Question

British English and American English

A student is studying British English. He wonders: Can I have a talk with Americans? Can they catch me? Learners of English often ask--what are the differences between British English and American English? How important are these differences?

Certainly, there are some differences between British English and American English. There are a few differences in grammar（语法）. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and “Have you a pen?” Americans “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen?” Pronunciation (发音) is sometimes different. Americans usually sound the “r” in words like “car”and “farm”. Some speakers of British English do not sound the “r” in these words. There are differences between British English and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour”and “honour” are British English spellings. “Color” and “honor” are American English spellings.

These differences are in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary. However, they are not important. For the most part, British English and American English are the same language.

1.In American English, we can say, “      ? ”

A．Have you a new book

B．Do you have a new book

C．Are you have a new book

D．Can you to have a new book

2.Between British English and American English, sometimes pronunciation is        .

A．poor             B．different          C．high              D．short

3.In American English, the word “favourite”can be spelt      .

A．favoruite          B．favurite           C．favorite           D．favrite

4.Englishmen say “in hospital”, while Americans say        .

A．at the hospital                          B．in the hospital

C．by hospital                            D．to hospital

5.The main idea of the passage is that                  .

A．there are no differences between British English and American English

B．British English and American English are two different languages

C．speakers of British English and American English speak the same language

D．we shouldn't speak English

Answer

1.B

2.B

3.C

4.B

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：这篇文章讲了英式英语和美式英语在语法，发音，拼写和词汇方面有一些区别，但是它们仍然是同一种语言。

1.细节题。根据文章Americans “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen?”可知，美式英语说“Do you have a new book”？你有一本新书吗？故选B

2.细节题。根据文章Pronunciation (发音) is sometimes different.可知，美式英语和英式英语有时候发音有些不同。故选B

3.细节题。根据文章For example, “colour”and “honour” are British English spellings. “Color” and “honor” are American English spellings.可知，美式英语有些单词拼写是省略U，所以，favourite的美式英语拼写为favorite。故选C

4.细节题。根据文章可知，英式英语说“in hospital”，而美式英语说“in the hospital”。故选

5.主旨题。这篇文章讲了英式英语和美式英语在语法，发音，拼写和词汇方面有一些区别，但是它们仍然是同一种语言。故选C

考点：社会历史类说明文