The most intensive period of speech and language development for
humans is during the first three years of life, a period when the brain is
developing and maturing. These skills appear to develop best in a world that is
rich with sounds, sights, and consistent(一致的,协调的,相容的)exposure(揭发)to the
speech and language of others.
There is increasing evidence suggesting that there are
"critical periods" for speech and language development in infants and
young children. This means that the developing brain is best able to absorb a
language, any language, during this period. The beginning signs of
communication occur during the first few days of life when an infant learns
that a cry will bring food, comfort, and companionship. As they grow,
infants begin to sort out the speech sounds (phonemes) or building blocks that
compose the words of their language. Research has shown that by six months of
age, most children recognize the basic sounds of their native language
As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips, and tongue) and voice
mature, an infant is able to make controlled sound. By six months of age, an
infant usually babbles or produces repetitive syllables such as "ba, ba,
ba" or "da, da, da." By the end of their first year, most
children have mastered the ability to say a few simple words. Children are most
likely unaware of the meaning of their first words, but soon learn the power of
those words as others respond to them.
By eighteen months of age, most children can say eight to ten
words. By age two, most are putting words together in crude sentences such as
"more milk." During this period, children rapidly learn that words
symbolize or represent objects, actions, and thoughts. At this age they also
engage in representational or pretend play. At ages three, four, and five, a
child's vocabulary rapidly increases, and he or she begins to master the rules
of language.
1.According
to the passage, which of the statements is NOT true
A.The
developing brain is best able to absorb any language.
B.The
beginning signs of communication occur during the first few days of life.
C.By six
months of age, all children recognize the basic sounds of their native
language.
D.By 2,
children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and
thoughts.
2.We can
infer from the passage that____
A.by six
months of age, an infant must babble or produce repetitive syllables
B.by their
first year, most children are most likely aware of the meaning of their first
words
C.by 2,
children rapidly learn that words symbolize or represent objects, actions, and
thoughts
D.the brain
development is critical to develop children’s speech and language ability
3.That there
are “critical periods” for speech and language development in infants and young
children means ______
A.that
children are so young that it is easy for them to study
B.that the
developing brain is best able to absorb a language, any language
C.that the
children are eager to learn the language
D.that we must take care of children
4
In Paragraph 3, the underlined word “mechanism” can be replaced by ______.
A.organs
B.skills
C.abilities
D.habits