English may not be a world language forever

While 375 million people around the globe use English as their native language, the number of people using it as a second language has already been well over that figure (數(shù)字).

It is said that by the end of 2000, one billion people could use English to communicate with others, including both native speakers and non-native speakers.

“The rise and fall of a language is closely connected with that country’s economic(經(jīng)濟(jì)的) strength and development potential (潛力).” Rhodri Jones, the English 2000 manager of the ELT group of the British Council said.

An expert who has given many lectures on the future of English said the economic boots（快速發(fā)展）in Asia would raise(提高) the position of the Chinese and Hindi languages. Therefore, the English language is facing a serious problem. Where will English turn in the next fifty years or the century?

The recently introduced book from Britain “Future of English” might give people concerned with their question some enlightenments (啟發(fā)). The book helps to help English teachers, planners, managers and decision makers with a professional interest in the development of English worldwide.

With the book translated into Chinese and to be published soon, the book might be brought to wider sphere (范圍)of people.

“From the book, we learn many facts about the English language, and we may be able to predict (預(yù)測(cè)) its future after reading it.” said Dorothy Humphrey, who used to be a senior English teacher for the British Council.

1.The reason why some language rises in the world depends on _______ .

A.the population of the country

B.the country’s economic strength in the world

C.the number of the population who use it

D.the country’s economic strength and development potential

2. The book “Future of English” helps to _______ .

A. improve the standard of people’s learning English

B. adds to people’s interest toward English

C. emphasize (強(qiáng)調(diào)) the importance in the world

D. make people interested in the development of English worldwide

3. After reading “Future of English” we know _______ .

A.English is the language that the people who speak it is the most in the world

B.English may disappear sooner or later

C.the world is keeping changing all the time

D.what the future of the English language is

4. The main idea of the passage is _______ .

A.why English has been popular in the world

B.how to improve people’s ability of learning English

C.English has a bright future

D.the usage of English may become less in the world one day

5. According to this passage, English may not be a world language forever because _______

A.more and more people will come to visit China

B.people in the world won’t like English in the future.

C.the economic boots in Asia would raise the position of the Chinese and Hindi languages

D.China and India will be more developed than those English-speaking countries

 

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When Jack Ma founded the Alibaba Group in 1999, he had 500,000 yuan in his hand and the support of 17 friends. Now eight years later, Alibaba has become China’s largest online commerce company, earning a profit of 1.36 billion yuan in 2006.
But when asked what makes him proud, Ma surprised many people by putting his employees way ahead of his legendary e-commerce websites.
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He promotes company values of honesty, passion and teamwork. Those who don’t accept these principals will find it hard to work there, no matter how talented they are.
“I have seen many who are more clever and hardworking than my team and me,” Ma said. But “we have a loyal team which has stayed on the same course, no wavering（搖擺）.” And Ma pursuing his dream is the magnet（磁鐵）that draws talents in.
57. What did Jack Ma do before he founded Alibaba?
A. He was a waiter.                B. He was a technician.
C. He was a teacher.               D. He was a manager of a small company.
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6-Day Trek（艱苦跋涉）in the Highland National Parks

Destinations: Saigon —­ Cat Tien National Park —Buon Ma Thuot —Lak Lake — YokDon National Park

Estimated trekking time: Average 4-5 hours／day

Summary: This trip is ideal for those who love trekking in natural forests. From the southern part of Vietnam up to the central highlands, you will cross through two national parks. There will be opportunities to see wildlife and challenge yourself physically at a moderate（中等的）level.

Indulge yourself in the beauty of nature, escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, rediscover yourself in the natural world and refresh both mind and body.

Highlights:

·Private tour

·Walk through the forest to a fascinating and beautiful wetland area. If you are lucky, you may be able to see many different kinds of animals using only binoculars（雙筒望遠(yuǎn)鏡）.

·Night time wildlife-spotting excursion（遠(yuǎn)足）

·Elephant riding

Includes:

·Travel insurance

·Private transportation

·English-speaking guide

·Guest house-twin shared room

·Meals as indicated in the itinerary（旅行日程）

·Elephants

·Canoe

·Mineral water

·Entrance fees & all permits

Excludes:

·Surcharges for other guides in other languages, festival season and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking

·Visa

·Gong show（80 USD／show）

·Tips

·Personal expenses

1.In the forest, tourists will be able to­­­­______.

A．have barbeques with natives

B．ride elephants

C．play with wild animals

D．race in canoes

2.Visitors may have to pay extra fees for____.

