1.In contrast to the earlier linguists, modern linguists tend to .

A. attempt to continue the standardization of the language

B. evaluate language practices in terms of current speech rather than standards or proper patterns

C. be more concerned about the improvement of the language than its analysis or history

D. be more aware of the rules of the language usage

2.Choose the appropriate meaning for the word "inflection" used in line 4 of paragraph 2.

A. Changes in the forms of words.

B. Changes in sentence structures.

C. Changes in spelling rules.

D. Words that have similar meanings.

3.Which of the following statements is not mentioned in the passage?

A. It is generally believed that the year 1500 can be set as the beginning of the modern English language.

B. Some other languages had great influence on the English language at some stages of its development.

C. The English language has been and still in a state of relatively constant change.

D. Many classes or groups have contributed to the development of the English language.

4. The author of these paragraphs is probably a(an) .

A. historianB. philosopher

C. anthropologistD. linguist

5.Which of the following can be best used as the title of the passage?

A. The history of the English language.

B. Our changing attitude towards the English language.

C. Our changing language.

D. Some characteristics of modern English.

Vocabulary

1.span n. 跨度，范围，一段时间，期间

2.imperceptible adj. 感觉不到的，觉察不到的，极细微的

3.organism n. 生物体，有机体

4.possession n. 拥有，占有，领土，领地

5.ignorant adj. 无知的

6.folk n. 人们，民族

7.permanence n. 永久，持久

8.Anglo-Saxons n. 盎格鲁-撒克逊语，盎格鲁-撒克逊人，地道的英国人

9.reversal n. 颠倒，反向，逆转

10.inflection n. 词尾变化

11.preposition n. 前置词，介词

12.conjunction n. 联合，关联，连接词

13.in terms of 根据，按照，用……的话，在……方面