分类往年试卷问答题[1]

2003年-2010年1月问答题汇总Instructions：Write shot notes according to what you have learned in the course.1. There are, at present, between 4,000 and 5,000 languages in use in the world. Why is a more exact number not possible? Please list at least four reasons. （2010.01，2004.07）Because the number depends on what is considered a dialect and what is considered a living language and/ or dead language. Also new languages are developing daily throughout the world and keeping track of every one is impossible.2．Name at least five national languages mentioned in the textbook. （2003.07）Norwegian，Danish，Swedish，Dutch，Japanese，German，English.3．Started as the variety used in South East England，Standard English is now understood and used worldwide. Can you explain what is meant by Standard English？（2008.01, 2006.07，2003.07）Standard English refers to the English of writing or written English. It includes the grammar，the lexicon and the discourse of English. It had high reputation or prestige. It can be spoken with a variety of accents—British or American or Australian accents，etc。

It is the English of education，of official and government use，and of the news media.4. If someone says that a particular language is harsh or ugly, then that’s an expression of his or her taste. Explain why. （2004.01,2007.07）This can only ever be an opinion, not a fact, because all languages are equal. They all deserve respect. All languages must be taken seriously and all languages serve perfectly well the purposes of those who use them. Some think a primitive language is a particular language, which has no grammar. In fact some of the languages spoken by people whose societies and ways of living are primitive, have specially complicated languages. So if someone says that a particular language is harsh or ugly, then that’s an expression of his or her taste.5．When people say that one variety has more prestige than another, what do they mean? （2006.07，2003.07）They mean that the variety is connected with speakers who have wealth, education, power and all that goes with those things.6. What can you tell about a speaker of a poor, uneducated social variety that you cannot tell about a speaker of a high class, educated social variety? （2005.01）( the words do not have to be the same but the same meaning must be obvious)Y ou can tell what region someone who uses the English of the poorer and the less well educated comes from. The way the better-off use English tells you little or nothing about where that person was born.7. Explain how social and regional varieties are connected. （2005.07）Social and regional varieties are connected. Y ou can tell what region someone who uses the English of the poorer and the less well-educated comes form. The way the better-off use Englishtells you little or nothing about where that person was born.8. Pidgins are makeshift languages, and the evidence of human inventiveness. Please list at least four of their characteristics. （2010.01，2005.07）(1)Pidgins are languages for a very narrow range of purposes.(2) most pidgins are mixtures of Asian or African languages and those of major European trading nations.(3)Pidgin is a language used only for purposes of trade.(4)There are different pidgins in different places in the world.(5) Pidgins change rapidly and don’t last long. They are unstable.(6)Pidgins, over time, become useful languages as they are adopted by groups of people and become Creoles.(7)Pidgins have no written form only an oral form.9. Artificial languages, even Esperanto, have never rivaled English as an International language. Why are they not more successful? Please list at least three reasons. （2005.01）a)Artificial languages based on European languages may he easy {or Europeans to learn but not for anyone else.b)Where there are no native speakers, who decides on what is and isn’t correct?c)Users of artificial languages will produce the sounds in the way that is natural to them. Users from other language groups may not be able to understand them..d)The Grot learners of an artificial language can have no real books or newspapers to read.e)The first learners will have only other learners to talk to, so they will improve only slowly.F)Who will teach the first learners?10. Name three countries where New Englishes have emerged; Give a major reason why this language form has occurred. （2009.07）(A ward a maximum of 10 points for the following, 2 points for each correct idea expressed)(1) Any three of the following: Singapore; Hong Kong; Nigeria; Malaysia; India(2) (ⅰ) These New Englishes emerged as a result of the influence of British colonization when English was introduced as a major language. (ⅱ)Local people used English and adapted and transformed it through the grammatical rules and structures governing their local language.11. What are advantages and disadvantages of teaching a local standard English? （2007.01）Advantages of teaching a local standard English:(1) they are easier and quicker to learn;(2)They are useful where there are many languages in use in a country