We do not usually think about how our language works. Talking is such a natural,
everyday activity that we do not often stop to consider how it actually works. When we do study our language, though,we are often surprised that we are able to understand our conversations.Words can mean so many different things. However, it turns out that the speaking situation helps a lot in making language work.
First, the speaking situation helps make words more particular. For example, the word“dog”can describe a dog that a speaker saw in a dream. It can also be used to discuss a neighbor’s dog. No language has a separate word for the idea “dog that I saw yesterday” and another word for the idea “dog that I saw in a dream”.This is because the speaking situation makes it clear what speakers mean when they use words. So, when you have a conversation with your neighbor, the knowledge that you have a dog tells your neighbor what the word “dog” probably means in that situation.
The speaking situation also helps make language clearer. For example, the word “bank” has two possible meanings. It can mean “a place where people keep money”,but it can also mean “the side of a river”.So the sentence “I went to the bank” is not clear. It could mean “I went to the side of the river” or it could mean “I went to the place where my money is kept”.However, if the speaker is talking about fishing or going to the mountains, others probably know that “bank” means “the side of a river”.
The things that speakers say may not always be clear. Sometimes the words are not very particular, but the speaking situation can provide the meaning. Other times words may have many meanings. Then the speaking situation limits the right meaning. This extra knowledge from the situation is very important to understand language.
1.The passage is mainly about .
A.the best time and place to talk to others
B.how speaking situation helps language work
C.what to say in difficult situations
D.how our language works
2.According to the passage, we can safely say that .
A.a speaking situation does not affect the meaning of words
B.speaking is not very natural for most people
C.a speaking situation is not important
D.people often do not consider how talking works
3.By using the example of the word “dog”, the writer wants to show that .
A.a word may need to be explained in a conversation
B.a word may have different meanings
C.speaking situation helps people understand the particular meaning of a word
D.the meaning of words is not particular
4.According to the passage, we can know the meaning of the word “bank” by referring to .
A.the time and the place where the conversation happens
B.the occupation of the person who uses the word
C.earlier or later parts of the conversation
D.a reliable dictionary
语篇解读:本文讲述了语境对语言的理解起着很大作用。
答案及剖析:
1.B 主旨大意题。本文讲述了语境对语言的理解起着很大作用,故选B。
2.D 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“We do not usually think about how our language works.Talking is such a natural, everyday activity that we do not often stop to consider how it actually works.”可知,选D。
3.C 推理判断题。根据第二段的第一句话“First,the speaking situation helps make words more particular.”和下文的“For example”可知,下文正是用dog一词举例来论证第二段的第一句话,故选C。
4.C 细节理解题。根据第三段所讲,作者用bank一词举例说明对话中这个词之前或之后的部分决定了这个词的含义,故选C。
