English is also spoken as a foreign or second language in south Asia. India has a very large number of English speakers. This is because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education. English is also spoken in many other countries in Africa and Asia, such as South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia. In China, English has been used in Hong Kong since about 1842. Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly. Will Chinese English become one of the world Englishes? Only time will tell.

Comprehending

Read the passage and choose the correct answer.

1. English has /had the most speakers ____.

A. now B. when the British ruled many parts of the world

C. in the time of Shakespeare D. in the 12th century

2. Which of the following statements is true?

A. Languages always stay the same.

B. Languages change only after wars.

C. Languages no longer change.

D. Languages change when cultures change.

3. From AD 450 to 1150, English sounded more like ___.

A. French B. Chinese C. German D. Russian

4. Shakespeare's English was spoken around ____.

A. 1400's B.1150's C.450's D.1600's

点滴积累

1. than ever before 常与比较级连用，意为"比以往任何时候更"。如： Jane looks much prettier than ever before.简看起来比以前漂亮多了。

The stars were shining brightly in the dark sky and the night was more beautiful than ever before.繁星点缀在夜空里，夜晚比以往更美。

2. communicate with 通消息；交流；相连。如：

With the internet, he can communicate directly with Hong Kong and Beijing. 用互联网，他能直接与香港和北京联络。

He's a shy boy who can't communicate with other people very well.

他是个腼腆的孩子，不大善于与人交流。

3. be based on 以......为基础。如：

This song is based on an old folk song.

这支歌源于一首古老的民间歌曲。