Question

My summer hols wr CWOT. B4, we usd 2 go 2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3:-@ kids FTF ILNY, its gr8.

Can you understand this sentence? If you can't, don't feel too bad: neither could the middle school teacher in England who received this as homework. This is Net speak: the language of computerized communication found on Internet or cell phones. To newcomers, it can look like a completely foreign language. So, what is the "translation" of the sentence above? My summer holidays were a complete waste of time. Before, we used to go to New York to see my brother, his girlfriend, and their three screaming kids face to face. I love New York; it's great.

Schoolteachers and parents say this new form of writing is harming（破壞）the English language. Increasing spelling and grammatical mistakes can be seen in students' writing. They fear the language could become corrupted（面目全非）.

Everyone should just relax, say linguists（語言學(xué)家）. They believe Net speak is in fact more of a good thing. David Crystal, from the University of Wales, argues that Net speak and Internet create a new language use and the almost lost art of diary writing has been picked up again. Geoffrey Nurnberg, from Stanford University, agrees. "People get better at writing by writing," he says, "Kids who are now doing text messages, e-mail, and instant messages will write at least as well as, and possibly better than, their parents."

Linguist James Milroy says, for centuries, it is believed without exception that young people are harming the language. And you can bet your bottom dollar that when today's teenagers become tomorrow's parents, they too will think this way. Milroy argues that languages do not and cannot become "corrupted"; they simply change to meet the new needs.

However, Net speakers do agree that it is important to teach young people how to speak and write Standard（標(biāo)準(zhǔn)） English. Cynthia McVey says, "I can understand Net speak worries teachers and it's important that they get across to their pupils that text messaging is for fun, but that learning to write proper English is a must（絕對必要的事物）for their future."

Perhaps we should give teenagers a little more trust anyway. Erin, age 12, says, "I wouldn't use text language in my homework. Texting is just for fun".

1.What is the main purpose of the first paragraph?

A.To give an example of a foreign language.

B. To show an example of creative methods.

C. To express worries about using Net speak.

D. To lead in the topic of Net speak.

2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Cynthia McVey points out teenagers can deal with Net speak properly.

B. Geoffrey Nurnberg believes Net speakers can write Standard English.

C. David Crystal thinks Net speak helps develop the habit of writing.

D. James Milroy says that language is changing and improving.

3.The expression "bet your bottom dollar" in Paragraph 5 means ______.

A .be fairly sure

B. be greatly surprised

C. think it a pity

D. find it interesting

4.What can be the best title for the passage?

A. Net speak: A Widely-Used Language on Internet

B. Is Net speak Harming the English Language?

C. Is Net speak Helpful in Language Learning?

D. Net speak: Advantages and Disadvantages

Answer 1