题目

阅读理解 It is an unpleasant extinction that will change the world and how people communicate: within 20 years, two thirds of all the planet's languages will be dead. Experts agree that nothing can stop it happening but one academic is trying her hardest to slow it down. Professor Antonella Sorace is one of a growing number who believe learning a second language has enormous untapped benefits for the human brain. This is true not only for young children but also for adults and people at risk from dementia (痴呆), where research consistently shows that learning a new language could delay the start of the disease for four to five years — a better result than with any medication to date. It is those benefits of bilingualism (双语) that should encourage us to preserve and protect Europe's minority languages — Gaelic, Manx, Cornish and Ulster Scots, she says. Already her work and the project she founded three years ago in Edinburgh Bilingualism Matters — now expanding across Europe and in the US — have convinced the Scottish government to introduce languages to primary schools. From 2023 all Scottish children will be learning a language other than English in their first year at school, with two other languages to be introduced later. Bilingualism Matters is also working to encourage businesses to consider the benefits of their staff learning languages. "In business, people say "English is the language of business, why would I need to learn another language?'" said Sorace. "Maybe it would mean you could do better business." Just as disappearing forests take with them secrets of undiscovered medicines disappearing languages can take the key to a longer and better quality of life. The first battle is to unpick the popular assumption that bilingualism might damage children's brains. There were even suggestions it could encourage schizophrenia (精神分裂症). Study after study has shown the opposite to be true, says Sorace. "These prejudices are deeply rooted, but we are perhaps halfway to persuading people that the brain can cope. Then we have to persuade people that it is actually of benefit." （1） What will happen to the majority of the world's languages? A . They will become extinct in decades B . They will be learnt by more academics C . They will prevent the risk of dementia. D . They will help people better communicate （2） What's Bilingualism Matters intended to do? A . Find a replacement for English. B . Teach businesses marketing skills. C . Promote minority language learning. D . Influence governments' policy making. （3） What's the top priority in preserving minority languages? A . Getting rid of people's fear for mental illnesses. B . Finding the key to promoting people's welfare. C . Unlocking the secrets of undiscovered medicines. D . Correcting the misconception about Bilingualism. （4） Which can be the best title for the text? A . The benefits of Bilingualism B . The founding of Bilingualism Matters C . A new challenge facing language teaching D . A professor fighting to save minority languages 答案： A C D D

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