It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there
题型：不详难度：来源：
It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it．The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found．
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include ‘‘huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly，the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech．Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings．
But while other words used in the same context，such as ‘‘sorry"’ or‘ ‘what”，vary widely across languages，“huh?” remains unchanged．
The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world，including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language，as well as Italian，Spanish，Dutch and Mandarin Chinese．
They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated．All contained a version of ‘‘huh?”．The word was also found in another 21 languages．While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same．
This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing．For instance，the Japanese for “dog’’ is ‘‘inu”，while the French is‘ ‘chien”．It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?’’ because the sound is quick and simple to form，as well as being easily understood．
The researchers，said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?"’ but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication．They also have an answer for those who claim that ‘‘huh?’’ isn’t a word．They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages．It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make．
小题1:According to researchers，the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of .| A．its important function in communication | | B．its simple and easy sound and spelling | | C．its popularity in every language | | D．its stable meaning in language development |
小题2:If you hear someone you’re speaking to say “huh?”, what should you do?| A．You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice． | | B．You should invite her to share her different views politely． | | C．You should try to say what you’ve just said again in a clearer way． | | D．You should ask her to repeat what she says before that. |
小题3:The main method used in the research of “huh?” was_____________．| A．comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages | | B．interviewing language experts in universities | | C．talking with people from ten different countries | | D．analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages |
小题4: According to researchers，‘‘huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because __________ .| A．it is pronounced quite differently around the world | | B．it is something humans learn to say | | C．there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word | | D．it is listed in most dictionaries |
|
答案
小题1:A
小题2:C
小题3:D
小题4:B |
解析
本文主要讲述了在不同的语言中都用诸如huh这样的词，研究人员对不同语言中的这样的词接下来分析研究，发现这些词都有相近的用法。
小题1:A
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第二段最后2行Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings可知如果没有这些单词，我们就无法理解别人所说的话也会导致误解。说明这些单词在交流中是非常重要的。故A正确。
小题2:C
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第五段1,2行They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated．可知当你请求对方再次重复所讲内容的时候，可以使用这些词。也就是说当你听见这些词的时候，你要把自己说过的话更清楚地再说一遍。故C项正确。
小题3:D
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章4,5段第一句The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world和They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?”可知研究人员仔细研究全世界的十种语言，对每种语言中的huh这样的词的对话进行了分析。所以他们使用的是分析使用了这些词的对话。故D正确。
小题4:B
【试题解析】细节题。根据文章最后两句It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make．可知研究人员认为这是一个词，而不是一个简短的声音。我们要学习这个词所表达的含义。故B正确。
【长难句解析】
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include ‘‘huh?”, or something that sounds very like it.
【翻译】研究人员发现从加纳、老挝到冰岛和意大利的语言里都含有‘‘huh?”或者听起来像它的词。
【分析】本句中的动词discover后面含有that引导的宾语从句，宾语从句中含有过去分词短语spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy修饰名词languages。同时在后面句子含有另外一个定语从句that sounds very like it修饰先行词something, 关系代词that在这个定语从句中做主语。 |
举一反三
Do you scream on a roller coaster ride? You slowly climb up a steep slope until an almost vertical(垂直的) drop, and then... Ahhhhhhhh! Thrill-seekers like me are in luck because theme parks are pushing the boundaries of technology to create the fastest, tallest, scariest roller coasters the world has ever known.
Alton Towers in Britain opened the world"s first 14-1oop roller coaster a few months ago, called The Smiler. Over in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World claims to have the world"s fastest one. Ferrari World"s Formula Rossa ride sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4. 9 seconds. During this rapid acceleration they experience G-forces only fighter pilots usually feel: Up to 4. 8G. The designer of several rides at Alton Towers, said: "While we can stand 6-8Gs for very short periods of time, ff we experience 5G for more than five seconds we"re likely to "black out."
On modern roller coasters passengers experience about 3G in tight turns and loops. But while we may have reached the limit in terms of G-forces, there is no technological limit to how fast or how high roller coasters can go---it"s all down to money. Alton Towers" The Smiler cost ~18m to build.
Some companies are finding other ways to keep us amused. There"s a move towards indoor rides where the experience is improved by audio-visual technologies. For example, a company called Dynamic Structures is currently developing a "coal-mine-themed" ride for a client in Dubai that will combine speed and G-forces with 3D projection effects and robotics, which will trick your brain into thinking you"re really falling.
I can"t wait to enjoy this one. What about you: Do you like being upside down?
