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.American English and British English are different in ___ _____.

A. spelling     B. pronunciation

C. grammar      D. all of the above

2.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.

3. Most _____ say “Do you have a watch?”

A. British people B. Americans

C. children       D. teachers

4.According to this passage, British people and Americans have _______ difficulty in understanding each other.

A. little             B. much             C. some            D. great

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.B

4.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要是对英式英语与美式英语之间的差异进行了分析，最后说明英式英语与美式英语在沟通中基本无障碍。

1. differences in grammar, pronunciation, spelling可知语法，发音，拼写方面都有差异。故选D

2. are the differences between .. How important are these differences?及British and American English are the same language.可知只有差异是如何产生的是没有提及到的。故选C

3. say “in the hospital!” and “Do you have a pen?可知美国人会说“Do you have a watch。故选B

4. the most part, British and American English are the same language.

可知英式英语和美式英语很大程度上是一样的，所以几乎不存在什么交流困难。故选A

考点：考查说明类阅读