【正确答案】正确答案：Tones are pitch variations, which are caused by the differing rates of vibration of the vocal cords. Pitch variations can distinguish meaning just like phonemes; therefore, the tone is a suprasegmental feature. The meaning - distinctive function of the tone is especially important in what we call tone languages. English is not a tone language. Chinese is a typical tone language. It has four tones. The first tone is level (阴平) , the second rise(阳平) , the third fall rise(上声) , and the fourth fall (去声). The role of the tone can be well illustrated by pronouncing the same sound combination such as [pa] in the four different tones and have different meanings;(八) High level 'eight'(拔) High rising 'pull out'(靶) Low falling rising 'target'