Everyday, 340 million people speak it. One billion people are learning it and it is said that by 2050, half of the world’s population will be using it. What are we talking about? That global language—English.
The English language started in Britain in the 5th century. It is a mixed language. It was built up when German. Scandinavian and French invaders settled in England and created a common language for communication.
Today it is the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Ireland as well as many islands in the Caribbean . Many other countries and regions use it for politics and business, for example, India. Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines. English is also one of the official languages of Hong Kong.
But global advertising and pop music mean that in most countries, you will see or hear some English. Thanks to McDonalds, we all know about "burgers". "fries" and "milkshakes". Songs by Madonna, Britney Spears and Celine Dion are in English. We can sing along, even if we do not understand what we are singing!
English is a messy (杂乱的) language. Every year, dictionaries include new words that talk about popular culture, for example, computer-related words such as "blogging", "download" and "chatroom". Also included are words that teenagers use. Who does not know "cool", "OK" and “hello” ?
Other languages also influence English. Many English words come from French. Words like "cafe" and expressions like "c'est la vie" (that is life) are all part of the English language. On the other hand, the French language includes English words like "le weekend" and "le camping". German words are also part of English. Words like "kindergarten" come from the German language.
Recently, British people have become interested in "yoga". But the word comes from an ancient Hindu language in India.
1.The English language has a history of ______.
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A．over 2000 years |
B．over 500 years |
C．over 1500 years |
D．over 1000 years |
2.The underlined expression “thanks to ” can be replaced by ______.
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A．because of |
B．thankful to |
C．not until |
D．as if. |
3.Which of the following statements is true about the language of English ?
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A．It has been changing all the time. |
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B．It has borrowed words from all the other languages. |
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C．French words are used by the English because dictionaries have French words. |
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D．Singers and film stars have the greatest influence on language. |
4. Many countries and regions use it for politics and business except______.
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A．the USA |
B．Nigeria |
C．the Philippines |
D．Norway |
Do you know 21 languages there are in the world? There are about 1500, but many of them aren’t very 22 . English is one of the most important languages because many people 23 it, not only in England and America, 24 in other countries of world. About 375000000 people speak it 25 their own language, and another 375000000 use it as 26 language. It is 27 to say how many people are learning it. 28 boys and girls in schools are trying to do so.
Many English children study French. French is also a very important language. 29 children study German, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.
What is the best 30 to learn a language? We know that we all learnt 31 language well when we were 32 . If we learn a second language in the 33 way, it won’t seem so difficult. What does a small child do? It 34 what people say, and it tries to guess what it hears. When it wants something, it has to 35 it. It is using the language, 36 in it and talking in it all the time. If people use a second language 37 , they will learn it 38 .
In school, you learn to read, to write, to hear and to speak. It is best to learn all new words
through the 39 .You can read them, spell them and 40 them later.
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16.speaking B. writing C. thinking D. doing
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Bill __________ his wife that he ________ when the fire broke out.
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A．tells, is sleeping |
B．told, was sleeping |
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C．told, slept |
D．had told, had slept |
Copy the expression ___________, please, without any changes.
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A．as it is |
B．such as it is |
C．what it is |
D．so it is |
–Don’t forget to turn to me if you have any trouble.
-- ______________.
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A．I don’t |
B．I won’t |
C．I can’t |
D．I haven’t |
The film is ________ a novel by D.H.Lawrence.
A. depended on B. based on C. come on D. put on
