Ⅰ. 阅读理解
A student is learning to speak British English. He wonders: Can I communicate with Americans? Can they understand me? Learners of English often ask: What are the differences between British and American English? How important are these differences?
Certainly there are some differences between British and American English. There are a few differences in grammar. For example, speakers of British English say “in hospital” and “Have you a pen? ” Americans say “in the hospital”and “Do you have a pen? ”Pronunciation is sometimes different. Americans usually sound theirs in words like “bird” and “hurt”. Speakers of British English do not sound theirs in these words. There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary. For example, “colour” and “honour” are British, “color” and honor” are American.
These differences in grammar, pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary are not important, however. For the most part, British and American English are the same language.
【语篇概述】文章讲述了美国英语和英国英语之间的差别主要在四个方面, 并说明了它们属于同一种语言, 说明这两国人在相互理解方面没有困难。
1. According to this passage, a student who is learning to speak American English might be afraid that ______.
A. British people cannot understand him
B. American people cannot understand him
C. the grammar is too hard for him
D. the spelling is too hard for him
【解析】选A。推理判断题。根据文章第一段He wonders: Can I communicate with Americans? Can they understand me? 可知, 学英国英语的人会担心美国人能否听懂, 而学美国英语的人也担心英国人是否能听懂。
2. American English and British English are different in ______.
A. spelling B. pronunciation
C. grammar D. all of the above
【解析】选D。细节理解题。第二段There are a few differences in grammar. There are differences between British and American English in spelling and vocabulary. Pronunciation is sometimes different. 这三句说明美国英语和英国英语在语法、拼写、词汇和发音方面都有差异, 故选D。
3. Most ______say “Do you have a watch? ”
A. British people B. Americans
C. children D. teachers
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据第二段Americans say “in the hospital” and “Do you have a pen? ”可知Do you have a watch? 是讲美国英语的人所说。故选B。
4. According to this passage, British people and Americans have ______difficulty in understanding each other.
A. little B. much C. some D. great
【解析】选A。推理判断题。根据最后一句For the most part, British and American English are the same language. 可知, 这是一种语言, 那么这两国人在理解对方的语言方面没有困难。故选A。
