【正确答案】正确答案：Structuralism is based on the assumption that grammatical categories should be defined not in terms of meaning but in terms of distribution, and that the structure of each language should be described without reference to the alleged universality of such categories as tense, mood and parts of speech.(1.5 points) Firstly, structural grammar describes everything that is found in a language instead of laying down rules.(1.5 points) Secondly, structural grammar is empirical, aiming at objectivity in the sense that all definitions and statements should be verifiable or refutable.(1.5 points) Thirdly, structural grammar examines all languages, recognizing and doing justice to the uniqueness of each language.(1.5 points) Lastly, structural grammar describes even the smallest contrasts that underlie any construction or use of language, not only those discoverable in some particular use.(1.5 points)

【答案解析】解析：考查美国结构主义的特征。结构主义基于以下假设：语法范畴应该通过分布而非意义来定义，并且描写任何一种语言的结构都不应该涉及诸如时态、语气和词性等所谓的普遍性。第一，结构主义语法只描写语言中所发现的一切，而不是特定的规则。第二，结构主义语法是经验主义的，非常注重客观性，认为所有的定义和表述要么是可证实的，要么是可证伪的。第三，结构主义语法考查所有的语言，认可并且公正对待每种语言的独特性，但却没有充分对待意义。第四，结构主义语法不仅描写了语言的特殊用法，还阐述了语言结构或语言现象后面存在的最小差别。