Question

    All languages change over time, but some change at a faster speed than others.1. One is about people who always use it. Another is about the importance of the language among different areas, such as world communication and changes in technology. In the past, other languages like Latin or French were more important than English. 2. English is spoken by about 350 million people as a first language in countries and about a billion more people as a second language.

English started to take the place of French as an international language during the period of British colonialism（殖民主义）.3. The colonial period came to an end while some other changes happened. New ways of communication technology like television and the Internet make English worldwide.4.They could use the Internet for information, business, or e-mail in English. Just as the use of English spread, other languages changed English by new inventions and technology.

Icelandic（冰岛语）has changed very slowly. Why? Because Iceland is an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.5. Today, most Icelanders speak English and Icelandic.

A. What are the reasons?

B. These changes influence the development of society.

C. People could watch news or programs in English everywhere.

D. English was the primary way to communicate in these colonies.

E. However, today English is the most widely used language in the world.

F. It meant Icelanders had little connect with speakers of other languages for many years.

Answer

1.A

2.E

3.D

4.C

5.F

【解析】

本文主要讲述了关于语言的演变，有的语言演变较快，而有的则演变较慢。文章例举了英语和冰岛语两个例子，讲述了英语从殖民时期至今的演变历程，英语在当代发挥着越来越重要的作用，而冰岛语由于地理位置与外界比较隔绝，因此演变较慢。

1.句意：原因是什么？

根据下文“One is about people who always use it. Another is about the importance of the language among different areas”可知，此处是在解释原因。故选A。

2.句意：然而，今天英语是世界上使用最广泛的语言。

根据“in the past, Latin or French were more important”和“English is spoken by about 350 million people as a first language in countries”可知，在过去拉丁语和法语更重要，但是今天说英语的人有350百万，可知中间有一个转折，E选项中的however以及内容符合题意。故选E。

3.句意：英语是这些殖民地最主要的交流方式。

根据这一段的关键词colonialism先将答案定位到D，再根据D选项中的primary way和原文中的new ways of communication，形成对比，符合原文逻辑。故选D。

4.句意：人们可以在任何地方看英语新闻或节目。

根据前文“New ways of communication technology like television and the Internet make English worldwide.”和后文“They could use the Internet for information, business, or e-mail in English.”可知，关键词为television和Internet。故选C。

5.句意：这意味着冰岛人多年来很少与说其他语言的人联系。

根据关键词Icelandic，定位到F选项，联系上文“Icelandic has changed very slowly”可知冰岛语变化很慢，因为冰岛位于大西洋中部，这意味着冰岛人和说其他语言的人交流很少。故选F。