小题1:The underlined phrase "black out" in the second paragraph probably means .... .| A．stop breathing | B．lose consciousness for a short time | | C．lose memory forever | D．bleed to death |
小题2: We can learn from the passage that __| A．all the theme parks are creating the fast roller coasters | | B．the Smiler sends out passengers from 0-240km/h in just 4.9 seconds | | C．it is unusual for fighter pilots to feel up to 4.8G | | D．the more the money is spent, the faster the roller coaster can go |
小题3: The feature of the "coal-mine-themed" ride is| A．3Dtechnologies | B．indoor rides | C．G-forces | D．dynamic structures |
小题4: What is the best title for the passage?| A．The Fastest Roller Coaster | B．The Smiler and G-forces | | C．Screaming for Fun | D．The New Technology |
|
Should we allow modern buildings to‑ be built next to older buildings in a historic area of a city? In order to answer this question, we must first examine whether people really want to preserve the historic feel of an area. Not all historical buildings are attractive. However, there may be other reasons for example, economic (经济的) reasons-why they should be preserved. So, let us assume that historical buildings are both attractive and important to the majority of people. What should we do then if a new building is needed?
In my view, new architectural styles can exist perfectly well alongside an older style. Indeed, there are many examples in my own home town of Tours where modern designs have been placed very successfully next to old buildings. As long as the building in question is pleasing and does not dominate (影响) its surroundings too much, it often improves the attractiveness of the area.
It is true that there are examples of new buildings which have spoilt (破坏) the area they are in, but the same can be said of some old buildings too. Yet people still speak against new buildings in historic areas. I think this is simply because people are naturally conservative(保守的)and do not like change.
Although we have to respect people"s feelings as fellow users of the buildings, I believe that it is the duty of the architect and planner to move things forward . If we always reproduced what was there before,we would all still be living in caves . Thus , I would argue against copying previous architectural styles and choose something fresh and different , even though that might be the more risky choice.
小题1:What does the author say about historical buildings in the first paragraph?| A．Some of them are not attractive. | | B．Most of them ate too expensive to preserve. | | C．They are more pleasing than modern buildings. | | D．They have nothing to do with the historic feel of an area. |
小题2:Which of the following is true according to the author ?| A．We should reproduce the same old buildings. | | B．Buildings should not dominate their surroundings. | | C．Some old buildings have spoilt the area they are in. | | D．No one understands why people speak against new buildings. |
小题3:By “move things forward ” in the last paragraph , the author probably means“ ”| A．Destroy old buildings | | B．Put things in a different place | | C．Choose new architectural styles | | D．Respect people’s feelings for historical buildings |
小题4:What is the main purpose of the passage?| A．To explain why people dislike change. | | B．To warn that we could end up living in caves. | | C．To admit how new buildings have ruined their surroundings. | | D．To argue that modern buildings can be built in historic areas. |
|
Walt Disney is credited for creating such wonderful things as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. However, he cannot take the credit for creating other well-loved characters, such as Cinderella and Snow White. They are almost automatically associated with Disney because Disney turned old fables(寓言) into cartoon movies.
The original Cinderella varies very much from the Disney version we know today. It started off with the girl mourning her mother’s death and going to her tomb three times a day. In addition, there were only birds that helped Cinderella; there was no such thing as a fairy godmother or helpful mice, nor was there mention of a horse and carriage.
The stepsisters were cruel: they always threw Cinderella’s food into the ashes of the fire and made her sleep on the ashes on the floor, hence（因此）her name.
In the original story, the king’s ball actually lasted for three days. With the help of the birds, the girl, beautifully dressed, danced with the prince on all three nights and the prince fell in love with her. However, she broke away from him to rush back home each night. On the last night, the prince placed soothing sticky on the stairs; as Cinderella made her escape, a shoe got stuck on it.
Here now is where the story becomes unpleasant: when the prince went to the house looking for the girl whose foot fit the shoe, the wicked(邪恶的) stepmother told one of her two daughters to cut off her big toe to fit into the shoe. The daughter did as told. So the prince took her away to be his bride. But when they passed the tomb of Cinderella’s mother, the birds called out to the prince,
“Turn and peep, there’s blood in the shoe;
the shoe is too small, the true bride waits for you.”
Realizing he had been tricked, the prince returned the daughter to her mother. The other then had to cut off part of her heel in order to fit into the shoe, with the same result. Only Cinderella’s foot fit perfectly and so the prince chose to marry her. The story ends with the wedding day: as Cinderella’s two stepsisters followed her, pretending to be devoted to her so that they could enjoy the king’s riches, two birds flew by and plucked(啄) out their eyes. Because of their wickedness and falsehood, they had to spend the rest of their days blind.
