How men first learnt to invent words is unknown; in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sound to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, we call words.
The power of words, then, lies in their associations- the things they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they will make our speech silly and dull.
- The origin of language is _______
- a legend handed down from the past B. a matter that is hidden secretly
- a question difficult to answer D. a problem not vet solved
- One of the reasons why men invented certain sounds to express thoughts and actions was that_________
- they could agree upon certain signs B. they could write them down
- they could communicate with each other D. they could combine them
- What is tree about the words
- They are used to express feelings only. B. They cannot be written down.
- They are simply sounds. D. They are mysterious.
- In expressing their thoughts, great writers are able _________
- to confuse the readers B. to move men to tears
- to move our actions D. to puzzle our feelings
- Which of the following statements about the real poet is NOT tree
- He is no more a master of words than an ordinary person.
- He can convey his ideas in words which sing like music.
- He can move men to tears.
- His style is always charming.
核心词汇注释
unknown adj．不知道的，未知的，不知名的
mystery n．神秘，神秘的事物
association n．协会；联合；结交；联想
event n．事件；事变；结果；活动：精力；竞赛
increase n．增加，增大，增长 vt．增加，加大 vi．增加，繁殖
appeal n．请求，呼吁：上诉；吸引力；要求
vi．求助，诉请，要求 vt．控诉
charming adj．办迷人的，娇媚的
literary adj．文学(上)的，从事写作的，文艺的，精通文学的，书本的
poet n．诗人
convey vt．搬运，传达，转让
长难句剖析
All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sound to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds, and which could be written down.
[结构分析]本句是主系表结构，all we really know是主语，系动词是is，that引导的从句作表语。在表语从句中，主干是men．．．invented．．．so that they could communicate…and that later agreed upon…which…,主语是men，谓语动词是invented certain sound,接下来的不定式to…作目的状语，后面so that引导的是两个并列的目的状语从句，其中第二个从句中，which引导的非限定定语从句修饰名词letters.
[参考译文]我们只知道，人类不像动物，人类设法创造了某个音来表达思想感情、行为和事物，因此他们能够互相交流；并且后来他们对某些符号达成一致意见，这些符号被称作字母，它们可以连在一起代表那些音，而且可以用笔记录下来。
The longer we live，the more certain words recall to us the glad and sad events of our past．
[结构分析]本句是“the more．．．the more．．．”结构。
[参考译文]而且我们活得越长，就有更多的一些词让我们回想起过去的悲伤与快乐。
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions．
[结构分析]本句的主干是Great writers are those．…who引导的定语从句修饰those，在这个定语从句中，which引导的关系从句用来修饰in的宾语words。
[参考译文]伟大的作家是那些不但有伟大的思想而且能用强烈感染我们思想感情的词语把它表达出来的人。
全文参考译文
最开始时人类是如何学会创造词语的尚未可知，换句话说，语言的起源是个谜。我们只知道，人类不像动物，人类设法创造了某个音来表达思想感情、行为和事物，以便他们能够互相交流：并且后来他们对某些符号达成一致意见，这些符号被称为字母，它们可以连在一起代表那些音，而且可以用笔记录下来。这些音，不管是口述的还是用字母写下来的，我们都称之为词。
词的力量存在于它们的联想——它们能使我们的大脑回忆起事物。随着经验的增长，对于我们来说词充满意义，而且我们活得越长，就有更多的一些词让我们回想起过去的悲伤与快乐；我们读得越多，学得越多，就会知道更多对我们有意义的词。
伟大的作家是那些不但有伟大的思想而且能用强烈感染我们思想感情的词语把它表达出来的人。我们把这种对词语巧妙的使用称之为文学风格。总而言之，真正的诗人是语言大师。他可以用那些读起来像音乐般的词语表达他的意思，这些词语被安置的位置以及它们所带来的联想能让人感动地落泪。因此我们应该学会慎重地选择我们所用的词语并准确地使用它们，不然的话，它们会让我们的谈吐变得愚蠢而又无聊。
题目答案与解析
1． 人类语言的起源是________。 [答案]D
A．从过去流传下来的传说 B．秘密隐藏起的事情
C．一个难于回答的问题 D．一个还没得到解决的问题
[解析]本题的依据是文章第1段的第1句话How men first learnt to invent words is unknown；in other words，the origin of language is a mystery。从中可知D项是正确答案。
2． 人类发明用某种声音表达思想和行动的原因之一是_______。 [答案]C
A．他们可以就某些信号达成一致 B．他们可以写下来
C．他们可以互相交流 D．他们可以将他们结合起来
[解析]本题可参照第1段的第2句话，从so that所引导的状语从句so that they could communicate with each other可知，C项为正确答案。
3． 下面关于“词”的表述中哪个正确 [答案]C
A．他们仅仅被用来表达感情。 B．他们不能被写下来。
C．他们仅仅是声音。 D．他们是神秘的。
[解析]本题的依据是第1段的最后一句话Those sounds，whether spoken or written in letters，we call words。从中可知，C项为正确答案。A项不对，因为原文提过express thoughts and feelings，actions and things。B项中的not使这一选项与文中的事实相反，D项文中没有提及，原文只说过语言的起源是mystery，而不是语言本身。
4． 当表达他们思想的时候，伟大的作家能_________。 [答案]B
A．使读者迷惑 B．使人们感动得流泪 C．改变我们的行动 D．迷惑我们的感觉
[解析]本题可参照文章的最后一段。从中可知，一位真正的诗人the real poet能把我们普通人感动的流泪，因此B项为正确答案。
5． 以下关于一位真正诗人的描述中不正确的是_________。 [答案]A
A．与其说他是个语言大师，不如说他是个普通人
B．他可以用那些音乐般的词语表达他的意思
C．他可以使人感动得流泪 D．他的风格总是很迷人
[解析]本题可参照文中最后一段的第3句话Above all，the real poet is a master of words。而A项与之不符。因此A项为正确答案。