For many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without hearing. These deaf people were not able to use a spoken language.

But, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using the language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language.

How did this sign language work? The deaf were taught to make certain movements using their hands, faces, and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. People might move their forefingers across their lips. This meant, “You are not telling the truth.” They might tap their chins with three fingers. This meant, “my uncle”.

The deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet(字母表). They used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute.

Sign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once were. Today the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are taught how to speak.

1.In the 1700s, the deaf were taught __________.

A. to speak                           B. to watch others

C. a sign language               D. a spoken language

2.The word forefingers in paragraph 3 means__________.

A. the finger next to the thumb (拇指)                B. three fingers

C. a language                                                            D. hands

3.On the whole the story is about __________.

A. how the deaf communicate                                       B. learning to spell

C. teaching the deaf to speak                               D. writing sign languages

4.Which of these sentences do you think is RIGHT?

A.Deaf people draw signs

B.Deaf people can’t use their fingers.

C.Many deaf people now can speak

D.Deaf people speak with their fingers.

 

For many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without hearing. These deaf people were not able to use a spoken language.
But, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using the language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language.
How did this sign language work? The deaf were taught to make certain movements using their hands, faces, and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. People might move their forefingers across their lips. This meant, “You are not telling the truth.” They might tap their chins with three fingers. This meant, “my uncle”.
The deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet(字母表). They used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute.
Sign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once were. Today the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are taught how to speak.
【小题1】In the 1700s, the deaf were taught __________.

A．to speak	B．to watch others
C．a sign language	D．a spoken language

【小题2】The word forefingers in paragraph 3 means__________.

A．the finger next to the thumb (拇指)	B．three fingers
C．a language	D．hands

【小题3】On the whole the story is about __________.

A．how the deaf communicate	B．learning to spell
C．teaching the deaf to speak	D．writing sign languages

【小题4】Which of these sentences do you think is RIGHT?

A．Deaf people draw signs

B．Deaf people can’t use their fingers.

C．Many deaf people now can speak

D．Deaf people speak with their fingers.

There are more than 3000 languages in the world today, but only about ten are major languages of the world. Among them English is the most popular.
More than 350 million people speak English as their first language. Major English-speaking countries are Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Another 400 million speak it as a second language. No one knows how many people speak English as a foreign language. They usually learn English as a school subject instead of learning it from their parents. Chinese is the only language with more speakers than English. This is because of the large population of China.
English is the language for a better understanding between peoples of the world. It is also the language for business and science. Nearly half of the business deals in Europe are done in English, and more than half of the science magazines are in English. English is widely used in the world’s computer network. And children should begin with English when they learn how to use computers. Through the English language peoples of different countries are able to work together and make things even better.
【小题1】English is the most popular language in the world because __________.

A．it has the largest number of speakers	B．it is widely used
C．it is an international language	D．it is a language for world use

【小题2】The world’s computer network takes English as ________.

A．its only language

B．one of the main languages

C．a school subject

D．a foreign language

【小题3】If you wnt to learn how to use computers, you should _________.

A．speak English well first	B．work together with foreigners
C．learn English first	D．make things better

【小题4】If you know English, you’ll be able to _________.

A．do everything better than before

B．understand what people from different countries say

C．read nearly all the science magazines in the world

D．read many science magazines in the world

【小题5】The main difference between first language and second language is _________.
A.first language is important             B.first language is learned from parents
C.second language is learned at school     D.Both C and D.

There are more than 3000 languages in the world today, but only about ten are major languages of the world. Among them English is the most popular.
More than 350 million people speak English as their first language. Major English-speaking countries are Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Another 400 million speak it as a second language. No one knows how many people speak English as a foreign language. They usually learn English as a school subject instead of learning it from their parents. Chinese is the only language with more speakers than English. This is because of the large population of China.
English is the language for a better understanding between peoples of the world. It is also the language for business and science. Nearly half of the business deals in Europe are done in English, and more than half of the science magazines are in English. English is widely used in the world’s computer network. And children should begin with English when they learn how to use computers. Through the English language peoples of different countries are able to work together and make things even better.
【小题1】English is the most popular language in the world because __________.

A．it has the largest number of speakers	B．it is widely used
C．it is an international language	D．it is a language for world use

【小题2】The world’s computer network takes English as ________.

A．its only language

B．one of the main languages

C．a school subject

D．a foreign language

【小题3】If you want to learn how to use computers, you should _________.

A．speak English well first	B．work together with foreigners
C．learn English first	D．make things better

【小题4】If you know English, you’ll be able to _________.

A．do everything better than before

B．understand what people from different countries say

C．read nearly all the science magazines in the world

D．read many science magazines in the world

【小题5】The main difference between first language and second language is _________.
A.first language is important             B.first language is learned from parents
C.second language is learned at school     D.Both C and D.