Analyses of a language database also confirmed that there was a global

change in the sound of world languages after the Neolithic age, with theuse

of “f” and “v” increasing remarkably during the last few thousandyears.

These sounds are still not found in the languages of manyhunter-gatherer

people today.

This research overturns the popular view that all human speech sounds

were present when human beings evolved around 300,000 years ago. “The

set of speech sounds we use has not necessarily remained stable sincethe

appearance of human beings, but rather the huge variety of speechsounds

that we find today is the product of a complex interplay of things like

biological change and cultural evolution,” said Steven Moran, a memberof

the research team.

32. Which aspect of the human speech sound does Damián Blasi’s research

focus on?

A. Its variety.

B. Its distribution.

D. Its development.

C. Its quantity.

33. Why was it difficult for ancient human adults to producelabiodentals?

A. They had fewer upper teeth than lower teeth.

B. They could not open and close their lips easily.

C. Their jaws were not conveniently structured.

D. Their lower front teeth were not large enough.

34. What is paragraph 5 mainly about?

A. Supporting evidence for the research results.

B. Potential application of the research findings.

C. A further explanation of the research methods.

D. A reasonable doubt about the research process.

35. What does Steven Moran say about the set of human speech sounds?

A. It is key to effective communication.

B. It contributes much to cultural diversity.

C. It is a complex and dynamic system.

D. It drives the evolution of human beings.

第二节(共 5小题;每小题 2.5分，满分 12.5分)

阅读下面短文，从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选

项中有两项为多余选项。

Fitness Magazine recently ran an article titled “Five Reasons to Thank

Your Workout Partner.” One reason was: “You’ll actually show up if you

know someone is waiting for yoat the gym,” while another read: “ 36 ”

With a workout partner, yowill increase your training effort as there isa