TOEFL Reading Practice: The Evolution of Language
drimnotes
Sep 26, 2025, 02:01 AM
1
Reading Passage:
Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication and culture. The evolution of language has been a topic of interest for linguists, anthropologists, and cognitive scientists for centuries. Understanding how language developed and diversified can provide insights into the origins of human cognition and social behavior.
One prominent theory suggests that language originated from early human ancestors who lived in social groups. These groups relied on vocalizations and gestures to convey messages and coordinate activities. Over time, the need for more complex communication led to the development of structured language systems. This evolution enabled humans to express abstract concepts, share knowledge, and form intricate social bonds.
The study of historical language evolution often involves examining the roots of modern languages and tracing their development through time. Linguistic scholars analyze phonetic changes, grammatical structures, and vocabulary evolution to uncover the connections between different language families.
Questions:
1. According to the passage, what was the primary factor that led to the development of structured language systems?
A) Genetic mutations
B) Social interaction
C) Climate change
D) Dietary habits
2. Based on the passage, what is one of the key benefits of language evolution for humans?
A) Increased physical strength
B) Enhanced cognitive abilities
C) Improved night vision
D) Faster running speed
3. What can be inferred about early human communication from the passage?
A) It was primarily visual-based
B) It was limited to vocalizations
C) It was exclusively written
D) It involved complex language systems
4. Why do linguists study the roots of modern languages, according to the passage?
A) To develop new languages
B) To understand historical language evolution
C) To standardize global communication
D) To invent artificial intelligence languages
5. Which sentence best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
A) Language evolution is a complex process influenced by various factors.
B) Early humans communicated using a combination of gestures and vocalizations.
C) Modern languages have evolved from structured language systems.
D) Linguistic scholars analyze phonetic changes to uncover language connections.
Answer Key:
1. (B)
2. (B)
3. (A)
4. (B)
5. (A) (Optional: C, D)
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