Question

Although the USA is by far the most powerful of the English-speaking countries, English that is taught in most parts of the world is British English. Besides, British English is the “mother” language upon which all English, written or spoken, is based, including American English. In fact, most Americans like the way the “English” speak. Many Americans, including some who have no British blood in them, regard Britain culturally (文化上) as the Mother Country. Americans read English literature (文学作品) without any difficulty at all, and British readers of early 20th century American literature have no problems either. But for the last fifty years the Americans have been inventing a large number of new words and phrases, many of which have already reached the UK and the whole English-speaking world.

However, there are occasional(偶尔的)misunderstandings(误会). A smart English woman said to a smart American woman on a California beach. English woman: It’s the first time I’ve bathed for years. American woman (amazed): Is that so? I can’t believe it! English woman: It’s true. You see, the water at home’s always so cold. American woman : But…But surely you have hot water in England? English woman (laughs): Of course, but not in the sea! There can be similar misunderstandings over the word “pants”, though most English people know that Americans call trousers “pants”. American girl: I never wear pants. They don’t suit me. English girl: Really? Couldn’t that be a bit embarrassing(难堪的)? American girl: Embarrassing? Why? English girl: Well—that short skirt you’re wearing…American girl: Oh, my! But I wear panties(短衬裤)! In British English, “pants” are undergarments. However, young people in Britain do sometimes say “pants” for “trousers”.

1 All the English is based on__________.

A. British English　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    B. American English

C. Canadian English　　　　　　　　　　　　　　  D. Australian English

2 Which of the following sentences is not true?

A. Americans can read English literature easily.

B. British readers can read all the American literature with no difficulty, either.

C. Some of the English words we are learning now are from the USA.

D. There are some times misunderstandings between Americans and Englishmen.

3 Pants in American English mean _________in British English.

A. panties　　　　　　    B. undergarments

C. underwear　　　　　　  D. trousers

4 From the passage we know that “to bathe” in American English means ________ and means_______ in British English.

 

Answer 1

答案：A;B;D
提示：

1. British English is the “mother” language upon which all English, written or spoken, is based, including American English.所以是A。 2.注意本题选择的是NOT true的选项。 3.是裤子的意思。 4. to wash; to go swimming