A
In 2013, Harris Academy, a school in south London, stopped its students from using slang(俚语) words, such as ain’t. The move led to an argument over whether it is necessary to control the way students speak.
The creation of slang is one way languages change. Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language. For example, the word “groovy”， meaning “great”， used to be very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. But by 1980, people had stopped using it.
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group. Another is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way. For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image(形象) than the more standard leave an organization. While in the Internet age, slang expressions are created faster than ever. Often, Internet slang words are created to make messages faster and easier to type.
Some people are strongly against the use of slang. Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly. They thought this might cause problems for them when they finally went on to apply(申请) to universities or companies.
However, some people think differently. Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor. And, unlike what some believe, slang is not a new phenomenon(现象). As Thorne explains, “Slang has not become more popular, simply more public.” In today’s highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe(观察) language change.
Perhaps the worries mentioned above can be solved by making people understand when to use certain forms of language. As long as people use slang properly, there is no need to completely avoid it.
【解题导语】 本文是一篇议论文。某学校禁止学生使用俚语，此举引发了社会各方的争论。作者就此也发表了自己的看法。
1．Why did the author mention the example of “groovy”？
A．To show how languages change.
B．To show slang often changes fast.
C．To show slang was popular in the 1960s.
D．To show how standard language forms over time.
B 解析：推理判断题。第二段中，作者阐述了观点：俚语通常比标准语言变化更快，接着用groovy的流行与消亡来对该观点进行举例说明。
2．What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
A．Why people use slang.
B．How people use slang.
C．Different types of slang.
D．The development of slang.
A 解析：段落大意题。由第三段中的One important reason we use slang..., Another...以及Internet slang words...faster and easier to type可知，该段列举了人们使用俚语的若干原因。
3．What can we infer from Tony Thorne’s words in Paragraph 5?
A．Slang takes time to develop.
B．Slang is being accepted by the public.
C．Slang is increasingly known to the public.
D．More and more people are beginning to use slang.
C 解析：推理判断题。第五段中的slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe(观察) language change是对Thorne所说话语的补充说明，因为出现较好的观察语言变化的工具，俚语的曝光度增加了，即俚语正为越来越多的大众所知。
4．What’s the author’s attitude towards Harris Academy’s decision on slang?
A．He is against it.
B．He is in favor of it.
C．He is doubtful about it.
D．He is uncertain about it.
A 解析：推理判断题。由最后一段中的As long as people use slang properly, there is no need to completely avoid it.可推断，作者对Harris Academy禁止学生使用俚语的举措持反对态度。
