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The number of speakers of English in Shakespeare's time is estimated to have been about five million. Today it is estimated that some 260 million people speak it as a native language, mainly in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the standard varieties of English found in these areas, there are a great many regional and social varieties of the language, as well as various levels of usage that are employed both in its spoken and written forms.

It is virtually impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages. The purpose for which English is learned and the situations in which such learning takes place are so varied that it is difficult to define and still more difficult to assess what constitutes an adequate working knowledge for each situation.

The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its present day importance as a world language. Besides serving the infinite needs of its native speakers, English is a language in which some of the important works in science, technology, and other fields are being produced, and not always by native speakers. It is widely used for such purposes as meteorological and airport communications, international conferences, and the dissemination of information over the radio and television networks of many nations.

It is a language of wider communication for a number of developing countries, especially former British colonies. Many of these countries have multi-lingual populations and need a language for internal communication in such matters as government, commerce, industry, law and education as well as for international communication and for access to the scientific and technological developments in the West.

1．What would be an appropriate title for this selection?

A．The Difficulties of Learning English

B．Internal Communications

C．The Standard Varieties of English

D．English as a World Language

2．Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A．Some 260 million people in the world have an adequate working knowledge of English.

B．There are some 260 million native speakers of English in the world.

C．It is almost impossible to estimate the number of people with an adequate working knowledge of English.

D．People learn English for a variety of reasons.

3．According to this article, what is one main reason for the widespread use of English?

A．It was popular during Shakespeare's time.

B．It is used in former British colonies.

C．It serves the needs of its native speakers.

D．It is a world language that is used for international communication.

4．What constitutes an adequate working knowledge of English?

A．The ability to read a newspaper.

B．It is difficult to assess because it differs for each situation.

C．Being multi-lingual.

D．Being a native speaker.

5．What type of developing countries would be most likely to use English?

A．Those geographically close to the United States.

B．Those interested in the culture of the United States.

C．Countries where international conferences are held.

D．Former colonies of Great Britain.

1．【答案】D

【精析】全文都在讲英语是世界语言和成为世界语言的原因，以及讲英语的人口数量在不断增加等，故D项为正确选项。

2．【答案】A

【精析】从第一段中“some 260 million people speak it as a native language”可知，B项正确；根据第二段中“It is virtually impossible to estimate the number of people in the world who have acquired an adequate working knowledge of English in addition to their own languages.”可知，C项正确；对比A、D，发现A项显然错误。因此A项是正确答案。

3．【答案】D

【精析】由第三段第一句话“The main reason for the widespread demand for English is its present day importance as a world language.”可知，D项正确。

4．【答案】B

【精析】由第二段最后一句话“...it is difficult to define and still more difficult to assess what constitutes an adequate working knowledge for each situation.”可知，B项正确。

5．【答案】D

【精析】由最后一段第一句中的“especially former British colonies”可知，D项为正确答案。