语言学课堂考试题.doc

-Chapter One Fill in the blanks. 1. Language, broadly speaking, is a means of _______ communication. 2. In any language words can be used in new ways to mean new things and can be combined into innumuberable sentences based on limited rules. This feature is usually termed _____. 3. Language has many functions. We can use language to talk about itself. This function is ______. 4. Theory that primitive man made involuntary vocal noises while performing heavy work has been called __________ theory. 5. The theory that language arose from instinctive emotional cries, expressive of pain or joy has been called _____________ theory. 6. The theory that language arose from human beings instinctive need for contact with his companion has been called the _________ theory. 7. Linguistics is the scientific study of _____________. 8. Modern linguistic is _____________ in the sense that the linguist tries to discover what language is rather than lay down some rules for people to observe. 9. One general principle of linguistic analysis is the primacy of ________ over writing. 10. The description of a language as it changes through time is a ________ study. 11. Saussure put forward two important concepts. ___________ refers to the abstract linguistic system shared by all members of a speech community. 12. Linguistic potential is similar to Saussure’s langue and Chomsky’s _________. II． Choose the best answer. 13. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human ______. a. contact b. communication c. relation d. community 14. Language is ___________. a. instinctive b. non-instinctive c. static d. genetically transmitted 15. A linguist regards the changes in language and languages use as _________. a. unnatural b. something to be feared c. natural d. abnormal 16. Which of the following words is entirely arbitrary? a. tree b. crash c. typewriter d. bang 17. The function of the sentence “Water boils at 100 degrees Centigrade” is ____