Question

English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA，Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Ireland and Canada. However，English is spoken all over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.

English is also an international language in many other countries，like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business，and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English，listening to British or American music or watching American films.

English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don’t come from those countries. People in Japan and Korea，for example，may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.

English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British，American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone in the world. So，as a middle school student of English today, think about how you can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.

1.In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the passage?

A. Five.                       B. Four.                                C. Three.                    D. Six.

2.In which other countries is English spoken as a main language?

A. Britain, the USA and Australia.

B. India, Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

C. China and Japan.

D. New Zealand and Canada.

3. People from other countries learn English for ________.

A. passing exams                                            

B. business and traveling

C. reading English books, enjoying English music or films

D. both B and C

4.Even if people in Japan and Korea use American spelling they ________.

A. will speak the same as Americans                   

B. may not sound like Americans

C. will speak British English                                    

D. will speak English much better

5. Which is the best title for the passage?

A. A First Language in the World                           B. A Second Language in the World

C. English around the World                                  D. A Useful Language

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.D

4.B

5.C

【解析】

试题解析:本文大意：在美国、英国、澳大利亚、新西兰、爱尔兰和加拿大多数人将英语做为第一语言，在60多个国家里包括印度、新加坡和许多加勒比海和大西洋岛国是主要语言，在这些国家里英语是第二语言。在中国和日本这样的国家里，英语也是国际语言。这些国家的人们因商务使用英语，旅行者们到这些国家到那儿交流使用英语。其他人学英语可能因为他们喜欢读英语书、听英美音乐或看美语电影。日本和韩国的人，可以用美语拼读但听不起不像美国人。英语不再属于英、美、澳国家的使用者，它属于全世界的。

1.细节理解题。根据English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA，Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Ireland and Canada.在美国、英国、澳大利亚、新西兰、爱尔兰和加拿大多数人将英语做为第一语言，可知答案选D。

2.细节理解题。根据It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands.在60多个国家里包括印度、新加坡和许多加勒比海和大西洋岛国是主要语言，可知答案选B。

3.细节理解题。根据 People in these countries use it for business，and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English，listening to British or American music or watching American films. 这些国家的人们因商务使用英语，旅行者们到这些国家到那儿交流使用英语。其他人学英语可能因为他们喜欢读英语书、听英美音乐或看美语电影，可知答案选D。

4.细节理解题。根据 People in Japan and Korea，for example，may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.例如，日本和韩国的人，可以用美语拼读但听不起不像美国人，可知答案选B。

5.细节理解题。根据However，English is spoken all over the world.然而，全世界在讲英语，可知答案选C。

考点：文化类短文阅读。