I.

1—5 T F F T T 6—10 F T T T F

II.

1—5 A CA A B 6—10 C B D A C

III.

1. Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication.

2. Linguistics is the scientific study of language.

3. Arbitrariness is one of the features of human language. Language contains two subsystems; sounds and meanings. Arbitrariness refers to the relationship between these two subsystems is arbitrary.

4. The general roles language plays are termed metafunctions. According to Halliday, languages play three metafunctions simultaneously. They are theideational function, the interpersonal function and the textual function.

IV.

1. Many philosophers and linguistics believe that language is unique to man. Language is a human trait that sets us apart from other ling creatures because it has the following features, which are not found in animal communication system such as creativity or productivity, duality, arbitrariness, displacement, cultural transmission, interchangeability and reflexivity.

2. Spoken language is given priority to written language in modern linguistics for a numbers of reasons:

(1) Speech is historically prior to writing in any cultures where writing exists;

(2) Spoken language is used for a much wider range of purposes in communication;

(3) Spoken language is structurally more complex than written language.

(4) Spoken language is acquired earlier than written language.

3.Modern linguistics has the following features, which is distinguished from the linguistics of previous:

(1) Priority is given to spoken language.

(2) Focus is on synchronic study of language rather than diachronic study of language.

(3) Modern linguistics is descriptive and explanatory rather than prescriptive in nature.

(4) Modern linguistics is theoretically rather than pedagogically oriented. Theoretical grammar and pedagogic grammar are complementary.