Question

    Children learn to construct language from those around them. Until about the age of three, children tend to learn to develop their language by modeling the speech of their parents, but from that time on, peers have a growing influence as models for language development in children. It is easy to observe that, when adults and old children interact with younger children, they tend to change their language to improve communication with younger children, and this changed language is called caretaker speech

When speaking to young children most people will, without thinking, find ways to simplify their language. A caretaker will speak in one way with adults and in a very different way with young children. Caretaker speech tends to be slower speech with short simple words which are said in a high-pitched (高嗓音)voice with strong inflections (音调变化) and many repetitions of essential information.

Caretaker speech serves the very important function of allowing young children to acquire (学得) language more easily. The simplified words and sentences make it easier for the small child to begin to comprehend, and the repetitions strengthen the child’s developing understanding. Then, as a child’s speech develops, caretakers tend to adjust their language to a level that is slightly above that of a younger child. Without recognition of what they are doing, these caretakers will speak in one way to a one-year-old and in a more complex (复杂的) way as the child reaches the age of two or three.

There are debates among experts about whether caretaker speech is a natural function or a learned one. Those who believe that caretaker speech is a natural function in humans believe that it is human nature for children to acquire language and for those around them to encourage children to learn language naturally; the presence of a child is itself a natural stimulus (刺激) that increases the rate of caretaker speech among those present.

However, other experts believe that caretaker speech develops through nurturing (教育) rather than nature. They argue that people will try out different ways to communicate with a child and according to the child’s responses, choose the most effective speech; a parent might, for example, learn to use speech with strong inflections with a small child because the strong inflections do a better job attracting the child’s attention than do more small inflections.

1.According to the text, children over the age of three ________.

A.learn little language from those around them

B.are no longer influenced by the language of their parents

C.are influenced more by those closer to their own age

D.stop using caretaker speech in communication

2.Which of the following is TRUE about caretaker speech?

A.Most people are not familiar with the use of caretaker speech.

B.People generally speak louder to young children without realizing it.

C.Young children use caretaker speech to express themselves.

D.Caretaker speech cannot be understood if it is said only once.

3.It can be learned that parents tend to ________.

A.speak in the same way to a one-year-old and a three-year-old

B.use language that is far above the language level of a child

C.speak in a progressively less complex way as a child grows up

D.change their speech according to the language development of a child

4.It can be inferred that someone who believes in nurture over nature _________.

A.doesn’t believe children have a born ability to learn language

B.prefers to communicate with children in adults’ language

C.encourages parents to adjust their speech to children’s needs

D.has a better understanding of children’s language learning

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。文章主要讲述了照看人语言对儿童的影响，以及照看人的言语是一种自然功能还是一种习得功能，专家们各有各的看法，争论不休。

1.细节理解题。根据文章第一段中“but from that time on, peers have a growing influence as models for language development in children.” 但从那时起，同龄人作为孩子语言发展的榜样，其影响力越来越大。由此可知，三岁以上的孩子更易受那些接近自己年龄的人的影响。结合选项，故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据文章第二段“When speaking to young children most people will, without thinking, find ways to simplify their language. A caretaker will speak in one way with adults and in a very different way with young children. Caretaker speech tends to be slower speech with short simple words which are said in a high-pitched (高嗓音)voice with strong inflections (音调变化) and many repetitions of essential information” 当和小孩子说话时，大多数人会不假思索地想办法简化他们的语言。照看人会用一种方式和成年人说话，而对小孩子说话的方式则截然不同。照看人的言语倾向于慢语速，用简单的短句，用高音调的、有强烈屈折变化的、大量重复基本信息的声音说话。由此可知，人们通常在不知不觉中大声对小孩子说话。结合选项，故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据文章第三段中“Then, as a child’s speech develops, caretakers tend to adjust their language to a level that is slightly above that of a younger child. Without recognition of what they are doing, these caretakers will speak in one way to a one-year-old and in a more complex (复杂的) way as the child reaches the age of two or three.”然后，随着儿童语言的发展，照看人倾向于将他们的语言调整到略高于幼儿的水平。如果不知道他们在做什么，这些照看人会以一种方式对一岁的孩子说话，而当孩子到了两三岁时，会以一种更复杂的方式说话。由此可推断出，父母倾向于根据孩子的语言发展改变他们的语言。结合选项，故选D。

4.推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中“They argue that people will try out different ways to communicate with a child and according to the child’s responses, choose the most effective speech; a parent might”他们认为人们应该尝试不同的方式与孩子交流，并根据孩子的反应，选择最有效的语言。故可以推断出，认为孩子的语言发展是通过养育而不是自然发展的专家鼓励家长根据孩子的需要调整自己的语言。结合选项，故选C。