摘要:It is very important to learn English because it is widely used in the world. A large number of important books are published in English. English is one of the working languages at international meetings. It will also make us understand the countries in the world better. No matter what we do in the future, it is very important to learn English. So we hope that all of us will realize the importance of English and try to practise and use it as much as possible.

网址:http://m.1010jiajiao.com/timu3_id_2936219[举报]

阅读理解

  Although American and British English are the two major national varieties of the languages, with the largest numbers of speakers and the greatest impact(影响)worldwide, there are many other varieties of English used around the world.Today English is used as a first language, as a second language, and as a foreign language.Other important first-language varieties of English are those of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa.

  English is extremely important as a second language in India and has official or semi-official use in the Philippines, Malaysia, Tanzania(坦桑尼亚), Kenya(肯尼亚), Nigeria(尼日利亚), Liberia(利比里亚), and other countries in Africa, the Caribbean(加勒比地区), the Pacific, and elsewhere.It is the international language of the airlines, of computer technology, of science, and indeed of communication generally.When a Japanese business firm deals with a client(客户)in Saudi Arabia(沙特阿拉伯), their language of communication is likely to be English.

  English has more non-native speakers than any other language, is more widely disbursed around the world, and is used for more purposes than any other language.The extraordinary spread of English is not due to any inherent virtue, but rather to the fact that by historical chance it has become the most useful language for others to learn.

  In the course of its spread, English has diversified(分化)by adapting to local circumstances and cultures, so there are different varieties of English in every country.However, because the heart of its usefulness is its ability to serve as an international medium of communication, English is likely to retain a more or less homogeneous(类似的)core-an international standard based on the usage of the United States and the United Kingdom.Yet each national variety has its own character and contribution to make to world English.

(1)

No important varieties of English are mentioned in ________ as a first language.

[  ]

A.

Africa

B.

Asia

C.

North America

D.

Oceania

(2)

What is the most likely reason for the extraordinary spread of English?

[  ]

A.

English has a long history.

B.

There are many inherent virtues in English.

C.

Britain was a very powerful country in the old days.

D.

Lots of people speaking English traveled around the world.

(3)

Which of the following statement is true?

[  ]

A.

English has the most population than any other language.

B.

The main part each variety of English plays is to serve as an international medium of communication.

C.

There is only one variety of English in one country.

D.

If a Japanese businessman doesn’t know English,he cannot do business with a client in Saudi Arabia.

查看习题详情和答案>>

It is one of the most annoying words in the English language and it seems there is no escaping it. The word “huh?” is in worldwide use, a study found.

Researchers discovered that languages spoken in countries from Ghana and Laos to Iceland and Italy all include “huh?”, or something that sounds very like it. They said that while the study may sound silly, the word is an absolutely necessary part of speech. Without it and similar words, it would be impossible to show that we haven’t heard or understood what had been said and this would lead to constant misunderstandings.

But while other words used in the same context, such as “sorry” or “what”, vary widely across languages, “huh?” remains unchanged.

The Dutch researchers carefully studied ten languages from around the world, including Siwu, which is spoken in Ghana, and an Australian Aboriginal language, as well as Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Mandarin Chinese.

They analysed tapes of recorded conversations for words that sounded like “huh?” and were used to request that whatever had just been said be repeated. All contained a version of “huh?”. The word was also found in another 21 languages. While there were subtle differences in each country, all sounded basically the same.

This is surprising because normally unrelated languages will use very different words to describe the same thing. For instance, the Japanese for “dog” is “inu”, while the French is “chien”. It is thought that languages around the world have developed their own version of “huh?” because the sound is quick and simple to form, as well as being easily understood.

The researchers, said that it might seem unimportant to carry out scientific research into a word like “huh?” but in fact this little word is an essential tool in human communication. They also have an answer for those who claim that “huh?” isn’t a word. They say that it qualifies because of the small differences in its pronunciation in different languages. It also can be considered a word because it’s something we learn to say, rather than a grunt or cry that we are born knowing how to make.

1. According to researchers, the word “huh?” is very important in speech because of ________.

A. its stable meaning in language development

B. its important function in communication

C. its simple and easy sound and spelling

D. its popularity in every language

2.What is the natural response if you hear the lady you’re speaking to say “huh?”?

A. You should ask her to repeat what she says before that.

B. You should apologize to her for speaking in a low voice.

C. You should invite her to share her different views politely.

D. You should try to repeat what you’ve just said in a clearer way.

3.The main method used in the research of “huh?” was ________.

A. interviewing language experts in universities

B. talking with people from ten different countries

C. analyzing the recorded conversations in different languages

D. comparing different words with the same meaning in different languages

4.According to researchers, “huh?” should be considered a word rather than a sound because ________.

A. it is listed in most dictionaries

B. it is something humans learn to say

C. there is a clear and consistent spelling of the word

D. there is a big difference in the way it pronounces in different languages

5.What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To inform readers about research on the worldwide used word “huh?”.

B. To argue that “huh?” is the most important word in every language.

C. To entertain readers by relating similar idioms in different languages.

D. To instruct readers of the differences of “huh?” in different languages.

 

查看习题详情和答案>>

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