4. When he made a mistake in English, he would blame her for it.

Check your vocabulary B

1. heritage; 2. dissuade; 3. mustiness; 4. outshout; 5. chaotic; 6. be hard on someone; 7. corner

Post-reading

1. US; 2. J; 3. J; 4. J; 5. US; 6. J; 7. US; 8. J; 9. US; 10. US

Unit Eight About Language

Part One: Interpretation of the quotations

1. The language ability is the only human characteristic that makes a human being different from

other forms of life.

2. If all other things remain equal, every human brain has the same structure that can react to any

factors which cause a reaction. This is why a baby can learn any language because it has the same reaction to the same stimulus as any other baby.

3. Language is not the work of the intellectuals or dictionary-makers. Rather, it is the product of

generations of people’s work, needs, relationships, and happiness and it is broadly and deeply rooted among common people.

Reference answers to the exercises Check your vocabulary

1. The international languages for pilots and air traffic controllers, airspeak, and for for

policemen, policespeak, have English as their base.

2. Because of the influence of Hollywood movies and pop music, many new learners of English

have already learned some English.

3. Some countries think that the use of English can damage or call into question their identity as

people or nation.

4. For people with different first language, English, as a second language, has enabled them to

communicate with each other without difficulty.

Reading Two

Check your comprehension B TTFTF

Check your vocabulary

1. origin(s); 2. speculate; 3. predispose; 4. Syntax; 5. contentment; 6. eventually

Reading Three

Check your comprehension A. 1-5 FTTFT; 6-10 TFTFF