Question

阅读理解 　　Although American and British English are the two major national varieties of the languages, with the largest numbers of speakers and the greatest impact(影响)worldwide, there are many other varieties of English used around the world．Today English is used as a first language, as a second language, and as a foreign language．Other important first-language varieties of English are those of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa． 　　English is extremely important as a second language in India and has official or semi-official use in the Philippines, Malaysia, Tanzania(坦桑尼亚), Kenya(肯尼亚), Nigeria(尼日利亚), Liberia(利比里亚), and other countries in Africa, the Caribbean(加勒比地区), the Pacific, and elsewhere．It is the international language of the airlines, of computer technology, of science, and indeed of communication generally．When a Japanese business firm deals with a client(客户)in Saudi Arabia(沙特阿拉伯), their language of communication is likely to be English． 　　English has more non-native speakers than any other language, is more widely disbursed around the world, and is used for more purposes than any other language．The extraordinary spread of English is not due to any inherent virtue, but rather to the fact that by historical chance it has become the most useful language for others to learn． 　　In the course of its spread, English has diversified(分化)by adapting to local circumstances and cultures, so there are different varieties of English in every country．However, because the heart of its usefulness is its ability to serve as an international medium of communication, English is likely to retain a more or less homogeneous(类似的)core－an international standard based on the usage of the United States and the United Kingdom．Yet each national variety has its own character and contribution to make to world English． (1) No important varieties of English are mentioned in ________ as a first language． [　　] A． Africa B． Asia C． North America D． Oceania (2) What is the most likely reason for the extraordinary spread of English? [　　] A． English has a long history． B． There are many inherent virtues in English． C． Britain was a very powerful country in the old days． D． Lots of people speaking English traveled around the world． (3) Which of the following statement is true? [　　] A． English has the most population than any other language． B． The main part each variety of English plays is to serve as an international medium of communication． C． There is only one variety of English in one country． D． If a Japanese businessman doesn’t know English，he cannot do business with a client in Saudi Arabia．

Answer 1

答案：1．B;2．C;3．B;
解析：

(1)	第一段提到英语除了在美国和英国作为第一语言，其他重要的把英语作为第一语言的国家是澳大利亚、加拿大、爱尔兰、新西兰和南非，这些国家分布在大洋洲、北美洲和非洲。
(2)	第三段“The extraordinary spread of English is not due to any inherent virtue，but rather to the fact that by historical chance it has become the most useful language for others to learn．”告诉我们英语得以广泛传播的原因是由于历史的机缘，使它成为供其他人学习的最有用的语言，而这种机缘主要是由于英国当时的强盛。
(3)	本题可用排除法解答。英语只是比其他语言拥有“more non-native speakers”“more widely disbursed”和“used for more purposes”，所以A项的说法是错误的；英语有很多变体，而不是只有一种；日本人和沙特人谈生意时只是很有可能使用英语，而不是一定用英语。