientists say that within 50 years, perhaps, there will be only _______languages in the world.

A. around 3,000          B. over 3,000

C. 6,000                 D. less than 20

2. In “the languages of the world’s main cultures are replacing the languages of the smaller cultures.” the underlined word “replace” means “_______”.

A. to put something back into a correct place

B. to find good place for something

C. to take the place of something.

D. to decide how important something is

3.The passage says that if all the people in the world knew a popular world language, _______.

A. it would be easier for them to share their ideas

B. people would have no trouble in learning language

C. lessons at schools would be taught in the language

D. people would respect their own culture more

4.According to the passage, if nobody spoke the languages of smaller cultures, _______.

A. many of the words for things we do not know would be lost

B. knowledge would come from the mouths of the elders

C. people would have difficulty in working together

D. there would be no smaller cultures

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.A

4.A

【解析】

试题分析: 随着国际贸易和网络交往，世界的语言越来越趋于缩小化，一些小的语种逐渐在交流中丧失，但在这些小语种中包含着我们极少了解的一些知识，我们要从现在开始，改变这种现状。

1.A 考查推理判断题。根据第一段提到But that is quickly changing. Many scientists say that over half of these languages will disappear within the next 50 years.在未来的五十里6000种语言将会减少一半，故选A项。

2.C 考查细节理解题。根据第二段提到The languages of the world’s main culture are replacing the languages of the smaller cultures世界主要的文化将要取代小的文化，故选C项。

3.A 考查推理判断题。根据第四段提到Knowing the same language means easier communication and is a basis for trust共同的语言是交流的基础，故选A项。

4.A 考查推理判断题。根据第五段提到Many cultures may have words for many useful things we know nothing about.许多语言包含我们所不了解的内容，故选A项。

考点 ：文化类阅读。