“Taxi drivers”, said BOBICO staff, “are learning English to support the 2008 bid for the Olympic Games.”

Albert Selmer, a German businessman who speaks good English, was pleasantly surprised during his last trip to Beijing. When he got into a taxi on Chang’ an Avenue, the driver greeted him and asked where he would like to go in English. “This couldn’t be imagined eight years ago when I first visited Beijing,” said Selmer. Selmer wouldn’t have been so surprised, had he known so many people are learning English in this Olympic city.

Eight years ago Beijing failed in its bid for the 2000 Games. One of the reasons was that foreigners found it hard to communicate with Beijing residents (居民), most of whom speak only Chinese. This time, the city is working to improve communication. One great change has happened during Beijing’s preparations ,BOBICO officials are speaking directly in English instead of using interpreter(口译人员)as they did eight years ago.

In addition to BOBICO officials, Beijing residents are looking forward to the 2008 Games by actively learning the foreign languages. Residents are free taught useful expressions, greetings, how to give directions and how to introduce themselves. Shop assistants, bus and taxi drivers and even policemen are learning English. The young taxi driver who surprised the German visitor is probably one of these learners.

The first-stage aim of the “Beijing residents’ English Speaking Plan” started by the city government in August is to popularize English among government staff, taxi drivers, hotel staff and shop assistants. In five years the percentage of Beijing residents who can speak English will be raised to around 30 percent from the present 15 percent.

1. Why was Albert Selmer surprised when he got into the taxi?

A. Because he found the driver served him very well.

B. Because the car didn’t look the same as it did eight years ago.

C. Because the driver was very polite to him.

D. Because the driver could speak English.

2. From this passage we know that _____.

A. the main reason why Beijing failed in its bid for the 2000 Games was that there were so many people in Beijing.

B. Albert Selmer usedn’t to come to China.

C. Beijingers are taking an active part in learning English.

D. Spoken-English is the most important in our daily life.

3. More and more Beijingers are learning English in order to ________.

A. make themselves understood easily while talking to Africans

B. make the English the official language in China

C. match the modern development

D. support the bid for the 2008 Olympics

4. What does the underlined word “free” mean probably?

A. Costing nothing         B. Not busy

C. Paying for some money    D. Be able to do as one wants

5. If more and more Beijingers can talk with foreigners in English,______.

A. they will learn more about the Olympic Games

B. they will be given a hand in trouble

C. it will help Beijing’s 2008 bid

D. it will be bad for interpreters

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