【正确答案】The Grammar-Translation Method is a method of foreign or second language teaching which uses translation and grammar study as the main teaching and learning activities. The main features are as follows. Grammar is the core of language, and the language materials are arranged according to the grammar system. Grammar is taught deductively. The major practice is translation from and into the target language. The teaching focus is reading and writing. First language is the main medium of instruction. The sentence is the basic unit of language teaching and learning. Language accuracy is emphasized. Advantages: In the Grammar-Translation Method, comparison between two languages helps students to have a better understanding of the meaning of abstract words and complicated sentences. Understanding and manipulating the morphology and syntax develop students’ ability of analyzing and solving problems. Analyzing and writing abilities are well trained because of the literary texts. It makes few demands on teachers although it often creates frustration to students. Disadvantages: It is unnatural method. The natural order of learning a language is listening, speaking, reading, and writing. That is the way a child leans his first language in natural surroundings. But in the grammar translation method, the teaching of second language starts with the teaching of reading. Thus, the learning process is reversed. Exact translation is not always possible. A language is the result of various customs, translation, and modes of behavior of a speech community, and these traditions differ from community to community. There are several lexical items in one language which have no equivalents in another language. It doesn’ t give pattern practice. A person can learn a language only when he internalizes its patterns to the extent that they form his habit. But the grammar translation method does not provide any such practice to the learner of a language. It rather attempts to teach language through rules and not by ues. It overemphasizes on translation and depends too much on the first language. It puts too much stress on reading and writing and neglects listening and speaking. It doesn’ t meet the communicative and practical needs of the students. Memorizing grammar rules and bilingual word lists cannot motivate students to actively communicate in the target language.