Although the USA is by far the most powerful of the English-speaking
countries,English that is taught in most parts of the world is British English.
Besides,British English is the "mother"language upon which all English,written
or spoken,is based,including American English.In fact,most Americans like the
way the "English" speak.Many Americans,including some who have no British
blood in them,regard Britain culturally(文化上) as the Mother Country.
Americans read English literature(文学作品) without any difficulty at all,and
British readers of early 20th century American literature have no problems
either.But for the last fifty years the Americans have been inventing a large
number of new words and phrases,many of which have already reached the UK
and the whole English-speaking world.
　　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 "pant".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 sometimes 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.