The original Cinderella is so different from the Disney version. Thank goodness Disney made such changes; it indeed was a wise move.
小题1:What dose the underlined word “They” in the first paragraph refer to?| A．Such wonderful things. | | B．Other well-loved characters. | | C．Old fables. | | D．Cartoon movies. |
小题2:How did Cinderella get her name?| A．The Birds came up with it. | | B．It was given by Disney. | | C．It came from the word “ash”. | | D．She got it from her mother. |
小题3:Which of the following is TRUE according to the original story?| A．Helpful mice got Cinderella a beautiful dress. | | B．The ball was held to celebrate the prince’s wedding. | | C．Cinderella left her shoe on the stairs on purpose. | | D．The birds told the prince that he had been cheated. |
小题4:The moral of the original story is that ____________.| A．a wicked person cannot escape punishment. | | B．a devoted person certainly deserves respect. | | C．a well-behaved child earns a great reward. | | D．a dishonest child cannot get mother love. |
小题5:What does the author think of the Disney version?| A．Excellent. | B．Ordinary | C．Dull. | D．Ridiculous. |
|
One of the latest trend（趋势） in American Childcare is Chinese au pairs. Au Pair in Stamford, for example, has got increasing numbers of request for Chinese au pairs from aero to around 4,000 since 2004. And that’s true all across the country.
“I thought it would be useful for him to learn Chinese at an early age” Joseph Stocke, the managing director of s company, says of his 2-year old son. “I would at least like to give him the chance to use the language in the future,” After only six months of being cared by 25-year-old woman from China, the boy can already understand basic Chinese daily expressions, his dad says.
Li Drake, a Chinese native raising two children in Minnesota with an American husband, had another reason for looking for an au pair from China. She didn’t want her children to miss out on their roots.” Because I am Chinese, my husband and I wanted the children to keep exposed to(接触) the language and culture.” she says.
“Staying with a native speaker is better for children than simply sitting in a classroom,” says Suzanne Flynn, a professor in language education of Children.”But parents must understand that just one year with au pair is unlikely to produce wonders. Complete mastery demands continued learning until the age of 10 or 12.”
The popularity if au pairs from china has been strengthened by the increasing numbers of American parents who want their children who want their children to learn Chinese. It is expected that American demand for au pairs will continue to rise in the next few years.
小题1:What does that term” au pair” in the text mean?| A．A mother raising her children on her own | | B．A child learning a foreign language at home | | C．A professor in language education of children | | D．A young foreign woman taking care of children. |
小题2:Li Drake has her children study Chinese because she wants them ______.| A．to live in China some day | | B．to speak the language at home | | C．to catch up wit other children | | D．to learn about the Chinese culture |
小题3:What can we infer from the text?| A．Learning Chinese is becoming popular In America, | | B．Educated woman do better in looking after children | | C．Chinese au pairs need to improve their English Skills. | | D．Children can learn a foreign language well in six months. |
|
London’s newest skyscraper (摩天大楼)is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build. At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe. The Shard has completely changed the appearance of London. However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.
The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶)• He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin，sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard. Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆）of the ships that were once on the river Thames.
The Shard has 87 floors. At the top, there is an observatory. At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five-star hotel. There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.
Before building work began, a lot of people didn’t want the Shard though the plans were approved. Now they are still unhappy about the Shard. Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city like New York, but not in London. They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape. But that is the only thing. There is no decoration, only flat surfaces. The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago. They also think the Shard is too big for London. It destroys the beauty of the city.
Other critics don’t like what the Shard seems to represent. They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London. So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.
The Shard now dominates the London skyline. It is not certain, however, that ordinary London citizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.
小题1:London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ._____
A. its cost
B its size
C .its shape
D .its height
小题2:When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to ._____| A．change London’s skyline | | B．inherit London’s tradition | | C．imitate the Egyptian style | | D．attract potential visitors |
小题3:The critics who refer to social division think the Shard_______ .| A．is only preferred by the rich | | B．is intended for wealthy people | | C．is far away from the poor area | | D．is popular only with Londoners |
小题4:Which would be the best title for the passage?| A．The Shard: Cheers and Claps | | B．The Shard: Work of a Great Architect | | C．The Shard: New Symbol of London? | | D．The Shard: A Change for the Better? |
|
最新试题
热门考点