Read the passage and answer the following questions 

Certain languages came to acquire a special status introduced by religious leaders, scholars, or conquerors, Sometimes they became the basis of power and privilege. A language spoken by a small minority, such as Latin in medieval Europe could become the medium of scholarship, of record-keeping and of religious ceremony. A language introduced by conquerors, who become a ruling and landed elite, would be used in commerce, administration and law. During the era of imperialism. the languages of colonial powers become the languages of administration. Codified laws, higher education, science and technology in their own colonies. This held back the development of older languages excluded from these spheres. To a varying extent. Languages such as English and French Still hold this position in some of the now independent nations of Asia and Africa. This can create problems within these states. as well as between neighboring countries. notably in West Africa and the Caribbean. These have emerged from subjection to different alien powers. Words are symbols of human experience. Perceptions underlying them have undergone change over time and in response to new situations. Moreover, all languages are in a state of change sometimes rapid.

They respond to new needs arising from developments in thought and knowledge. In productive techniques. In social relationships, in political and economic structures, Words, therefore, change their meanings and acquire fresh applications; specialized technical terms pass into general usage. And new words are invented. The process reminds us that language is not a corpus of learning. but an instrument adapted to human purposes.


1. Imperialism was responsible for

(a) Codification of law

(b) Racial equity

(c) Primacy of local languages

(d) Exclusion of old languages


2. The passage analyses languages as a

(a) Corpus of learning

(b) Symbol of state power

(c) Tool to meet human purposes

(d) Formal link between old and new generations


3. One of the characteristics of languages is

(a) Constant change in meanings of words

(b) Subjection of different alien powers

(c) The ability to survive against heavy odds

(d) Their monopoly by the elites


4. The language of the conquerors was used in

(a) Ruling over landed elite

(b) The administration of law

(c) Colonising the other countries

(d) Creating social inclusiveness


5. Historically, minority languages were the basis of

(a) Medieval culture

(b) Cultural independence

(c) Scholarship

(d) Religious harmony



 ANSWERS 

1 - d

2 - c

3 - a

4 - b

5 - c