English is the native or official language of one-fifth of the land area of the world. It is spoken in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In South Africa and India it is one of the official languages.

More people study English than any other language. In many countries, the textbooks in universities are in English. Many university classes are taught in English even though the native language is not English.

English is the language of international communication. It is the language of international business, research, and science. More than three-fourths of the world’s mail is written in English. More than half of the scientific research journals are in English. Most other languages have borrowed many English words.

Why did English become the international language? In the middle of the nineteenth century, French was the international language. The Britain became very powerful in the world. England started colonies in North America and India in the seventeenth century. By 1900 England also had colonies in other parts of Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. The people in the colonies had to use English. Slowly it became more important than French internationally. After the Second World War, the United States became very powerful, and even more people began to learn English.

Is English a good international language? It has more words than any other language. The grammar is simpler than in other major languages. However, English spelling is difficult. Foreigners all have trouble spelling English. So do native speakers!

Since 1880, people have invented over fifty artificial (not natural) languages. No one speaks them as a native language. However, none of them has ever become popular. Some people don’t want to study English, but it is the international language. There is no way to change that now.

1.English is the native language of ______.

A．South Africa

B．Australia

C．All of Canada

D．Malaysia

2.England started a colony in India in the ______.

A．1600s

B．1800s

C．1700s

D．1900s

3.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the text?

A．The English grammar is simple in general.

B．It has a good vocabulary.

C．Its pronunciation sounds pleasant.

D．It is difficult to spell correctly.

4.The author concludes that____.

A．it is necessary to invent a new language.

B．English is the international language whether you like it or not

C．English is much better than other languages

D．English should be spoken all over the world

 

One Canada, two languages

　　Canada is one of the few nations in the world to have two official languages：English and French. There are 10 provinces in the country but only one of these--Quebec（魁北克省）--is known as“French Canada”. This is because it was founded by French explorers while British adventurers discovered the rest.

　　Canada left the British Empire in 1867 to become an independent country, and English and French have been recognized as the official languages ever since.

　　Most people speak English as their first language and the two national television net works broadcast in English throughout the country.

　　Apart from in Quebec and a few places on the east coast, French television is very rare.

　　The same goes for traffic signs and menus（菜单）, for example. Outside of Quebec, there are only a few places where you'll see traffic signs in French. And in restaurants, it's almost impossible to find French on the menu unless you are in the heartland of French Canada．However, all products sold in Canada must, by law, have labels and instructions in both languages.

　　In Canada' s English speaking provinces, official bilingualism（双语）means that students can choose to complete a special French language course. Under this programme, they are taught most of their subjects in French. If a student begins the course in kinder garten or Grade One, it is likely that all their lessons will be in French. However, if they start at junior high school, 25 percent of the teaching will continue to be in English.

(1)In Canada, English is widely spoken in ________ provinces.

[　　]

(2)In Quebec and a few places on the east coast, ________ .

[　　]

A．English television is common

B．French television is very rare

C．traffic signs and menus are all in English

D．traffic signs and menus are all in French

(3)According to the last paragraph, if someone wanted to be taught most of his subjects in French, he ________ .

[　　]

阅读理解

　　English is the native or official language of one-fifth of the land area of the world. It is spoken in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. In South Africa and India it is one of the official languages.

　　More people study English than any other language. In many countries, the textbooks in universities are in English. Many university classes are taught in English even though the native language is not English.

　　English is the language of international communication. It is the language of international business and science. More than three-fourths of the world’s mail is written in English. More than half of the scientific research journals are in English. Most other languages have borrowed many English words.

　　Why did English become the international language? In the middle of the nineteenth century, French was the international language. Then Britain became very powerful in the world. England started colonies in North America and India in the seventeenth century. By 1900 England also had colonies in other parts of Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. The people in the colonies had to use English. Slowly it became more important than French internationally. After the Second World War, the United States became very powerful, and even more people began to learn English.

　　Is English a good international language? It has more words than any other language. The grammar is simpler than in the other major languages. However, English spelling is difficult. Foreigners all have trouble spelling English. So do native speakers!

　　Since 1880, people have invented over fifty artificial (notnatural) languages. No one speaks them as a native language. However, none of them has ever become popular. Some people don’t want to study English, but it is the international language. There is no way to change that now.

1．English is the native language of ________.

[　　]

2．English started a colony in India in the ________.

[　　]

3．Is English a good international language?

[　　]

A．The English grammar is simple in general.

B．It has a great vocabulary

C．Its pronunciation sounds pleasant.

D．It is difficult to spell correctly.

4．The author concludes that ________.

[　　]

A．It is necessary to invent a new language

B．English is the international language whether you like it or net

C．English is much better than other languages

D．English should be spoken all over the world.