and no common language;(3)only the minority of people needs a language for international use.Disadvantages of teaching a local standard English:Local standards change quickly and are not well regarded internationally;If they are used internationally, they don’t do justice to the users of Standard English;Local standards are emerging and changing, for this reason there may not be enough suitable teachers of teaching materials.12. Give three reasons to explain why English is currently the language of science. （2005.07）Since the Second World War, our world has changed profoundly, and so has our idea of the world. Science has been the driving force for change. Science and technology cannot do without symbolic systems. They are necessary for thinking and for sharing and recording the results of thinking. Language is symbolic systems – but not the only ones. By the mid-century English was already established as an international language. English had been used for the purposes of exchanging information, writing papers to be published in journals and presented at the international conferences, etc. and their readers will have a vast, and detailed, and highly specialized body of shared knowledge. Understanding of the English they write depends on that shared information and experiences.13. Please explain the style of science English. (2009.01, 2008.07, 2007.07)1)Science English is difficult for the ordinary users of English.2)The style is remote and impersonal.3)The topic of the sentences are very often abstract.4)The passive voice is used very frequently.5)The style makes people feel they are looked down by the writer.6)The writers assume large areas of shared knowledge.14. What does the term “a shrinking world” refer to? Whose world is smaller and more accessible? （2004.07）The term ―a shrinking world‖ refers to the world of communication and travel. Communication media, such as the Internet and telecommunications have caused the world to shrink in terms of time and distance. International air travel has had a similar effect on individuals. However the number of people who have access to those forms of rapid communication is unevenly distributed throughout the world and appears to be available only to rich and privileged individuals and people in developed societies. The development of rapid communication has brought benefits, but it has also created problems and difficulties.15. What is the position of English in a shrinking world? Give historical reasons for its present position.（2006.07）For historical reasons English has gained its dominant position since the 16th century. (2 points) (4 points, one point each)English belongs to the Germanic group of Indo-European languages. It was the national language of England then. Later, it was taken to the United States by the early explorers and settlers. (1 point)After the US became independent from the British rule, English was made the national language for the new country and the expansion of British rule in many countries make it a language of administration across the world. (1 point)English was the language of power, privilege and opportunity under British rule. (1 point)As a result, English has become a language of science and technology, of international business, and of many enterprises across national borders since WWII.16. Name five approaches to ELT methodology. （2009.07，2008.07, 2007.01，2004.01）(1) ELT based on English literature and culture;(2) Pattern practice;(3) Language Lab Practice;(4) V ocabulary for everyday use;(5) Language teaching based on psychology and linguistics;(6) A communicative approach to ELT;(7) Error Analysis;(8) English for Specific Purpose.17. There are differences in American and British English spellings. Can you give 5 examples? (2008.01)British English American Englishcentre centertheatre theaterlitre litermetre meterprogramme programlabour laboranalogue analogtyre tireaeroplane airplaneencyclopaedia encyclopedia18. There are many ways in which English learns from other languages through borrowing. Please complete the following table.( 2009.01)Acronym/ abbreviation: WTO; ROM; MTR; OK, BBC (any three are correct)Borrowed by translation: Dragon-boat; The Fragrance Hill (香山)Borrowed by pronunciation: Kongfu, dim sum, Fung ShuiOld words with new meanings: Windows, keys, mouse, menuInvented words: informania, edutainmentThere are many ways in which English learns from other language s through borrowing. Please list three (3) of them and give two examples for each. （2005.01）( Any three of them are correct. ) 6 points: I point for each way / 0. 5 points for each correct example (maximum two examples for each )l)Acronym /abbreviation: WTO; OPEC , ROM , MTR, OK , BBC2)Borrowed by translation: Dragon-boat; white-cloud mountain3)Borrowed hr pronunciation: kongfu, dim sum , pak choi4)Old words with new meanings: monitor; window; keys; mouse, menu5)Invented words: informania, edutainment19. Interpret the following fax message：（2004.07）Attn：Wang XionghongEtd shipment qty 200 pcs fine crockery 2.00 pm Shanghai。