Question

【题目】 English has become a global language. So which country, not including English-speaking countries, speaks English best? And where does China rank (排名)?

Swedish language education company EF published their 2016 English Proficiency (熟练程度) Index this month. The Netherlands (荷兰) ranked first, followed by Denmark and Sweden. The rankings are based on English reading and listening test results of 950,000 people from 72 countries and areas.

According to the index, the English proficiency in China is still low, ranking 39th. Out of the whole country, people in Shanghai are the best English speakers. They speak better English than Italians and French. Hong Kong and Beijing follow Shanghai as China’s next best English-speaking cities.

“Shanghai and Beijing rank high because they are international cities,” EF senior manager Christopher McCormick said. “However, across China, proficiency in English is different from east to west.”

China has 400 million English learners, reported China Daily. However, the teaching of English in some areas is not very good. According to the People’s Daily Online, there are seven primary schools in Shetianqiao town in Hunan, but only one English teacher. Many students still learn English by rote memorization (死记硬背).

Sebastian Magnusson, an officer at the Swedish embassy (大使馆) in Beijing, gave some advice. Swedish people speak English well and Magnusson himself is also fluent in Chinese. He said TV programs, movies and even computer games could be learning tools. “Do not limit it to textbooks. What matters most is to use what you’ve learned,” Magnusson said.

【1】Which country ranked first in the 2016 English Proficiency Index?

A.Sweden.B.The Netherlands.C.The United Kingdom.D.Denmark.

【2】Which city has the best English speakers in China?

A.Beijing.B.Shanghai.C.Hong Kong.D.Chengdu.

【3】Which of the following is TRUE?

A.Half of the Chinese population is learning English now.

B.Chinese people have high English proficiency levels.

C.Some Chinese schools are short of English teachers.

D.Rote memorization is the best way to learn English.

【4】What can we tell from Magnusson’s words?

A.English is difficult for younger students to learn.

B.Learning English from textbooks is not a good method.

C.Learners should put what they have learned to practice.

D.Learners should get help from their teachers and parents.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】B

【3】C

【4】C

【解析】

本文介绍瑞典语言教育公司EF 发表的2016年英语熟练程度指数，荷兰人排名第一，其次是丹麦和瑞典，中国排第39名。在中国有些地区英语教学不好，而且英语老师短缺。

【1】细节理解题。根据Swedish language education company EF published their 2016 English Proficiency (熟练程度) Index this month. The Netherlands (荷兰) ranked first, followed by Denmark and Sweden.可知，这个月，瑞典语言教育公司EF 发表的2016年英语熟练程度指数，荷兰排名第一。故选B。

【2】细节理解题。根据Out of the whole country, people in Shanghai are the best English speakers.可知，在中国上海人说英语说得最好。故选B。

【3】推理判断题。根据However, the teaching of English in some areas is not very good. According to the People’s Daily Online, there are seven primary schools in Shetianqiao town in Hunan, but only one English teacher.“然而，一些地区的英语教学不是很好。据人民网报道，湖南蛇田桥镇有七所小学，但只有一名英语教师。”可知，中国有些学校英语老师短缺，故选C。

【4】推理判断题。根据“Do not limit it to textbooks. What matters most is to use what you’ve learned,” Magnusson said.可知，我们从马格努森的话中知道，最重要的是运用你所学到的。故选C。

认真阅读题干，根据题干要求，在文中寻找答案所在的语句或段落，进行分析理解，词义猜测，推理判断和概括归纳，选出正确的选项。例如小题2，根据Out of the whole country, people in Shanghai are the best English speakers.可知，在中国上海人说英语说得最好。故选B。