Question

    The English language is changing, and you are responsible! Whether we consider changes in grammar, spelling, pronunciation, or the very vocabulary of the language, you have played your part and continue to do so.

When we first learned basic grammar and spelling, perhaps in elementary school, we might have gotten the impression that these things were sacred. The rules that apply to such things might have been presented as unchanging and unchangeable. While this approach might be beneficial for teaching children, it is far from accurate.

The English language, like many others, is a living, growing, ever-evolving thing. Like it or not, you are involved in this change. These changes take many forms. Grammar and spelling have changed radically over the years and centuries, with the spelling differences in different countries today a reflection of this. While the language of a thousand years ago might be called English, most of us would hardly recognize it today as the same language.

The first involves changes in the pronunciation of words. Many are familiar with the differences between the British and American ways of pronouncing certain words. In addition to these differences, the pronunciation of many words has changed over the years because of how you have decided to pronounce them. For example, consider the word "err." The traditional pronunciation of this word rhymes with the word "her." However in recent years, more and more people have been pronouncing it so that it sounds like "air."

Another change in the language involves the addition and removal of words. The makers of dictionaries decide which words deserve to be officially adopted as part of the English language. Through the centuries, many words have come from other languages. In fact, English has probably done this more than any other language in the world, which is why spelling and pronunciation rules for English have so many exceptions.

Of course many slang words have been just short-lived fads that have died out quickly. Others,though, have been adopted by mainstream society and become respectable, as have many technical terms. So then remember, the next time you repeat the newest expression to hit the street, or make up your own words, you may be contributing to the future of the English language.

1.When we begin to learn English, we think        .

A.it is interesting to take up a new language

B.grammar and spelling rules are unchangeable

C.only grown-ups have the ability to affect a language

D.English rules are wrongly presented in fact

2.The pronunciation of words are changing because        .

A.people speak in different ways B.the British don’t agree with others

C.people adopted foreign words D.makers of dictionaries created them

3.Which of the following statement about English slang words is True?

A.All the slang words have become standard English.

B.English slang words are popular for a short time.

C.Some slang words have been accepted.

D.English slang words have different meanings actually.

4.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A.You can change the English language.

B.English is changing over years.

C.The British speaks differently from Americans.

D.Foreign words involved in English.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.C

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了英语这一语言一直在变化，而在这个变化中，我们每个人都起着作用，无论从语法、拼写、发音或语言词汇的变化，而且我们并将继续这样做。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段的When we first learned basic grammar and spelling, perhaps in elementary school, we might have gotten the impression that these things were sacred. The rules that apply to such things might have been presented as unchanging and unchangeable. 可知，在我们开始学英语的时候，我们认为语法和拼写规则是不可以改变的。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段的In addition to these differences, the pronunciation of many words has changed over the years because of how you have decided to pronounce them. 可知，单词的发音在变化是因为人们说话的方式不同。故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据最后一段的Of course many slang words have been just short-lived fads that have died out quickly. Others, though, have been adopted by mainstream society and become respectable, as have many technical terms.可知，许多俚语只是昙花一现，很快就销声匿迹了。然而，其他的词已经被主流社会所接受。故选C。

4.主旨大意题。文章开头提出英语在变，你要负责任!接下来介绍了我们是怎样从语法、拼写、发音或语言词汇对语言做出的变化。结合选项可知，选项A“你可以改变英语语言”是最佳标题。故选A。