Question

About five to seven million people who lived in England spoke English at the end of the 16th century.  Later in the next century, people from England overcame other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries. Today, more people speak English as their first, second or a foreign language than ever before.

Look at this example:

British Betty: Would you like to see my flat?

American Amy: Yes. I’d like to come up to your apartment.

So why has English changed over time? All languages change and develop when cultures meet. At first the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today. It was based more on German than the English we speak at present. Then between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those who ruled England spoke first Danish and later French. These new settlers improved the English language and especially its vocabulary. So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of a wider vocabulary than ever before.

Finally by the 19th century the language was settled. At that time two big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language. The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.

English now is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia. For example, India has a very large number of fluent English speakers because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education. Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly.

1.When did English begin to be spoken in many other countries?

A. In 16^th century.

B. In 17^th century.

C. In 18^th century.

D. In 19^th century.

2.Shakespeare could use a wider vocabulary than ever before because English_______.

A. developed when new settlers came to Britain

B. was based on Germany during the 5^th century

C. became the language for government and education

D. was spoken wide all over the world

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. British settlers moved to America in the 18^th.

B. It’s easy for Chinese people speak fluent English.

C. English once became the official language in India.

D. English was influenced by Danish invaders in AD 450 .

4.What showed the differences of American English spelling?

A. Samuel Johnson’s dictionary     B. Shakespeare’s books

C. French ruler’s language         D. Noah Webster’s dictionary

5.For what purpose does the author write the passage?

A. To settle English in many countries.

B. To understand English-speaking people.

C. To describe the development of English.

D. To tell people changes of American English.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.C

4.D

5.C

【解析】

试题分析:这篇文章主要介绍了英语的发展。最初英语更多的以德语为基础，后来的英国统治者说丹麦语和法语，这一切都丰富了英语。英语的真正定形是在20世纪，两本词典的编撰。现在英语在全世界都拥有许多使用者和学习者。

1.B 细节理解题。根据第一段的Later in the next century, people from England overcame other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries.可知，英语是在16世纪的下一个世纪即17世纪开始在其他国家被说的，故选择B。

2.A 细节理解题。根据倒数第三段的These new settlers improved the English language and especially its vocabulary.可知，由于新的统治者又丰富了英语才使得莎士比亚能够使用很大的词汇量。故选择A。

3.C 细节理解题。根据最后一段的because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education.可知，英国从1765至1947年统治印度，在那段时间里，英语成为印度的官方语言，故选择C。

4.D 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的At that time two big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language. The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.可知，Noah Webster编写的《美国英语词典》体现了美式英语拼写的不同，故选择D。

5.

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