单选题
{{I}}Questions 14 - 17 are based on the following passage about "Artificial Languages". You now have 20 seconds to read the questions 14 - 17.{{/I}}
单选题
Why did the artificial languages appear?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析]文中前面部分提到...each in the hope that it might eventually become a universal tongue.这样可以看出 artificial languages 出现的真正的原因是它有可能最终成为一种世界性的语言。
单选题
When did the first artificial language appear?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析]文中提到 The first attempt at an artificial language was Volapuk,which appeared at about 1880.除A之外,余下的均是干扰项。
单选题
What are the advantages of artificial languages?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 文中最后部分提到 The great advantage of artificial languages lies in their simplicity and the absence of irregular grammatical forms.这样可以推导出A、B均为正确的选项,而C是 artificial languages 的劣势。
单选题
Many believe that ________ has the best chance of becoming a universal tongue.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[听力原文 14-17]
The term "Artificial Languages" refers to those that have been artificially constructed, each in the hope that it might eventually become a universal tongue. Although a number of such languages have been created, only one, Esperanto, has achieved a significant measure of international recognition.
The first attempt at an artificial language was Volapuk, which appeared at about 1880. Though difficult to learn and as a result short-lived, it did inspire others to attempt a better system. In 1887, L. L. Zamenhof, of Warsaw, Poland, introduced Esperanto, with its greatly simplified grammar and logically constructed vocabulary. Esperanto, meaning "one who hopes", soon developed a large following of dedicated speakers, and later a significant body of literature. Many of the world's literary masterpieces have been translated into Esperanto. Numerous attempts to improve or reform it were in the end abandoned, and today it remains basically the same as designed by Zamenhof.
In the 20th century Occidental and Inter-lingual appeared, but these are designed primarily for scientific and technical use and stress reconcilability rather than active speech. The great advantage of artificial languages lies in their simplicity and the absence of irregular grammatical forms. However, they suffer from the lack of native speakers and national prestige, and in recent years interest in them has generally declined. The tremendous increase in the use and study of English since World War Ⅱ has led many to believe that English, rather than an artificial language, has the best chance of eventually becoming a universal tongue.
[解析]文中最后一句:The tremendous increase in the use and study of English since World War II has led many to be lieve that English...has the best chance of eventually becoming a universal tongue.这样可以选出A而排除其他的选项。