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发表于 2016-8-15 23:18:29
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II. Reading Passages
Part A 阅读理解
Passage One
Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding. Some causes of speech and language disorders include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, and vocal abuse or misuse. Frequently, however, the cause is unknown.
More than one million of the students served in the public schools' special education programs in the 1998-99 school year were categorized as having a speech or language impairment. This estimate does not include children who have speech/language problems secondary to other conditions such as deafness. Language disorders may be related to other disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, or cerebral palsy. It is estimated that communication disorders affect one of every 10 people in the United States.
A child's communication is considered delayed when the child is noticeably behind his or her peers in the acquisition of speech and/or language skills. Sometimes a child will have greater receptive (understanding) than expressive (speaking) language skills, but this is not always the case.
Speech disorders refer to difficulties producing speech sounds or problems with voice quality. Speech disorders may be problems with the way sounds are formed, called articulation or phonological disorders, or they may be difficulties with the pitch, volume or quality of the voice. There may be a combination of several problems. People with speech disorders have trouble using some speech sounds. They may say "see" when they mean "ski" or they may have trouble using other sounds like "l" or "r". People with voice disorders may have trouble with the way their voices sound.
A language disorder is an impairment in the ability to understand and/or use words in context. Some characteristics of language disorders include improper use of words and their meanings, inability to express ideas, inappropriate grammatical patterns, reduced vocabulary and inability to follow directions. Children may hear or see a word but not be able to understand its meaning. They may have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to communicate.
Because all communication disorders carry the potential to isolate individuals from their social and educational surroundings, it is essential to find appropriate timely intervention. While many speech and language patterns can be called "baby talk" and are part of a young child's normal development, they can become problems if they are not outgrown as expected. In this way an initial delay in speech and language or an initial speech pattern can become a disorder which can cause difficulties in learning. Because of the way the brain develops, it is easier to learn language and communication skills before the age of 5.
Speech-language pathologists assist children who have communication disorders in various ways. They provide individual therapy for the child; consult with the child's teacher about the most effective ways to facilitate the child's communication in the class setting; and work closely with the family to develop goals and techniques for effective therapy in class and at home. Technology can help children whose physical conditions make communication difficult.
Vocabulary and concept growth continues during the years children are in school. Reading and writing are taught and, as students get older, the understanding and use of language becomes more complex. Communication skills are at the heart of the education experience. Speech and/or language therapy may continue throughout a student's school year either in the form of direct therapy or on a consultant basis. The speech-language pathologist may assist vocational teachers and counselors in establishing communication goals related to the work experiences of students and suggest strategies that are effective for the important transition from school to employment and adult life.
Communication has many components. All serve to increase the way people learn about the world around them, utilize knowledge and skills, and interact with colleagues, family and friends.
1. The possible causes of speech and language disorders do not include[U] [/U]
[A] brain injury.
[B] drug abuse.
[C] inability to use oral-motor mechanism.
[D] physical impairments.
2. Which of the following is correct about communication disorders?
[A] About one million students in public school have communication disorders.
[B] Communication disorder does not include deafness.
[C] In most of the time, a child with communication disorder has greater receptive than expressive language skills.
[D] Communication disorder includes speech and language disorders.
3. By comparison of speech disorder and language disorder, we know that[U] .[/U]
[A] they are almost the same
[B] people with language disorder have problems using some sounds
[C] people with speech disorder sometimes have difficulty in using appropriate grammatical patterns
[D] if a person can not pronounce "l" and "r" correctly, he might have speech disorders
4. Which sentence can best summarize Paragraph 6-8?
[A] Incidence of communication disorder.
[B] Characteristics of communication disorder.
[C] Educational implications for communication disorder.
[D] Various forms of communication disorder.
5. Which is NOT mentioned about the function of communication at the end of the article?
[A] increase the way people learn about the world around them.
[B] Improve one's image.
[C] Utilize knowledge and skills.
[D] Interact with colleagues, family and friends.
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Passage Two
The key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge. First, it is essential that people understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication, and make a conscious effort to overcome these problems. Second, it is important to assume that one's efforts will not always be successful, and adjust one's behavior appropriately.
For example, one should always assume that there is a significant possibility that cultural differences are causing communication problems, and be willing to be patient and forgiving, rather than hostile and aggressive, if problems develop. One should respond slowly and carefully in cross-cultural exchanges, not jumping to the conclusion that you know what is being thought and said.
William Ury's suggestion for heated conflicts is to stop, listen, and think, or as he puts it "go to the balcony" when the situation gets tense. By this he means withdraw from the situation, step back, and reflect on what is going on before you act. This helps in cross cultural communication as well. When things seem to be going badly, stop or slow down and think. What could be going on here? Is it possible I misinterpreted what they said, or they misinterpreted me? Often misinterpretation is the source of the problem.
Active listening can sometimes be used to check this out-by repeating what one thinks he or she heard, one can confirm that one understands the communication accurately. If words are used differently between languages or cultural groups, however, even active listening can overlook misunderstandings.
Often intermediaries who are familiar with both cultures can be helpful in cross-cultural communication situations. They can translate both the substance and the manner of what is said. For instance, they can tone down strong statements that would be considered appropriate in one culture but not in another, before they are given to people from a culture that does not talk together in such a strong way. They can also adjust the timing of what is said and done. Some cultures move quickly to the point; others talk about other things long enough to establish rapport or a relationship with the other person. If discussion on the primary topic begins too soon, the group that needs a "warm up" first will feel uncomfortable. A mediator or intermediary who understands this can explain the problem, and make appropriate procedural adjustments.
Yet sometimes intermediaries can make communication even more difficult. If a mediator is the same culture or nationality as one of the disputants, but not the other, this gives the appearance of bias, even when none exists. Even when bias is not intended, it is common for mediators to be more supportive or more understanding of the person who is of his or her own culture, simply because they understand them better. Yet when the mediator is of a third cultural group, the potential for cross-cultural misunderstandings increases further. In this case engaging in extra discussions about the process and the manner of carrying out the discussions is appropriate, as is extra time for confirming and re-confirming understandings at every step in the dialogue or negotiating process.
1. How do you understand "the key to effective cross-cultural communication is knowledge"?
[A] One should understand the potential problems of cross-cultural communication.
[B] One should know that conscious effort to overcome cross-cultural communication problems will not always be successful.
[C] One should be patient when cross-cultural communication problems develop.
[D] All of the above
2. What does William Ury mean by saying "go to the balcony" when there is heated conflict?
[A] He means to listen to the other part carefully.
[B] He means to join the conflict.
[C] He means to fight back.
[D] He means to withdraw from heated conflicts and think twice.
3. What is the function of active listening?
[A] It can sometimes be used to avoid misinterpretation.
[B] It can help you ask another person repeat what he said.
[C] It can help you understand words in another language.
[D] It can overlook misunderstanding.
4. Which of the following is correct about intermediaries?
[A] Intermediaries are always helpful in cross-cultural communication.
[B] Intermediaries belong to the third cultural group.
[C] Intermediaries sometimes make communication more difficult.
[D] Intermediaries are always biased towards one culture or another.
5. What is the tone of this article?
[A] Critical
[B] Narrative
[C] Fictional
[D] Argumentative

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