单选题They reached a(n) ______ to keep their dispute out of the mass media. A. understanding B. acknowledgement C. limitations D. misgivings

单选题{{B}}Passage 4{{/B}} Linguists have understood for decades that language and thought are closely related. Humans construct reality using thought and express these thoughts through the use of language. Edward Sapir and his student Benjamin Whorl are credited with developing the most relevant explanation outlining the relationship between thought and language, the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis. The hypothesis consists of two parts, linguistic relativity and linguistic determinism. Supporters of linguistic relativity assume that culture is shaped by language. Terwilliger defines linguistic determinism as the process by which "the functions of one's mind are determined by the nature of the language which one speaks." In simpler terms, the thoughts that we construct are based upon the language that we speak and the words that we use. In its strongest sense, linguistic determinism can be interpreted as meaning that language determines thought. In its weakest sense, language partially influences thought. Whorl was careful to avoid authoritative statements which would permanently commit him to particular position. Because of the broad nature of his statements, it is difficult to distinguish exactly to what extent Whorf believes that language determines thought. Heated debate among modern linguists demonstrates that disagreement exists about the accuracy and correctness of Whorf's studies and of the actual level of influence of language on thought processes. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis essentially consists of two distinct statements connecting the relation of thought and language. Whorf believes that humans may be able to think only about objects, processes, and conditions that have language associated with them. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis also explains the relationship between different languages (French, English, German, Chinese, and so on) and thought. Whorl demonstrated that culture is largely determined by language. Different cultures perceive the world in different ways. Culturally essential objects, conditions and processes usually are defined by a plethora of words, while things that cultures perceive as unimportant are usually assigned one or two words. Whorf developed this theory while studying the Hopi Indian tribe. Whorl was amazed that the Hopi language has no words for past, present, and future. The Hopi have only one word for flying objects. A dragonfly, an airplane, and a pilot are defined using the same word. Whorl questioned whether or not the Hopi view the world differently than western peoples. After further interpretation and analysis he concluded that the Hopi have a sense for the continuum of time despite having no words to specifically describe past, present, and future. It is commonly believed that the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis possesses some truth, but the extent to which it is applicable to all situations is questioned. Linguists generally sup port a "strong" or a "weak" interpretation. Linguists who study the hypothesis tend to cite examples that support their beliefs but are unable or unwilling to refute the opposing arguments. Examples exist that strengthen the arguments of everyone who studies the hypothesis. Nobody has gained significant ground in proving or refuting the hypothesis because the definitions of Sapir and Whorl are very vague and incomplete, leaving room for a significant amount of interpretation.

单选题Flax has been raised for many thousands of years, for many different reasons. Probably the two most important reasons are for the fabric made from it and the oil produced from it. The woody stem of the flax plant contains the long, strong fibers that are used to make linen. The seeds are rich in an oil important for its industrial uses. The people of ancient Egypt, Assyria, and Mesopotamia raised flax for cloth; Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen. Since the discovery of its drying ability, the oil from flaxseed, called linseed oil, has been used as a drying agent in paints and varnishes. The best fiber and the best seed cannot be obtained from the same kinds of plant. Fiber flax grows tall and has few branches. It needs a short, cool growing season with plenty of rainfall evenly distributed. Otherwise, the plants become woody and the fiber is rough and dry. On the other hand, seed flax grows well in places that are too dry for fiber flax. The plants are lower to the ground and have more branches.

单选题What started the public and Confessional concern about deceptive packaging rumpus?

单选题We need to make sure that we ______ our resources as fully as possible. A. use B. exploit C. employ D. explore

单选题If his father could not keep up the payments on the mortgage, his uncle might ______ it for him. A. redeem B. amend C. resemble D. appeal

单选题Brass concert music was ______ to a new level in the 1880s when John Philip Sonsa took over the U.S. Marine Band.

单选题The integration of staff for training has led to a good exchange of ideas, greater enthusiasm, and higher staff A．moral B．mortal C．morale D．mores

