It was an early morning in summer. In the streets, sleepy-eyed people were moving quickly, heading towards their __1__. This was the beginning of another 2___ day in New York City. 3__ this day was to be different.
   Waiting 4___ the crowded streets, on top of a 5____ 110 stories high, was Philippe Petit. This daring Frenchman was about to 6___ a tightrope (绷索) between the two towers of the World Trade Center.
 Philippe took his first 7____ with great care. The wire held. Now he was 8____ he could do it. 9____ only a balancing pole, Philippe walked his way across, a 10___ of 131 feet.
  Soon the rush-hour 11 began to notice. What a 12 ! There, 1350 feet above the street ,a 13 figure was walking on air .
  Philippe made seven 14 , back and forth(来回). He wasn't satisfied with just 15. At times, he would turn, sit down, and 16 go on his knees. Once, he had the astonishing 17 to lie down on the thin thread. And thousands of 18 watchers stared with their hearts beating fast.
  After the forty-five -minute 19, Philippe was taken to the police station. He was asked 20 he did it. Philippe shrugged(耸肩) and said, "When I see two tall buildings, I walk".
  1.A. jobs     B. homes     C. buses     D. offices
  2.A.working    B. hot      C. same      D. ordinary
  3.A.And      B. So       C. But      D. Thus
  4.A.for      B. in       C. by       D. above
  5.A.roof      B. position    C. wall      D. building
  6.A.throw     B. walk      C. climb     D. fix
  7.A.act      B. landing    C. step      D. trip
  8.A.sure      B. uncertain   C. glad      D. nervous
  9.A.Through    B. Against    C. With      D. On
  10.A.distance    B. height     C. space     D. rope
  11.A.streets    B. crowds     C. passengers   D. city
  12.A.height     B. pleasure    C. wonder     D. danger
  13.A.great     B. strange    C. public     D. tiny
  14.A.experiments  B. circles    C. trips      D. movements
  15.A.walking    B. staying    C. acting     D. showing
  16.A.almost     B. even      C. often     D. rather
  17.A.spirit     B. result     C. strength    D. courage
  18.A.patient    B. terrified    C. pleased     D. enjoyable
  19.A.show      B. trick     C. try       D. program
  20.A.how      B. why      C. whether    D. when

 

Everyday, 340 million people speak it. One billion people are learning it and it is said that by 2050, half of the world’s population will be using it. What are we talking about? That global language—English.

The English language started in Britain in the 5th century. It is a mixed language. It was built up when German. Scandinavian and French invaders settled in England and created a common language for communication.

Today it is the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Ireland as well as many islands in the Caribbean . Many other countries and regions use it for politics and business, for example, India. Pakistan, Nigeria and the Philippines. English is also one of the official languages of Hong Kong.

But global advertising and pop music mean that in most countries, you will see or hear some English. Thanks to McDonalds, we all know about "burgers". "fries" and "milkshakes". Songs by Madonna, Britney Spears and Celine Dion are in English. We can sing along, even if we do not understand what we are singing!

English is a messy (杂乱的) language. Every year, dictionaries include new words that talk about popular culture, for example, computer-related words such as "blogging", "download" and "chatroom". Also included are words that teenagers use. Who does not know "cool", "OK" and “hello” ?

Other languages also influence English. Many English words come from French. Words like "cafe" and expressions like "c'est la vie" (that is life) are all part of the English language. On the other hand, the French language includes English words like "le weekend" and "le camping". German words are also part of English. Words like "kindergarten" come from the German language.

Recently, British people have become interested in "yoga". But the word comes from an ancient Hindu language in India.

1. The English language has a history of ______.

A. over 2000 years B. over 500 years  C. over 1500 years D. over 1000 years

2. The underlined expression “thanks to ” can be replaced by ______.

A. because of   B. thankful to  C. not until   D. as if.

3. Which of the following statements is true about the language of English ?

A. It has been changing all the time.

B. It has borrowed words from all the other languages.

C. French words are used by the English because dictionaries have French words.

D. Singers and film stars have the

greatest influence on language.

4. How many people in the world are using English now?

A. One billion people        B. 340 million

C. almost all the people in the world.

D. not mentioned above, but the number is growing rapidly.

5. Many countries and regions use it for politics and business except______.

A. the USA      B. Nigeria      C. the Philippines   D. Norway

 

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