Question

A student is learning to speak British English. He wonders: Can I communicate with Americans? Can they understand me? Learners of English often ask: What are the differences between British and American English? How important are these differences?

Certainly, there are some differences between British and American English. There are a few differences in grammar. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and "Have you a pen?” , Americans say “in the hospital” and ‘Do you have a pen?’.Pronunciation is sometimes different. Americans usually sound theirs in words like “bird” and “hurt”. Speakers of British English do not sound theirs in these words. There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour” and “honour” are British, “color” and “honor” are American.

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

1.According to this passage, a student who is learning to speak American English might be afraid that __________.

A．British people cannot understand him	B．American people cannot understand him
C．the grammar is too hard for him	D．the spelling is too hard for him

2. American English and British English are different in __________.

A．spelling

B．pronunciation

C．grammar

D．all of the above

3.What is NOT mentioned(提及) in the passage?

A．Whether there are differences between British English and American English.

B．Whether British English and American English are one language or two.

C．How the differences between British English and American English came about.

D．How important the differences are.

4.Most __________ say “Do you have a watch?”

A．British people

B．Americans

C．children

D．teachers

5.According to this passage, British people and Americans have __________ difficulty in understanding each other.

A．little

B．much

C．some

D．great

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.B

5.A 

【解析】文章介绍了美国英语和英国英语之间的差别。

1.A 推理题。根据第一段1,2行的两个问题可知学美国英语的学生担心英国人不能理解他的意思。故A正确。

2.D 细节题。根据文章第二段可知美国英语和英国英语在拼写，语法和发音方面都有区别，故D正确。

3.C 细节题。第二段第一句there are some differences between British and American English可知A提及了。在文章最后一句British and American English are the same language.说明B提及了。第三段第一句These differences in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary are not important说明D提及了，唯独这些区别是怎么产生的，文章没有提及，故C符合要求。

4.B 推理题。根据第二段3,4行Americans say “in the hospital” and ‘Do you have a pen?’说明这样的问法应该是美国人问的。故B正确。

5.A 推理题。根据文章最后一句For the most part, British and American English are the same language.说明这是一种语言，那么这两国人都可以很容易地理解对方的意思。故A正确。