阅读理解．

　　There are more than 3000 languages in the world today, but only about ten are major languages of the world. Among them English is the most popular.

　　More than 350 million people speak English as their first language. Major English-speaking countries are Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. Another 400 million speak it as a second language. No one knows how many people speak English as a foreign language. They usually learn English as a school subject instead of learning it from their parents. Chinese is the only language with more speakers than English. This is because of the large population of China.

　　English is the language for a better understanding between peoples of the world. It is also the language for business and science. Nearly half of the business deals in Europe are done in English, and more than half of the science magazines are in English. English is widely used in the world's computer network. And children should begin with English when they learn how to use computers. Through the English language peoples of different countries are able to work together and make things even better.

根据短文内容，从各小题所给选项中选择最佳的一项．

1．English is the most popular language in the world because ________.

[　　]

A．it has the largest number of speakers

B．it is widely used

C．it is an international language

D．it is a language for world use

2．The world's computer network takes English as ________.

[　　]

A．its only language

B．one of the main languages

C．a school subject

D．a foreign language

3．If you want to learn how to use computers, you should ________.

[　　]

A．speak English well first

B．work together with foreigners

C．learn English first

D．make things better

4．If you know English, you'll be able to ________.

[　　]

A．do everything better than before

B．understand what people from different countries say

C．read nearly all the science magazines in the world

D．read many science magazines in the world

阅读理解

阅读下面的短文，根据短文内容选择最佳答案．

　　Yang Zhenhua has been a taxi driver for years. He knows every corner of the city. His work usually wins him thanks except when he meets foreigners, for Yang doesn't know any English.

　　“Now I study English in my free time,” said Yang in his 40s. He pulls an English textbook from the toolbox. “I study English to help with Beijing's Olympics(奥林匹克运动会),” he said proudly. Yang is just one of the millions of common people in Beijing who started to learn English when Beijing was decided to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

　　Learning and speaking English is “hot” among the people of this 3,000-year-old city. From schools to factories, men and women, old and young are studying their “ABC”. Books teaching useful expressions for everyday communication(交际) are the most popular.

　　Some people, such as taxi drivers, bus conductors and the police, are asked to learn basic English. Nearly 3,000 students from 50 universities in Beijing reached the streets last August as volunteers(志愿者) to teach English to the people of this city. They taught common and useful sentences, such as greeting(打招呼) and asking and answering simple questions.

　　Official figures(数字) show that about 15％ of Beijingers can speak English, more or less. It is said that it will rise to 70％ or 80 ％ during the following six years. Besides, the government encourages(鼓励) the use of English in many places. The city underground railways give messages by radio in both English and Chinese.

　　English, not Chinese, is used as the most important working language for the Olympic development. In the Beijing 2008 Olympic Committee(委员会), nearly all the committee members can speak English freely. Many are very good at the language.

1．Yang Zhenhua can hardly win himself thanks from foreigners because ________.

[　　]

A．he isn't polite to them at all

B．he is a common taxi driver

C．he can't speak English

D．he doesn't know the city well

2．According to the report, the English beginners in Beijing best like to learn ________.

[　　]

A．the letters A, B, and C

B．everyday English

C．English texts

D．words and expressions

3．Nearly 3,000 students from 50 universities in Beijing reached the streets last August to ________.

[　　]

A．practice their spoken English

B．show their love of Beijing

C．tell people the importance of English

D．teach the Beijingers English

4．Which of the following is true?

[　　]

A．All Beijingers are asked to speak English.

B．Beijingers are encouraged to use as much English as possible.

C．All the taxi drivers in Beijing must speak English.

D．Beijingers study English to be in the Beijing Olympics.

5．The report is about ________.

[　　]

A．the importance of English

B．how to learn English well

C．the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

D．Beijingers' interest in learning English