Прочитай текст и выполни задания 12–18. В каждом задании запиши в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному варианту ответа.
The language of the Inca
Before the rise of the formidable Inca Empire, the people of the Andes spoke a variety of different languages, which grew all the more diverse through the natural evolution of regional dialects over the centuries. As the empire flourished, the Inca rulers imposed the use of one "official" language among their subjects to aid their expansion efforts. For this purpose, they chose one of the more prominent language variants in the region: Quechua.
While the empire's subjects were encouraged to speak Quechua, also known as Runa Simi ("language of the people"), those in high Inca society spoke Qhapaq Simi ("royal language"). It is believed that this either derived from or was closely related to Puquina, a now-extinct language of the Tiwanaku Empire (6th–10th century AD). Inca nobles believed that they were descendants of the Tiwanaku, and that this elevated them above the commoners they ruled over.
For an empire that stretched the length of the Andes, governed millions of people, and built masterful structures, it may be surprising to learn that the Inca had no writing system. It wasn't until Spanish conquistadors reached Peru in the 16th century that efforts were made to document Quechua when some Spaniards began interpreting the locals' speech with the Latin alphabet.
While the Inca didn't have a writing system of their own, they kept records in other ways. With intricate knotted strings called khipus, the Inca could collect and share information, such as censuses and tax collections. Recent research suggests that khipus may have recorded more than just simple data — they could have documented all manner of laws, rituals, and histories in their elaborate patterns of knots that we just haven't learned to interpret yet.
The same may be true of Inca pottery and textiles. The Inca painted detailed designs on their qirus (ceremonial drinking vessels), some of which depict narrative scenes — perhaps showing historical events or key figures in Inca society. It has also been suggested that the geometric patterns of tocapus (square motifs often woven into or embroidered onto tunics) could be interpreted as glyphs, although this is still debated among researchers. Unfortunately, in both cases, we do not yet have enough evidence to fully understand the true nature of these designs.
The use of Quechua was initially tolerated by the Spanish, but towards the end of the 18th century it was suppressed after an indigenous rebellion in Peru. Even after the Latin American nations achieved independence, centuries of a colonial rule meant that Spanish would also remain a "language of the people" for the former Inca Empire.
Today, it's estimated that as many as 10 million people across the central Andes speak Quechua, and it is recognised as an official language in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. However, Spanish remains the dominant language in these countries, particularly in the cities and — crucially — in politics. This inevitably leads to a pro-Spanish bias in policymaking, and Quechua speakers can find themselves facing institutionalised discrimination as a result. For example, it can be very difficult for people who only speak Quechua to access healthcare, social services, or legal aid, since doctors, social workers, and lawyers often only speak Spanish.
Efforts to encourage bilingual education in schools have had mixed results. Quechua is predominantly spoken in rural areas, and if children have the opportunity, they focus on Spanish, as it improves their chances of upward social mobility. Quechua-Spanish bilingual students often only speak Spanish while at university in order to fit in. According to a study at the National University of Saint Anthony, the Abad in Cusco, Peru, more than 30% of its students speak Quechua as their mother tongue, but only around 2% of them continue to speak Quechua while they are at university.
Progress is being made, however. In recent years, Peru has seen the first Quechua news programme, the first court ruling written entirely in Quechua, and student Roxana Quispe Collantes made history by writing and defending her doctoral thesis in Quechua. As campaigners continue to raise awareness of the socio-economic issues faced by indigenous speakers, it is hoped that these historic milestones for the Quechua language are the first of many more.
12. The one official Inca language was introduced because...
the conquerors who came to the Andes spoke one language.
almost all the people in the Andes already spoke one language.
it would help in the conquest of other lands.
it helped to understand the people from the countries they were going to conquer next.
[ ]
13. Why did the Inca elite speak Qhapaq Simi?
It was the language of their ancestors.
The language was a sign of social hierarchy.
They only knew Puquina, which was similar to Qhapaq Simi.
They didn't want to talk to the commoners.
[ ]
14. The Quechua writing system in its traditional sense...
appeared between the 6th and 10th centuries.
appeared in the 16th century.
appeared in the 18th century.
hasn't appeared yet.
[ ]
15. According to the text, what are NOT the ways of how the Incas passed on the information?
They illustrated it on dishes.
They drew sophisticated patterns on cloth.
They used strings and knots.
They wrote geometric patterns on the walls.
[ ]
16. Today, the people in the Andes who only know Quechua...
can't talk to each other because there are many dialects.
don't understand government policies.
can't get proper medical care.
can't become doctors, social workers, or lawyers.
[ ]
17. Most children prefer to speak...
Spanish in order to have a better life.
Spanish to study at university.
Quechua because their parents speak this language.
Quechua because most children live in rural areas where it is widely spoken.
[ ]
18. Which action was NOT taken to save Quechua?
A new TV programme was started.
Quechua was officially used in one of the institutions of law.
The university introduced the first undergraduate program in Quechua.
A student wrote an academic paper in Quechua.
[ ]