Ⅰ. 阅读理解
Every day we experience one of the wonders of the world around us without even realizing it. It is not the amazing complexity of television, nor the impressive technology of transport. The universal wonder we share and experience is our ability to make noises with our mouths, and so transmit ideas and thoughts to each other’s minds. This ability comes so naturally that we tend to forget what a miracle it is.
Obviously, the ability to talk is something that marks humans off from animals. Of course, some animals have powers just as amazing. Birds can fly thousands of miles by observing positions of the stars in the sky in relation to the time of day and year. In Nature’s talent show, humans are a species of animal that has developed their own special act. If we reduce it to basic terms, it’s an ability for communicating information to others by varying sounds we make as we breathe out.
Not that we don’t have other powers of communication. Our facial expressions convey our emotions, such as anger, or joy, or disappointment. The way we hold our heads can indicate to others whether we are happy or sad. This is so-called “body language”. Bristling (直立的) fur is an unmistakable warning of attack among many animals. Similarly, the bowed head or drooping tail shows a readiness to take second place in any animal gathering.
Such a means of communication is a basic mechanism that animals, including human beings, instinctively acquire and display. Is the ability to speak just another sort of instinct? If so, how did human beings acquire this amazing skill? Biologists can readily indicate that particular area of our brain where speech mechanisms function, but this doesn’t tell us how that part of our bodies originated in our biological history.
【语篇概述】本文讲述了人类使用语言的能力, 人类与其他动物共有的“身势语”以及动物如何使用“身势语”。
1. According to the passage, the wonder we take for granted is _______.
A. our ability to use language
B. the miracle of technology
C. the amazing power of nature
D. our ability to make noises with mouths
【解析】选A。细节理解题。根据第一段的叙述可知, 我们每天都在用语言交流我们的思想感情, 这是一个奇迹, 但是因其自然流露, 我们完全忽视了它的功能与作用, 想当然地认为就是这个样子。D项有一定干扰性, 但叙述不完全。
2. What does the underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refer to?
A. Nature’s talent show.
B. A species of animal.
C. A special act of humans.
D. Information communicated to others.
【解析】选C。代词指代题。根据语境可知, 此处“it”是就近指代上一句中的“their own special act”, 即“人类所形成的自己的独特的行为”。句意: 如果我们用最简单的词语来概括它的话, 那它是一种通过变化我们呼气时所发出的声音来向别人交流信息的能力。
3. What feature of “body language” mentioned in the passage is common to both humans and animals?
A. Lifting heads when sad.
B. Keeping long faces when angry.
C. Bristling hair when ready to attack.
D. Bowing heads when willing to obey.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第三段中“Similarly, the bowed head or drooping tail shows a readiness to take second place in any animal gathering. ”可知, 俯首是人和动物表示服从时的共同之处。
4. This passage is mainly about _______.
A. the development of body language
B. the special role humans play in nature
C. the power to convey information to others
D. the difference between humans and animals is language use
【解析】选C。主旨大意题。通读全文可知, 本文讲述了人类使用语言的能力、人类与其他动物共有的“身势语”以及动物如何使用“身势语”。总之, 本文讲述了人与动物传达信息的能力。