单选题James's first novels used conventional narrative techniques: explicit characterization, action which related events in distinctly phased sequences, settings firmly outlined and specifically described. But this method gradually gave way to a subtler, more deliberate, more diffuse style of accumulation of minutely discriminated details whose total significance the reader can grasp only by constant attention and sensitive inference. His later novels play down scenes of abrupt and prominent action, and do not so much offer a succession of sharp shocks as slow piecemeal additions of perception. The curtain is not suddenly drawn back from shrouded things, but is slowly moved away. Such a technique is suited to James's essential subject, which is not human action itself but the states of mind which produce and are produced by human actions and interactions. James was less interested in what characters do, than in the moral and psychological antecedents, realizations, and consequences which attend their doings. This is why he more often speaks of "eases" than of actions. His stories, therefore, grow more and more lengthy while the actions they relate grow simpler and less visible; not because they are crammed with adventitious and secondary events, digressive relief, or supernumerary characters, as overstuffed novels of action are; but because he presents in such exhaustive detail every nuance of his situation. Commonly the interest of a novel is in the variety and excitement of visible actions building up to a climatic event which will settle the outward destinies of characters with story-book promise of permanence. A James novel, however, possesses its characteristic interest in carrying the reader through a rich analysis of the mental adjustments of characters to the realities of their personal situations as they are slowly revealed to them through exploration and chance discovery.

单选题The spokes in a bicycle wheel are arranged in a ______ pattern.

单选题The golden rule for good writing is not a rule of grammar. It is true that there are rules of grammar, as in music there are rules of harmony, and that they are important, but one can no more write good English merely by keeping these rules than one can compose good music. The golden rule for good writing concerns not merely the arrangement of words but the choice of them. Only the right words can convey the right meaning: the secret is to pick those words and to use them and them only. For the "right" words have a happy knack (a clever way) of arranging themselves for you. But, first, you must have something to say. Matthew Arnold once said: "Have something to say and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret of style." There is much truth in those words, especially in relation to the sort of writing where emotional appeal plays no part. We can turn to the member of the General Post Office who, by composing the notice "Postal officials are neither bound to give change nor authorized to demand it." used thirteen words hardly less efficiently to warn customers of what must have been as intractable (difficult to deal with) dilemma. Every word is exactly right; no other word would do as well; each is pulling its weight: none would be dispensed with. As was said of Milton' s prose. "Fewer words would not have served the turn, more would have been superfluous./

单选题He ______ us as consistently fair and accurate about the issues we are concerned about. A. confuses B. regards C. strikes D. knocks

单选题In minutes he has taken over the whole ______, lying under the sink and squinting (眯眼看) up into the machinery.

单选题Since any answer was likely to cause embarrassment to his party, the politician tried to ______ the question.(2002年厦门大学考博试题)

单选题We are totally unable, after decades of experiment, to replicate ancient glazed pottery. A. produce B. manufacture C. dramatize D. duplicate

单选题A plow is a farm ______ used to break the soil before seeds are planted. [A] instrument [B] appliance [C] device [D] implement

单选题There are many benefits to using online distance learning environments. Online education is available any place, any time for global communities of learners based on shared interests. Online education with its group-based instruction and computer mediated communication provides an opportunity for new development and understanding in teaching and learning. Computer mediated communication encourages collaborative learning by not providing cues regarding appearance, race, gender, education, or social status, bestowing a sort of anonymity to participants. Distance also permits the expression of emotion (both positive and negative) and promotes discussion that normally would be inhibited. Yet, this same text-based positive aspect of online learning makes online education more cumbersome and therefore takes more time than face-to-face learning. In addition, the sheer bulk of messages can be overwhelming. The learner 0nly has the written text and no other non-verbal cues. This may confuse the learner and cause misunderstanding. Some students are not willing to take the time to go in and look up homework assignments and other online learning activities. ESL students shy away from online classes. They have expressed fear of having their work, viewed by others. In the road to dotcom in education, educators "have to slow down from their busy lives to be free to focus first on connecting with learners and connecting them to learning before they end up feeling like they are no longer using technology, but are being used by it". There is pressure to keep up with the times as well as "a cost-of-entry issue regarding technology in education. Without a certain level of technology services and learning options, many students will not consider attending a certain institution". Mark Milliron claims that "any technology has to prove that it will ultimately improve or expand learning". This will come about if educators "slow down, look around, and get on the road to dotcom—a place to thoughtfully engage and explore all aspects of technology, good, bad, or indifferent... A place with mindful focus on the people and passions that make life worth living". Should online learning be an issue of control or should students be convinced of its value as an authentic learning tool? Fear and a threatening environment don't enhance learning according to brain-based learning research. "How students feel about a learning situation determines the amount of attention they devote to it." "Positive emotions ensure that learning will be retained." It's very. important to discuss with students how they feel about technology and online learning so that they feel good about what they are doing. The process of implementing online distance learning is a slow and delicate one. Change will eventually come about but it will take time.

单选题"Gangnam Style", the ______ popular song from South Korean recording artist PSY has just become the most watched video on YouTube ever.