How men first learned to invent words is unknown, in other words, the origin of language is a mystery. All we really know is that men, unlike animals, somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could communicate with each other; and that later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be combined to represent those sounds and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken, or written in letters, we call words.
The power of words, then, lies in their association—the thing they bring up before our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words recall to us the glad and the sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increase.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions. This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary style. Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music, and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should, therefore, learn to choose our words carefully and use them accurately, or they make our speech silly and vulgar.
小题1:What is the origin of language?
A．It is unknown.
B．It is a matter that is unclear.
C．It is a question difficult to answer.
D．It is a problem not yet solved.小题2:Which of the following about a real poet is NOT true?
A．He is less than a master of words.
B．His style is always charming.
C．His poem can move men to tears.
D．He can express his ideas in words that sing like music.小题3:Where does the real power of the words come from?
A．From the words themselves.
B．From their characteristics.
C．From their peculiarity.
D．From their association.小题4:What is the main idea of the passage?
A．The importance of choosing words.
B．Where the real power of words come from.
C．What great writers are like.
D．We should learn to choose words carefully.
