Question

About five to seven million people who lived in England spoke English at the end of the 16th century. Later in the next century, people from England overcame other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries. Today, more people speak English as their first, second or a foreign language than ever before.

Look at this example:

British Betty: Would you like to see my flat?

American Amy: Yes. I’d like to come up to your apartment.

So why has English changed over time? All languages change and develop when cultures meet. At first the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today. It was based more on German than the English we speak at present. Then between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those who ruled England spoke first Danish and later French. These new settlers improved the English language and especially its vocabulary. So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of a wider vocabulary than ever before.

Finally by the 19th century the language was settled. At that time two big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language. The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.

English now is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia. For example, India has a very large number of fluent English speakers because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education. Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly.

1.When did English begin to be spoken in many other countries?

A. In 16th century.

B. In 17th century.

C. In 18th century.

D. In 19th century.

2.Shakespeare could use a wider vocabulary than ever before because English_______.

A. developed when new settlers came to Britain

B. was based on Germany during the 5th century

C. became the language for government and education

D. was spoken wide all over the world

3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. British settlers moved to America in the 18th.

B. It’s easy for Chinese people speak fluent English.

C. English once became the official language in India.

D. English was influenced by Danish invaders in AD 450 .

4.What showed the differences of American English spelling?

A. Samuel Johnson’s dictionary B. Shakespeare’s books

C. French ruler’s language D. Noah Webster’s dictionary

5.For what purpose does the author write the passage?

A. To settle English in many countries.

B. To understand English-speaking people.

C. To describe the development of English.

D. To tell people changes of American English.

Answer 1