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.

English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA，Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Ireland and Canada. However，English is spoken all over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.

English is also an international language in many other countries，like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business，and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English，listening to British or American music or watching American films.

English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don’t come from those countries. People in Japan and Korea，for example，may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.

English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British，American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone in the world. So，as a middle school student of English today, think about how you can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.

1.In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the passage?

A. Five.                       B. Four.                                C. Three.                    D. Six.

2.In which other countries is English spoken as a main language?

A. Britain, the USA and Australia.

B. India, Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands.

C. China and Japan.

D. New Zealand and Canada.

3. People from other countries learn English for ________.

A. passing exams                                            

B. business and traveling

C. reading English books, enjoying English music or films

D. both B and C

4.Even if people in Japan and Korea use American spelling they ________.

A. will speak the same as Americans                   

B. may not sound like Americans

C. will speak British English                                    

D. will speak English much better

5. Which is the best title for the passage?

A. A First Language in the World                           B. A Second Language in the World

C. English around the World                                  D. A Useful Language

English is spoken as a first language by most people in the USA，Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Ireland and Canada. However，English is spoken all over the world. It is the main language in over 60 countries，including India，Singapore and many of the Caribbean and Pacific islands. In these places English is often a second language.
English is also an international language in many other countries，like China and Japan. People in these countries use it for business，and travelers to these countries use English when they get there to communicate. Other people may learn English because they enjoy reading books in English，listening to British or American music or watching American films.
English has changed a lot over the years and still goes on changing. It is no longer right to talk about British English or American English if the speakers come or don’t come from those countries. People in Japan and Korea，for example，may use the American spelling but may not sound like Americans.
English will probably be the most widely used language in the world by the end of the 21st century. This language no longer belongs to British，American or Australian speakers. It belongs to anyone in the world. So，as a middle school student of English today, think about how you can use this language. After you leave school, you will almost certainly need it.
【小题1】In how many countries is English spoken as a first language in the passage?

阅读理解

　　There are thousands of different languages in the world. Everyone seems to think that his native language is the most important one, as it is his first language. For many people it is even their only language all their lives. But English is the world’s most widely used language.

　　As a native language, English is spoken by nearly three hundred million people in the USA, England, Australia and some other countries. For people in India and many other countries, English is often necessary for business, education and other activities. So English is the second language there.

　　As a foreign language, no other language is more widely studied or used than English. we use it to listen to the radio, to read books or to travel. It is also one of the working languages in the United Nation and is more used than the others.

根据短文选择正确答案

1．The native language is a person’s ________ language.

[　　]

2．People in ________ use English as their second language.

[　　]

3．People in China use English as a ________ language.

[　　]

4．English is ________ used working language in the United Nation.

[　　]

5．English is used in ________ ways by people all over the world.

[　　]