Passage 14
Everyone speaks a language, but languages are not just for talking. 1 Through languages, we can tell other people what we think, how we feel, and what we need. In fact, civilization(文明) itself depends on our ability to communicate.
In the long history of humans, languages survive, grow, disappear, move from place to place, and change with time. There are about 6,000 different living languages around the world today, and there are many thousands more that are no longer in use. Languages might sound different, but they are thought to have come from a single ancient language. 2 Some scientists say that people first spoke to one another about two million years ago.
Today, our complicated(复杂的) languages are fully used in the magazines, novels, science books, and movies that fill our libraries and bookstores. 3 It separates us from the great apes(类人猿). Other animals may use kinds of methods to communicate, but we humans can send complicated messages across distance and time.
Throughout history there have been many languages that served as a lingua franca(通用语)—a common language that could serve as a bridge between people of different cultures. Today, English is the main language that plays that role around the world. 4
Language helps people to work together, to share knowledge and feelings, and to build up modern societies. The development of humanity's many languages was an important process that helped humans move forwards towards civilization.
A. It is the most important communication tool.
B. As humans, it is important that we can tell long stories.
C. Many people have studied English as a second or third language.
D. Nobody knows exactly when people first started using languages.
E. In our life, people communicate with both languages and body languages.
F. It's said that Chinese will be more popular than English in the near future.

1.A 2.D 3.B 4.C

【分析】
这是一篇语篇补全类的阅读理解题，解题时首先要通读全文，明确文章核心围绕语言的功能、发展历史、通用语属性展开，再逐个分析每个空缺位置的前后文逻辑，匹配语义衔接最顺畅的选项：
1. 第1空：前文指出语言不只是用来交谈，后文紧接着阐述语言能帮我们传递想法、感受、需求，文明也依托交流能力，因此空缺处需要点明语言作为交流工具的核心属性，匹配对应选项。
2. 第2空：后文提到部分科学家推测人类大约200万年前就开始互相交谈，前文提到所有现存语言都源自同一种古老语言，空缺处需要引出“语言起源时间没有定论”的逻辑，和后文科学家的推测形成呼应。
3. 第3空：后文指出这个特征把人类和类人猿区分开，说明人类可以跨时空传递复杂信息，前文提到复杂语言被应用在杂志、小说、书籍等内容中，空缺处的内容要能对应人类独有的复杂交流特征，衔接前后文。
4. 第4空：前文点明如今英语是全球范围内的主要通用语，空缺处需要补充说明英语作为通用语的具体表现，匹配对应选项。
最后排除和全文内容无关的干扰项E（全文未提及肢体语言）、F（上下文没有涉及中文未来流行度的相关表述），即可确定答案。
【解析】
1. 第1空：A选项“它是最重要的交流工具”，承接前文“语言不只是用来交谈”，引出后文语言传递各类信息的作用，语义完全衔接，符合语境。
2. 第2空：D选项“没人确切知道人类最初什么时候开始使用语言”，引出后文科学家对语言诞生时间的推测，逻辑连贯，符合语境。
3. 第3空：B选项“作为人类，我们可以讲述很长的故事这一点非常重要”，对应后文人类可以传递复杂跨时空信息、和类人猿形成区分的表述，衔接顺畅。
4. 第4空：C选项“很多人把英语作为第二或第三语言学习”，是前文“英语是全球主要通用语”的具体表现，语义匹配。
【答案】
1.A 2.D 3.B 4.C
【知识点】
语篇补全，阅读理解逻辑
【点评】
本题属于典型的阅读补全题型，核心考察学生对上下文语义逻辑的把握能力，不需要掌握超纲词汇，只要抓住空缺前后的核心提示信息，排除无关干扰项就可以快速选出正确答案，适合巩固语篇衔接相关的阅读解题技巧。
【难度系数】
0.7