Question

    Even before a baby is born, the process of learning language has already begun. In the third stage of pregnancy（怀孕）, when the baby’s ears are fully developed, the intonation(语调)patterns of the mother’s speech are sent through the fluids in the body. This is thought to be like listening to someone talking in a swimming pool: It’s difficult to make out the individual sounds, but the rhythm（押韵） and intonation（语调） are clear. This has an important effect on language learning. By the time a baby is born, she already has a preference for her mother’s language. At this stage the baby is able to identify language through the intonation patterns.

For example, French and Russian speakers place emphasis on different parts of a word or sentence, so the rhythm of these two languages sounds different. Even at four days old, babies can use this information to tell their own language from an unfamiliar other language. This means that the newly born infants (婴儿) are ready to start learning the language that surrounds them; they already have an interest in their mothers’ language.

Research has shown that babies prefer to listen to this exaggerated(夸张的)type of speech than typical adult-like speech. They pay more attention when a parent’s speech has a higher pitch(音调)and a wider pitch range compared to adult-like speech with less exaggerated pitch features. For example, a mother might say the word “baby” in an exaggerated “singsong” voice, which holds a baby’s attention longer than it would in a simple adult-style voice. Words produced in this way also stand out more from the speech stream, making it easier for babies to pick out smaller groups of language.

So, baby talk is not just a way of getting involved with infants on a social level—it has important effects on language learning from the very first moments of a newborn’s life.

1.What does a baby first learn in the process of learning language?

A.Her mother’s language. B.Individual sounds.

C.The rhythm and intonation. D.Speeches around.

2.How does the author develop paragraph 2?

A.By making an instruction. B.By providing an example.

C.By giving a definition. D.By making a comparison.

3.Why does a mother prefer the “singsong” voice when talking to her baby?

A.To amuse herself.

B.To teach a song.

C.To attract her baby’s attention.

D.To make her baby familiar with a higher pitch.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Baby talk helps infants learn language

B.Babies tend to learn from their mothers

C.Babies are born with unusual learning ability

D.Baby talk helps infants tell one language from another

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。婴儿式的说话不仅仅是社交层面上一种与婴儿打交道的方式，而且从新生儿出生的第一刻起就对语言学习有重要的影响。用夸张的语调跟孩子说话，会更能吸引孩子的注意力。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段Even before a baby is born, the process of learning language has already begun. In the third stage of pregnancy（怀孕）, when the baby’s ears are fully developed, the intonation(语调)patterns of the mother’s speech are sent through the fluids in the body. This is thought to be like listening to someone talking in a swimming pool:It’s difficult to make out the individual sounds, but the rhythm（押韵） and intonation（语调） are clear.可知，即使在婴儿出生前，语言学习就开始了。在怀孕的第三阶段，在婴儿的耳朵完全发育时，母亲讲话的语调就通过身体里的液体发出。这被认为像是在游泳池里听人说话，很难辨认出单独的声音，但是押韵和语调很清楚。由此可知，在语言学习的过程中，婴儿最开始学的是押韵和音调。故选C。

2.

推理判断题。根据第二段For example, French and Russian speakers place emphasis on different parts of a word or sentence, so the rhythm of these two languages sounds different.可知，例如，讲法语和俄语的人把重点放在单词或句子的不同部分，因此这两种语言的节奏听起来不一样。由此可以推测出，这个自然段是通过举例子来论述的。故选B。

3.

细节理解题。根据第三段For example, a mother might say the word “baby” in an exaggerated “singsong” voice, which holds a baby’s attention longer than it would in a simple adult-style voice.可知，例如，一位妈妈会以夸张的singsong的声音说单词“baby”，这样保持婴儿注意力的时间比用简单的成人式的声音要长。因此，妈妈更喜欢用singsong的声音说话，是因为能吸引孩子注意力。故选C。

4.

主旨大意题。根据最后一段So, baby talk is not just a way of getting involved with infants on a social level—it has important effects on language learning from the very first moments of a newborn’s life.可知，婴儿式的说话不仅仅是社交层面上一种与婴儿打交道的方式，而且从新生儿出生的第一刻起就对语言学习有重要的影响。因此，文章的标题可以是“婴儿式说话能帮婴儿学语言”。故选A。