Question

British English and American English

A student is studying British English. He wonders: Can I have a talk with Americans? Can they catch me? Learners of English often ask--what are the differences between British English and American English? How important are these differences?

Certainly, there are some differences between British English and American English. There are a few differences in grammar（语法）. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and “Have you a pen?” Americans “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen?” Pronunciation (发音) is sometimes different. Americans usually sound the “r” in words like “car”and “farm”. Some speakers of British English do not sound the “r” in these words. There are differences between British English and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour”and “honour” are British English spellings. “Color” and “honor” are American English spellings.

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

1.In American English, we can say, “      ? ”

A．Have you a new book

B．Do you have a new book

C．Are you have a new book

D．Can you to have a new book

2.Between British English and American English, sometimes pronunciation is        .

A．poor             B．different          C．high              D．short

3.In American English, the word “favourite”can be spelt      .

A．favoruite          B．favurite           C．favorite           D．favrite

4.Englishmen say “in hospital”, while Americans say        .

A．at the hospital                          B．in the hospital

C．by hospital                            D．to hospital

5.The main idea of the passage is that                  .

A．there are no differences between British English and American English

B．British English and American English are two different languages

C．speakers of British English and American English speak the same language

D．we shouldn't speak English

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.B

2.B

3.C

4.B

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：这篇短文主要谈到了英国英语和美国英语之间的一点差别，但是归根到底他们还是同一种语言。

1.根据第二段Americans “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen?”描述，可知选B。

2.根据第二段Pronunciation (发音) is sometimes different. 及下文描述，可知有时英美英语发音是不同的，故选B。

3.根据第二段For example, “colour”and “honour” are British English spellings. “Color” and “honor”描述，可知美国人习惯把our品写成or，故选C。

4.根据第二段For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” ……Americans “in the hospital” ……描述，可知选B。

5.这篇短文主要谈到了英国英语和美国英语之间的一点差别，但是归根到底他们还是同一种语言。故选C。

考点：关于英国英语和美国英语的说明文阅读

点评：本文浅显易懂，层次分明，学生很容易把握文章中心内容。答题中注意带着问题阅读短文，一般就能顺利找出答题依据。对于不能直接找到根据的问题注意联系上下文，根据短文中心总结出正确答案。