Albatross C1 Lesson 11 Reading

What is the passage mainly about?

• A. Reasons to save dying minority languages

• B. Examples of ethnic minority languages

• C. The world's most culturally important languages

• D. The effect of language extinction on imperial powers

Why does the author mention endangered species?

• A. To persuade readers to study the world's prominent languages

• B. To emphasize the importance of preserving imperiled languages

• C. To argue that language must withstand evolutionary competition

• D. To provide a point of reference for the number of extinct languages

What is probably true about Japan when it was an imperial power?

• A. It encouraged multiculturalism.

• B. It conquered the Maori.

• C. It preserved local languages.

• D. It promoted cultural unity.

Answer explanation

this shows that Japan wanted the entire country to have the same culture and speak the same language. "unity" means to be together.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Ainu?

• A. They are an ethnic minority in Japan.

• B. Their language is not related to Japanese.

• C. They have refused to speak Japanese.

• D. They have lost much of their cultural heritage.

Answer explanation

"distinct" means different

What threatens the Ainu language with extinction?

• A. It is harder than Japanese.

• B. It has no written form.

• C. It is native to Hokkaido.

• D. It is culturally inferior.

Which of the following best summarizes the author's viewpoint on indigenous languages?

• A. Their extinction is necessary for progress.

• B. They must be close to extinction to warrant progress.

• C. They can be maintained alongside dominant languages.

• D. They should be studied more than dominant languages.

Answer explanation

Why does the author mention traditional medicine?

• A. To suggest that medical science can be advanced with obscure practices

• B. To argue that certain knowledge can be lost when a language is lost

• C. To argue that imperialism can destroy important traditions

• D. To provide an example of a tradition worth preserving

Why does the author mention the Maori Language Commission?

• A. To persuade the reader to consider learning the Maori language

• B. To provide an example of an ethnic minority language that was lost

• C. To provide an example of a successful initiative to preserve language

• D. To persuade the reader of the merits of the New Zealand government