Vocabulary

Task 1. Find these words and expressions in the text. Explain their meaning in English. Then look them up in the dictionary to check their translation if necessary. Give an example of the situation in which these words and phrases can be used.

Impasse, to speculate, drastic action, edict, to nurture, to utter, solitary habitation, wrought, to babble.

Task 2. Match each word from the text with its synonym. Make up sentences with the words from the text.

a) impasse	1) violent
b) to speculate	2) to bring-up
c) drastic	3) deadlock
d) edict	4) proclamation
e) to nurture	5) to think
f) to utter	6) to prattle
g) solitary	7) succession
h) sequence	8) lonely
i) to babble	9) to pronounce
j) revival	10) trustworthiness
k) to enquire	11) rebirth
l) authenticity	12) to ask

Task 3. Fill each gap with one word. Then re-read the text if necessary.

1. Man’s search for the origin of language is________________.

2. Each generation asks the same questions, and reaches the same ___________— the absence or any evidence.

3. One of the best-known reports concerns the Egyptian king, Psamtik I, who __________ in the 7^th century B.C.

4. He charged him that none should _________any speech before them, but they should live by themselves in a _________________ .

5. ___________is now extinct, but at the time it was spoken in an area corresponding to the northwestern part of modern Turkey.

6. It was the German scientist _______________in the nineteenth century (1832–1920) who prepared the ground for a classification of theories of the origin of language.

7. He distinguished between theories of __________and__________, __________and ___________theories.

8. The study of the formation and development of hu­man language, in both the child and the race, is sometimes called ________________.

WRITING

Read the beginning part of the text “The Functions of Language” below and write a summary of it. While writing, remember that a summary should be organized so that others can understand the source or evaluate your comprehension of it.  The following format works well: 

The introduction (usually one paragraph)

1. Contains a one-sentence thesis statement that sums up the main point of the source. This thesis statement is not your main point;  it is the main point of your source. Usually, though, you have to write this statement rather than quote it from the source text.  It is a one-sentence summary of the entire text that your essay summarizes.

2. Also introduces the text to be summarized:

• Gives the title of the source (following the citation guidelines of whatever style sheet you are using).

• Provides the name of the author of the source.

• Sometimes also provides pertinent background information about the author of the source or about the text to be summarized.

• The introduction should not offer your own opinions or evaluation of the text you are summarizing.     

The main body of a summary (one or more paragraphs)

   In your summary, be sure that you:

• Include important data but omit minor points.

• Include one or more of the author’s examples or illustrations (these will bring your summary to life).

• Do not include your own ideas, illustrations, metaphors, or interpretations. You are simply repeating what the source text says, in fewer words and in your own words.  But the fact that you are using your own words does not mean that you are including your own ideas.

When you have summarized the source text, your summary essay is finished.  Do not add your own concluding paragraph unless your teacher specifically tells you.