Question

A student is learning to speak British English. He wonders (想知道): 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

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文是一篇说明文。英式英语和美式英语有很多相同之处，也有很多不同之处。本文从读音，拼写及常用语几个方面分析说明了英式英语和美式英语的不同之处。

1.A考察细节辨析。A student is learning to speak British English. He wonders (想知道): Can I communicate with Americans? Can they understand me?学习英式英语的学生通常会想：我能够和美国人交流吗？他们会理解我吗？故答案为A选项。

2.D考察细节辨析。根据第二段中， Pronunciation is sometimes different.“读音有时是不同的”；There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary.“英式英语和美式英语之间拼写和词汇方面有很大的不同。”可知答案为D选项。

3.C考查文章结构。通读全文，概括文章大意，第一段开门见山地介绍文章内容；第二段举例说明英式英语和美式英语的区别；第三段总结概括内容。所以答案为C选项。

4.

考点：考查说明文阅读