The number of speakers of English in
Shakespeare’s time is estimated(估计) to have been about five million. Today it is
estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in
the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and
New Zealand. In addition to the standard varieties of English found in these
areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties of the language as
well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and
written forms.
In fact, it is impossible to estimate the number
of people in the world who have acquired an adequate(足够的) working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The
purpose for English learning and the situations in which such learning takes
place are so varied that it is difficult to explain and still more difficult to
judge what forms an adequate working knowledge for each situation.
The main reason for the widespread demand for
English is its present-day importance as a world language. Besides serving the
indefinite needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some of
important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced,
and not always by native speakers. It is widely used for such purposes as
meteorological and airport communications, international conferences, and the
spread of information over the radio and television networks of many nations.
It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries,
especially former British colonies. Many of these countries have multilingual
populations and need a language for internal communication in such matters as
government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for international
communication and for entrance to the scientific and technological developments
in the West.
1.What would be the best title for this passage?
A. The Difficulties of Learning English
B. International Communications
C. The Standard Varieties of English
D. English as a World Language
2.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. Some 260 million people in the world have an
adequate working knowledge of English.
B. There are some 260 million native speakers of
English in the world.
C. It is almost impossible to estimate the
number of people with an adequate working knowledge of English.
D. People learn English for a variety of
reasons.
3.According to the passage, what is the main
reason for the widespread use of English?
A. It was popular during Shakespeare’s time.
B. It is used in former British colonies.
C. It serves the needs of its native speakers.
D. It is a world language that is used for
international communication.
4.What forms an adequate working knowledge of
English?
A. The ability to read a newspaper.
B. It is difficult to judge because it differs
for each situation.
C. Being a multilingual.
D. Being a native speaker.
5. What type of developing countries would be
most likely to use English?
A. Those geographically close to the United
States.
B. Those interested in the culture of the United
States.
C. Former colonies of Great Britain.
D. Countries where international conferences are
held.
