Step 3 Careful Reading

Task 3 Read the passage again and fill in the blanks..

Time The road to modern English AD 450-1150 The English was spoken in England. It was based more on ______than the English we speak at present. AD 800-1150

Because the people who ________ England spoke first Danish and later French, English became _________ like German. In the 1600s ____________ made use of a wider vocabulary than ever before. In 1620 Some British settlers moved to ___________. In the 18th century Some British people were taken to _________. 1765-1947

English was spoken in India as well as in Africa and Asia. It became the language for _______________ and education in India. By the 19th century

The English language was settled. Two big changes:

Samuel Johnson wrote his __________.

Noah Webster wrote ______________________________ and gave a separate identity to ____________ English spelling. Now

English is spoken in _________, __________, __________, __________ ________and so on.

Task 4. Read the passage carefully and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F) and explain why.

1. English had the most speakers in the 17th century. ( )

2. English developed when new settlers and rulers came to Britain. ( )

3. Languages frequently change. ( )

4. The language of the government is always the language of the country. ( )

5. English is one of the official languages used in India. ( )

6. This reading describes the development of the English language. ( )