2015-08-21
549
Task 1. Find these words and expressions in the text. Explain their meaning in English. Then look them up in the dictionary to check their translation if necessary. Give an example of the situation in which these words and phrases can be used.
Impasse, to speculate, drastic action, edict, to nurture, to utter, solitary habitation, wrought, to babble.
Task 2. Match each word from the text with its synonym. Make up sentences with the words from the text.
| a) impasse | 1) violent |
| b) to speculate | 2) to bring-up |
| c) drastic | 3) deadlock |
| d) edict | 4) proclamation |
| e) to nurture | 5) to think |
| f) to utter | 6) to prattle |
| g) solitary | 7) succession |
| h) sequence | 8) lonely |
| i) to babble | 9) to pronounce |
| j) revival | 10) trustworthiness |
| k) to enquire | 11) rebirth |
| l) authenticity | 12) to ask |
Task 3. Fill each gap with one word. Then re-read the text if necessary.
1. Man’s search for the origin of language is________________.
2. Each generation asks the same questions, and reaches the same ___________— the absence or any evidence.
3. One of the best-known reports concerns the Egyptian king, Psamtik I, who __________ in the 7th century B.C.
4. He charged him that none should _________any speech before them, but they should live by themselves in a _________________.
5. ___________is now extinct, but at the time it was spoken in an area corresponding to the northwestern part of modern Turkey.
6. It was the German scientist _______________in the nineteenth century (1832–1920) who prepared the ground for a classification of theories of the origin of language.
7. He distinguished between theories of __________and__________, __________and ___________theories.
8. The study of the formation and development of human language, in both the child and the race, is sometimes called ________________.
WRITING
Read the beginning part of the text “The Functions of Language” below and write a summary of it. While writing, remember that a summary should be organized so that others can understand the source or evaluate your comprehension of it. The following format works well:
