Question

For many years, no one could communicate with people who had been born without hearing. These deaf people were not able to use a spoken language. But, beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using this language, they could share thoughts and ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language. How did this sign language work? The deaf were taught to make certain movements using their hands, faces, and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. People might move their forefingers across their lips. This

meant, “You are not telling the truth.” They might tap their chins with three fingers. This meant “my uncle.” The deaf were also taught to use a finger alphabet. They used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute. Sign language and finger spelling are not used as much as they once were. Today, the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are also taught how to speak.
46. In the 1700s, the deaf were taught ____.
A. to speak B. sign language C. to watch others D. move their fingers across their lips
47. A tap on the chin with three fingers means____.
A. “hello.” B. “come on.” C. “I have a toothache.” D. “my uncle.”
48. How did sign language help the deaf? A. It helped them learn to read.
B. The deaf could understand body movements made by normal people.
C. It helped them communicate with other people. D. It helped them spell out words.
49. Why are sign language and finger spelling not used as much as they used to?
A. Because there are other ways to help the deaf communicate.
B. Because it is difficult to use a finger alphabet.
C. Because the speed of 130 words per minute is too difficult for most deaf people.
D. Because sign language and finger spelling have no sound.
50. What is the main idea of the passage you’ve read?
A. How the deaf people communicate. B. Learning to spell.
C. Teaching the deaf to speak. D. A comparison of sign language and finger spelling

Answer 1

46. In the 1700s, the deaf were taught B. sign language.

47. A tap on the chin with three fingers means D. “my uncle.”

48. How did sign language help the deaf?

C. It helped them communicate with other people.

49. Why are sign language and fingerspelling not used as much as they used to?

A. Because there are other ways to help the deaf communicate.

50. What is the main idea of the passage you’ve read?

A. How the deaf people communicate.

Step-by-step explanation:

46. In the 1700s, the deaf learned sign language. We can see this when the text says, "The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language."

47. A tap on the chin with three fingers means my uncle. It was after the explanation of how body language works. After that, there are two examples: the first one describes the sign that meant you are not telling the truth, and the second example describes the sign for my uncle. The text says, -They might tap their chins with three fingers. This meant “my uncle”-

48. Sign language helped the deaf to communicate with other people. As it says at the beginning of the text, before the 1700s, deaf people could not communicate because they could not use spoken language. Then, with sign language, they could express themselves and interact with others.

49. Sign language and fingerspelling are not used as much as they used to because there are other ways for deaf people to communicate. These ways are: understand others by watching their lips and teach deaf people how to speak. The text says, "Sign language and fingerspelling are not used as much as they once were. Today, the deaf are taught to understand others by watching their lips. They are also taught how to speak."

50. The main idea of the text is how deaf people communicate. The text describes: how deaf learned sign language to express themselves, the use of fingerspelling, and the most common ways that deaf people use today to understand and to interact with others, which are watching the speaker's lips and learning how to speak. In conclusion, they are all ways that deaf people use to communicate.