A．permits                               B．meals and water

C．a(chǎn) Gong show                           D．a(chǎn)n English-speaking guide

3. This advertisement is especially targeting visitors_____ .

A．from other countries

B．who love wildlife

C．who enjoy country life

D．interested in hiking in forests

 

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Mrs. Blake teaches English in a large school in the inner area of a big city on the west of coast. Even since she was a young girl,she has wanted to become a teacher. She has taught eight years now and hasn‘t changed her mind. After she graduated from high school， she went on to college. Four years later， she received her bachelor’s degree （B A） in English and her teaching certificate（證書(shū)）。 Then she went to teach in the secondary schools of her state. In the summers， Mrs. Blake takes more classes； she hopes to get a master‘s degree （M A）。 With an MA， she will receive a higher salary and if possible， she hopes to get a doctor’s degree as well. The school day at Mrs. Blake‘s high school， like that in many high schools in the United States， is divided into one hour each. Mrs. Blake must teach five of these periods. During her free period， which for her is from 2 to 3 P.M. ， Mrs. Blake must meet with parents， make out examinations， check assignments at all， Mrs. Blake works continuously from the time she arrives at school in the morning till the time she leaves for home late in the afternoon.

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A. four years B. eight years C. twelve years d. twenty years

2. According to the article， which is the right order of the degrees a person can receive after going to university？

A. a doctor‘s degree – a bachelor’s degree – a master‘s degree

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C. a master‘s degree—a bachelor’s degree – a doctor‘s degree

D. a bachelor’s degree – a doctor‘s degree—a master’s degree

3. How many degrees has Mrs. Blake achieved so far？

A. one   B. two    C. three   D. none

4. Which of the following sentences is not true？

A. Mrs. Blake teaches in the inner area of big city on the east of the United Sates

B. Mrs. Blake has turned her wish of becoming a teacher into reality.

C. Mrs. Blake is still studying in her holidays in order to get higher degrees.

D. The working hours in the school where Mrs. Blake works are similar to those of many other high schools in the states.

 

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The school day at Mrs. Blake‘s high school， like that in many high schools in the United States， is divided into one hour each. Mrs. Blake must teach five of these periods. During her free period， which for her is from 2 to 3 P.M.  Mrs. Blake must meet with parents， make out examinations， check assignments at al.， Mrs. Blake works continuously from the time she arrives at school in the morning till the time she leaves for home late in the afternoon.

1. How long is it since Mrs. Blake graduated from middle school？

A. four years    B. eight years    C. twelve years    D. twenty years

2. According to the article，which is the right order of the degrees a person can receive after going to university？

A. a doctor‘s degree – a bachelor’s degree – a master‘s degree

B. a bachelor’s degree – a master‘s degree – a doctor’s degree

C. a master‘s degree—a bachelor’s degree – a doctor‘s degree

D. a bachelor’s degree – a doctor‘s degree—a master’s degree

3. How many degrees has Mrs. Blake achieved so far？

A. one    B. two    C. three     D. none

4. Which of the following sentences is not true？

A. Mrs. Blake teaches in the inner area of big city on the east of the United Sates

B. Mrs. Blake has turned her wish of becoming a teacher into reality.

C. Mrs. Blake is still studying in her holidays in order to get higher degrees.

D. The working hours in the school where Mrs. Blake works are similar to those of many other high schools in the states.

5. According to that third paragraph，Mrs. Blake is ______ during the school day.

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   The country can be divided into many parts with different climates all because of its peculiar terrains (地形). In the center there are volcanoes several thousand feet high, and 90% of its arable land is covered with sugarcane.

   There were no people living on the island before the Dutch landed on it in 1638. The Dutch abandoned it in 1710, and five years later, the French came and succeeded in planting sugarcane there. It was conquered by Britain in 1818. As a result, its official language is English. The main big cities are Beau-Bassin and Mahebourg, with Port Louis as its capital.

   Mauritius has many rare and unique animals, such as the snakes, parrots and lizards. The giraffe is a type of animal with a very long neck and legs and yellow skin with dark spots. It is the tallest of all living animals.

   Mauritius was extremely poor when it declared its independence in 1968. In the past ten years, obvious economic prosperity(繁榮) has shown itself in this island country. Nowadays its business, culture and tourism are developing rapidly. Every year, thousands of millions of people rush there to enjoy the silver sand beach and song and dance performances with native national characteristics.

1. The underlined word “abandoned” in the third paragraph means ___________.

  A. took its place            B. gave it up            

     C. left for it                                                         D. held it out

2.The right order that shows the history of Mauritius should be ___________.

      a. seized by the French                       b. became its master

      c. ruled by the Dutch                     d. conquered by the British

  A. b, a, c, d                                                                 B. a, c, d, b                              

  C. d, c, a, b                                                                 D. c, a, d, b

3. According to the passage all of the following statements are true EXCEPT______.

A.      Arable land covers 90% of the country’s total area

B.      Tourism is one of the driving forces for the economic development of Mauritius.

C.      More than half of Mauritius population are Indians

D.      British ruled the island longer than French and Dutch

4.Which of the following maps shows the right position of Mauritius?

     (Mau = Mauritius; Ma = Madagascar; A = Africa)

     A.                             B.

 


        A                       A

             MA                         MA

 


              Mau                   Mau

 

     C.                             D.

 


       A                         A

 

MA                         MA

                         Mau

    Mau

 

 

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