For many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without learning. These deaf people were not able to use a spoken language.
But, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using this language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language.
How did this sign language work? The deaf were taught to make certain movements with their hands, faces and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. A man might move his finger across his lips. This meant, “You are not telling the truth.” He might tap his chin (下巴, 下颚)with three fingers. This meant “my uncle”.
The deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet（字母表）. They used their fingers to make letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute.
Sign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once could. Today, the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are also taught how to speak.
小题1:The passage is mainly about ___ .
A．how the deaf communicate with others
B．teaching the deaf to speak with their mouths
C．learning how to spell words with one’s hands
D．how sign languages came into being小题2:From the passage we can infer that ___.
A．there is still no way to communicate with the deaf
B．the deaf must have special teachers to teach them
C．in order to make a living, deaf people must make signs
D．it is not very difficult for the deaf to learn sign language小题3:How did sign languages help the deaf?
A．It helped them learn to read
B．The deaf could understand sign languages even if they had not learned them
C．It helped them to communicate with other people
D．It helped them speak with their mouths小题4:Which of the following sentences do you think is right according to the passage?
A．Deaf people draw signs
B．Deaf people read with their fingers
C．Many deaf people now can speak
D．Deaf people can hear what others say now
成立．