Passage 1

There are more than five thousand languages spoken today. They are so different that most of them are mutually unintelligible. That’s why we need a lot of translators and interpreters.
    We are all intimately familiar with at least one language, yet few of us ever stop to consider what we know about our language and linguistic competence. Many of them even barely know the definition of language.
    We may say that language is a tool of communication. But if language is defined merely as that, then language is not unique to humans. We know birds, bees, whales, and most other creatures communicate in some way.
    A basic property of human language is its creative aspect, that is, a speaker’s ability to combine the basic linguistic units to form an infinite set of grammatical sentences.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a lot of work ahead of us, and I plan to share my responsibilities with the leaders of all the countries in the world. I will endeavor to ensure that we make an excellent team.
    This team will encourage greater unity within the United Natiohs and among all the countries. We will pay priority attention to the fight to eliminate hunger and poverty from the world.
    We will also pay very special attention to a variety of issues such as climate change, the energy crisis, terrorism, and the rights of women and children.
    Of course, all of the other very important issues will also receive all the attention they deserve. Once again, I would like to extend my very warm thanks to you all.