Question

    From linguists’ point of view, grammar is a set of patterns for how words are put together to form phrases or clauses, whether in spoken or written. Different languages have different patterns. Some scholars have tried to identify patterns common to all languages. But apart from some basic features, few of these so-called linguistic universals have been found.

The study of these patterns open up “an ongoing debate” between two positions, known as prescriptivism and descriptivism. Prescriptivism thinks a given language should follow consistent rules, while descriptivism sees variation and adaptation as a natural and necessary part of language.

Language purists(纯化论者) worked to establish and promote this standard by detailing a set of rules that reflected the established grammar of their times. And rules for written grammar were applied to spoken language as well. Speech patterns that deviated from the written rules were considered signs of low social status. And many people who are grown-ups speaking in these ways were forced to adopt the standardized form.

More recently, however, linguists have understood that speech is a separate phenomenon from writing with its own regularities and patterns.We form our spoken skills through unconscious habits, not memorized rules. And because speech also uses mood and intonation for meaning, its structure is often more flexible, adapting to the needs of speakers and listeners. This could mean avoiding complex clauses that are hard to understand in real time, making changes to avoid awkward pronunciation or removing sounds to make speech faster.

But while the debate between prescriptivism and descriptivism continues, the two are not mutually exclusive. Like language itself, it’s a wonderful and complex fabric woven through the contributions of speakers and listeners, writers and readers, prescriptivists and descriptivists from both near and far.

1.What does the underlined word“deviated”in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A.copied B.updated C.differed D.originated

2.According to the passage, prescriptivism____________.

A.focuses on established language patterns B.accepts the differences between languages

C.follows the innovations in language patterns D.attaches more importance to written language

3.What is Paragraph 4 mainly about?

A.A new understanding of language. B.The beliefs held by prescriptivists.

C.The impact of grammar on language. D.The ongoing debate between linguists.

4.Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A.The Importance of Grammar. B.The History of Grammar.

C.Grammar: Rules or Habits. D.Grammar: Writing Rules.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.A

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。介绍了以前对语言模式研究有两大立场——规定主义和描述主义，而最近语言学家提出语言是一种独立于文字的现象，有其自身的规律和模式，我们通过无意识的习惯而不是记忆规则来形成语言技能。

1.

词义猜测题。根据后文And many people who are grown-ups speaking in these ways were forced to adopt the standardized form.可知许多用这种方式说话的成年人被迫采用标准化的形式。这是前一句的结果，由此可知，不同于书面规则的说话方式被认为是社会地位低下的标志。故划线单词意思为“不同”。A. copied复制；B. updated更新；C. differed使……不同；D. originated起源。故选C。

2.

细节理解题。根据第二段中Prescriptivism thinks a given language should follow consistent rules, while descriptivism sees variation and adaptation as a natural and necessary part of language.可知规定主义认为特定的语言应该遵循一致的规则，而描述主义则认为变异和顺应是语言的自然和必要的组成部分。由此可知，规定主义专注于既定的语言模式。故选A。

3.

主旨大意题。根据第四段More recently, however, linguists have understood that speech is a separate phenomenon from writing with its own regularities and patterns. We form our spoken skills through unconscious habits, not memorized rules. And because speech also uses mood and intonation for meaning, its structure is often more flexible, adapting to the needs of speakers and listeners. This could mean avoiding complex clauses that are hard to understand in real time, making changes to avoid awkward pronunciation or removing sounds to make speech faster.可知然而，最近语言学家已经明白，说话是一种独立于书写的现象，有其自身的规律和模式。我们通过无意识的习惯，而不是记忆规则来形成口语技能。而且，由于讲话也使用语气和语调来表达意思，它的结构往往更加灵活，以适应说话人和听众的需要。这可能意味着要避免复杂的从句，因为这些从句很难实时理解，要做出改变，以避免尴尬的发音，或消除声音，以提高讲话速度。由此可知，本段主要讲的是不同于规定主义和描述主义的、新的对语言模式的理解，即第四段的主要内容是对语言有了新的理解。故选A。

4.

主旨大意题。根据第一段From linguists’ point of view, grammar is a set of patterns for how words are put together to form phrases or clauses, whether in spoken or written. Different languages have different patterns. Some scholars have tried to identify patterns common to all languages. But apart from some basic features, few of these so-called linguistic universals have been found.可知从语言学家的观点来看，语法是一套模式，无论在口语还是书面语中，词汇如何组合成短语或从句。不同的语言有不同的模式。一些学者试图找出所有语言的共同模式。但除了一些基本特征外，这些所谓的语言共性很少被发现。结合文章介绍了以前对语言模式研究有两大立场——规定主义和描述主义，而最近语言学家提出语言是一种独立于文字的现象，有其自身的规律和模式，我们通过无意识的习惯而不是记忆规则来形成语言技能。由此可知，C选项“语法：规则或习惯”最符合文章标题。故选C。