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TOEFL Reading Practice: The Evolution of Language

drimnotes
Oct 11, 2025, 02:01 AM
1

Reading Passage

Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, evolving over centuries to reflect the cultural and social changes of societies. The history of language development is a fascinating journey that sheds light on the complexity and adaptability of the human mind. One of the most intriguing theories regarding the origin of language is the 'bow-wow theory,' which suggests that language began with imitations of natural sounds. While this theory has its limitations, it highlights the creative ways in which humans have sought to express themselves through vocalization. Another prominent theory is the 'ding-dong theory,' proposing that language originated from the instinctive responses to environmental stimuli. This theory emphasizes the role of context and sensory perception in shaping linguistic structures. As languages evolved, they diversified into distinct language families, such as the Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, and Afro-Asiatic language families, each with unique grammatical features and phonetic systems. The study of language evolution not only provides insights into the origins of human communication but also offers valuable perspectives on cultural diversity and cognitive development.

Questions:

1. According to the passage, which theory suggests that language started with imitations of natural sounds?
A) The ding-dong theory
B) The bow-wow theory
C) The ping-pong theory
D) The cha-cha theory
2. What does the 'ding-dong theory' propose as the origin of language?
A) Responses to environmental stimuli
B) Writing systems
C) Musical compositions
D) Hieroglyphics
3. Based on the passage, why is the study of language evolution significant?
A) It reveals the history of writing systems
B) It provides insights into human cognitive abilities
C) It highlights the importance of non-verbal communication
D) It proves the existence of extraterrestrial languages
4. How are language families described in the passage?
A) As identical in grammatical features
B) As sharing the same phonetic systems
C) As having unique characteristics
D) As originating from a single language
5. Which question type requires readers to make logical deductions based on the information provided in the passage?
A) Vocabulary in context
B) Factual information
C) Inference
D) Rhetorical purpose
6. What is the purpose of the 'bow-wow theory' as mentioned in the passage?
A) To explain the origins of writing
B) To illustrate the diversity of languages
C) To highlight the role of imitation in language development
D) To promote a specific language learning method

Answer Key:

1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (C)

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