Currently, about 80 percent of the information stored on computer systems worldwide is in English. Two-thirds of the world's science writing is in English, and English is the main language of technology, advertising, media, international airports, and air traffic controllers. Today there are more than 700 million English users in the world, and over half of these are non-native speakers, constituting the largest number of non-native users than any other language in the world. 1. What is the main topic of this passage? A. The number of non-native users of English B. The French influence on the English language C. The expansion of English as an international language D. The use of English for science and technology 2. Approximately when did English begin to be used beyond England? A. In 1066 B. Around 1350 C. Before 1600 D. After the 1600s 3. According to the passage, all of the following contributed to the spread of English around the world EXCEPT ________. A. the slave trade B. the Norman invasion C. missionaries D. colonization 4. The word "enclaves" in line 10 could best be replaced by which of the following? A. communities B. organizations C. regions D. countries 5. The word "proliferated" in line 11 is closest in meaning to which of the following? A. prospered B. organized C. disbanded D. expanded
Over the past 600 years, English has grown from a language of few speakers to become the dominant language of international communication. English as we know it today emerged around 1350, after having incorporated many elements of French that were introduced following the Norman invasion of 1030. Until the 1600s, English was, for the most part, spoken only in England and had not extended even as far as Wales, Scotland, or Ireland. However, during the course of the next two centuries, English began to spread around the globe as a result of exploration, trade (including slave trade), colonization, and missionary work. Thus, small enclaves of English speakers became established and grew in various parts of the world. As these communities proliferated, English gradually became the primary language of international business, banking, and diplomacy.
Currently, about 80 percent of the information stored on computer systems worldwide is in English. Two-thirds of the world's science writing is in English, and English is the main language of technology, advertising, media, international airports, and air traffic controllers. Today there are more than 700 million English users in the world, and over half of these are non-native speakers, constituting the largest number of non-native users than any other language in the world.
1. What is the main topic of this passage?
A. The number of non-native users of English
B. The French influence on the English language
C. The expansion of English as an international language
D. The use of English for science and technology
2. Approximately when did English begin to be used beyond England? A. In 1066
B. Around 1350
C. Before 1600
D. After the 1600s
3. According to the passage, all of the following contributed to the spread of English around the world EXCEPT ________.
A. the slave trade
B. the Norman invasion
C. missionaries
D. colonization
4. The word "enclaves" in line 10 could best be replaced by which of the following?
A. communities
B. organizations
C. regions
D. countries
5. The word "proliferated" in line 11 is closest in meaning to which of the following?
A. prospered
B. organized
C. disbanded
D. expanded
1. C
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. D
