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(气象的) 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. Being able to speak several languages.

C. It is difficult to judge because it differs for each situation.

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.

 

My husband and I arrived in a new country just a month ago. We were a bit _ __about what was waiting for us. However, when we _ ___at the airport, a tall man with smiling eyes greeted us. The days and months were _ ___made easy for us by this kind man. He greeted us every day with his smiling face. He __ ___us in going to the bank, in buying our groceries, in showing us__ __to buy almost everything. He told us he is our big brother. Twice, we __ __  the match in a coffee shop.

During the first get-together,  he __ __ us that we are lucky--- my husband and I are___ _ in this foreign land. He said he has been__ __for eight years now because he hardly sees his family,__ ___they are in his home country.

During the second get-together ,  he __ __told us that we are his family. He said that he loves us and that he will__ __us because he has been given a __ ___of 45 days to go back to his home country. That night, he spoke these words which__ ___a great effect on my life:“ You changed my life…”That night deep in our hearts we were __ ___by our friend’s words. We texted him upon reaching home,__ ___him for being a Big Brother to us in the foreign land. We told him__ __that we feel safe in going out when we are with him, to which he__ ___,“You are my family here.” On the first week of October, we’re going to_ ___him back from his vacation. We ’ll watch the football match again in that__ __shop that holds dear memories.

1.A. serious          B.  crazy          C. certain        D. worried

2.A. checked         B. dropped         C. landed        D. settled

3.A. therefore        B. instead          C. also           D. otherwise

4.A. expected        B. troubled         C. comforted      D. accompanied

5.A. when           B. where           C. why          D. whether

6.A. won            B. met             C. watched       D. played

7.A. advised         B. warned           C. blamed       D. convinced

8.A. together        B. nearby          C. around        D. apart

9.A. sick           B. lonely           C. cheerful       D. afraid

10.A. once           B. unless          C. as            D. although

11.A. secretly        B. jokingly         C. proudly        D. sincerely

12.A. hate           B. miss            C .forget         D. respect

13.A. delay          B. right            C. vacation       D. date

14.A. had           B. designed        C. solved          D. received

15.A. puzzled        B. moved         C. astonished       D. bothered

16.A. thanking       B. forgiving       C. repaying         D. punishing

17.A. after all        B. as well         C. in return         D. in advance

18.A. agreed         B. objected        C. added           D. replied

19.A. see            B. inform         C. call             D. force

20.A. book          B. grocery         C. coffee           D. sports

 

It’s only 4 hours flying time from Sydney, but a world away. What better place to rest than a country where the only place people hurry is on the football field and things are done in “Fiji time”?

Viti Levu – Great Fiji – is the largest island. Here you’ll find the capital Suva and the international airport at Nadi. Vatoa, on the other hand, is a tiny island in the farthest part of   Fiji. Then there are 331 other islands, many of them with places to stay.

With less than a million people living on islands, you’ll never feel crowded. And with a climate that changes only for five degrees between seasons, there’s never a bad time to come.

From cities to villages, from mountains to beaches, from water sports to wooden artworks, Fiji can give you more adventures and special experiences than you could find almost anywhere in the world.

Whenever you come, wherever you go, you’re sure to see some unforgettable events. From war dances to religious(宗教的) songs. From market days to religious days. It’s not just staged for tourists; it’s still a part of everyday life in Fiji. And any one of us can enjoy Fiji’s spirit by being part of the traditional sharing of yaqona, a drink made from the root of a Fiji plant.

So why not join us for the experience of a lifetime?

1. Where is the international airport of Fiji?

A.In Suva.

B.In Sydney.

C.On the island of Vatoa.

D.On the island of Viti Levu.

2.What does the text tell us about Fijian people?

A.They invented “Fiji time” for visitors.

B.They stick to a traditional way of life.

C.They like to travel from place to place.

D.They love taking adventures abroad.

3. The words “…is just staged for ”in the fifth paragraph most probably means________

A.to make sth happen

B.to organize an event for people to see

C.to take part in an action

D.to divide into some parts

4.One of the things that make Fiji a tourist attraction is _______.

A.its comfortable hotels

B.its good weather all year round

C.its exciting football matches

D.its religious beliefs

5.Where can we most probably read this text?

A.In a personal diary.

B.In a science report.

C.In a travel magazine.

D.In a geography textbook.

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网