It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it．The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found．
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include ‘‘huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly，the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech．Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings．
But while other words used in the same context，such as ‘‘sorry'’ or‘ ‘what”，vary widely across languages，“huh?” remains unchanged．
The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world，including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language，as well as Italian，Spanish，Dutch and Mandarin Chinese．
They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated．All contained a version of ‘‘huh?”．The word was also found in another 21 languages．While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same．
This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing．For instance，the Japanese for “dog’’ is ‘‘inu”，while the French is‘ ‘chien”．It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?’’ because the sound is quick and simple to form，as well as being easily understood．
The researchers，said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?'’ but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication．They also have an answer for those who claim that ‘‘huh?’’ isn’t a word．They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages．It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make．
小题1:According to researchers，the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of .
A．its important function in communication
B．its simple and easy sound and spelling
C．its popularity in every language
D．its stable meaning in language development小题2:If you hear someone you’re speaking to say “huh?”, what should you do?
A．You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice．
B．You should invite her to share her different views politely．
C．You should try to say what you’ve just said again in a clearer way．
D．You should ask her to repeat what she says before that.小题3:The main method used in the research of “huh?” was_____________．
A．comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages
B．interviewing language experts in universities
C．talking with people from ten different countries
D．analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages小题4: According to researchers，‘‘huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because __________ .
A．it is pronounced quite differently around the world
B．it is something humans learn to say
C．there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word
D．it is listed in most dictionaries
小题1:A
小题2:C
小题3:D
小题4:B
本文主要讲述了在不同的语言中都用诸如huh这样的词，研究人员对不同语言中的这样的词接下来分析研究，发现这些词都有相近的用法。
小题1:A
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第二段最后2行Without it and similar words，it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings可知如果没有这些单词，我们就无法理解别人所说的话也会导致误解。说明这些单词在交流中是非常重要的。故A正确。
小题2:C
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章第五段1,2行They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated．可知当你请求对方再次重复所讲内容的时候，可以使用这些词。也就是说当你听见这些词的时候，你要把自己说过的话更清楚地再说一遍。故C项正确。
小题3:D
【试题解析】推理题。根据文章4,5段第一句The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world和They analyzed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like ‘‘huh?”可知研究人员仔细研究全世界的十种语言，对每种语言中的huh这样的词的对话进行了分析。所以他们使用的是分析使用了这些词的对话。故D正确。
小题4:B
【试题解析】细节题。根据文章最后两句It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say，rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make．可知研究人员认为这是一个词，而不是一个简短的声音。我们要学习这个词所表达的含义。故B正确。
【长难句解析】
Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include ‘‘huh?”, or something that sounds very like it.
【翻译】研究人员发现从加纳、老挝到冰岛和意大利的语言里都含有‘‘huh?”或者听起来像它的词。
【分析】本句中的动词discover后面含有that引导的宾语从句，宾语从句中含有过去分词短语spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy修饰名词languages。同时在后面句子含有另外一个定语从句that sounds very like it修饰先行词something, 关系代词that在这个定语从句中做主语。