is talking about fishing or going to the mountains, others probably know that "bank" means "the side of a river".

　　The things that speakers say may not always be clear. Sometimes the words are not very particular, but the speaking situation can provide the meaning. Other times words may have many meanings. Then the speaking situation limits the right meaning. This extra knowledge from the situation is very important to understand language.

5. The passage is mainly about 　　　.

A. the best time and place to talk to others

B. how the speaking situation helps language work

C. what to say in different situations

D. how our language works

答案:B

解析:主旨大意题。本文在第一段的最后点出主题:"However, it turns out that the speaking situation helps a lot in making language work. "下文介绍了语境对于语言的作用。故选B项。

6. According to the passage, we can safely say that 　　　.

A. the speaking situation does not affect the meaning of words

B. speaking is not very natural for most people

C. the speaking situation is not important

D. people often do not consider how talking works

答案:D

解析:推理判断题。根据文中的"We do not usually think about how our language works. Talking is such a natural, everyday activity that we do not often stop to consider how it actually works. "可知, 我们不常考虑语言是怎样起作用的。

7. By using the example of the word "dog", the writer wants to show that 　　　.

A. a word may need to be explained in a conversation

B. a word may have different meanings

C. the speaking situation helps people understand the particular meaning of a word

D. the meaning of words is not particular

答案:C

解析:推理判断题。根据第二段对于"dog"这个词语境中的使用情况的介绍可知, 作者想表达的是语境帮助人们更好地理解单词。

8. According to the passage, we can know the meaning of the word "bank" by referring to 　　　.

A. the time and the place where the conversation happens

B. the occupation of the person who uses the word

C. earlier or later parts of the conversation

D. a reliable dictionary

答案:C