There seems never to have been a civilization without toys, but when and how they developed
is unknown. They probably came about just to give children something to do.
In the ancient world, as is today, most boys played with some kinds of toys and most girls with
others. In societies where social roles are rigidly determined, boys pattern their play after the activities
of their fathers and girls are being prepared, even in play, to step into the roles and responsibilities
of the adult world.
What is remarkable about the history of toys is not so much how they changed over the centuries
but how much they have remained the same. The changes have been mostly in terms of craftsmanship,
mechanics, and technology. It is the universality (普遍性) of toys with regard to their development in
all parts of the world and their persistence to the present that is amazing. In Egypt, America, China,
Japan and among the Arctic (北極的) people, generally the same kinds of toys appeared. Variations
depended on local customs and ways of life because toys imitate their surroundings. Nearly every
civilization had dolls, little weapons, toy soldiers, tiny animals and vehicles.
Because toys can be generally regarded as a kind of art form, they have not been subject to
technological leaps that characterize inventions for adult use. The progress from the wheel to the
cart to the automobile is a direct line of ways up. The progress from a rattle (撥浪鼓) used by a
baby in 3,000 BC to one used by an infant today, however, is not characterized by inventiveness
(獨創性). Each rattle is the product of the artistic tastes of the times and subject to the limitations
of available materials.
1. The reason why the toys most boys play with are different from those that girls play with is that ____.
A. their social roles are rigidly determined
B. they like challenging activities
C. most boys would like to follow their fathers' professions
D. boys like to play with their fathers while girls with their mothers
2. One aspect of "the universality of toys" lies in the fact that ________.
A. the basic characteristics of toys are the same all over the world
B. technological advances have greatly improved the durability of toys
C. the exploration of the universe has led to the creation of new kinds of toys
D. the improvement of craftsmanship in making toys depends on the efforts of universities
3. Which of the following is the author's view on the historical development of toys?
A. Toys are playing an increasingly important role in shaping a child's character.
B. The toy industry has witnessed great leaps in technology in recent years.
C. The craftsmanship in toymaking has remained essentially unchanged.
D. Toys have remained basically the same all through the centuries.
4. Regarded as a kind of art form, toys ________.
A. reflect the pace of social progress
B. are not characterized by technological progress
C. follow a direct line of ascent
D. also appeal greatly to adults
5. The author uses the example of a rattle to show that ________.
A. it often takes a long time to introduce new technology into toymaking
B. even the simplest toys can reflect the progress of technology
C. even a simple toy can mirror the artistic tastes of the time
D. in toymaking there is a continuity in the use of
