IBOOK 1 UNIT2The road to modern EnglishAt the end of the 16th century, about five to seven million people spoken English. Nearly all of them lived in England. Later in the next century, people from England made voyages to conquer other parts of the world and because of that, English began to be spoken in many other countries. Today, more people speak English as their first, second or a foreign language than ever before. Native English speaks can understand each other even if they don’t speak the same kind of English. Look at this example: British Betty: Would you like to see my flat? American Amy: Yes. I’d like to come up to your apartment. So why has English changed over time？Actually all languages change and develop when cultures meet and communicate with each other. At first the English spoken in England between about AD 450 and 1150 was very different from the English spoken today. It was based more on German than English we speak at present. Then gradually between about AD 800 and 1150, English became less like German because those who ruled England spoken first Danish and later French. These new settlers enriched the English language and especially its vocabulary. So by the 1600’s Shakespeare was able to make use of a wider vocabulary than ever before. In 1620 some British settlers moved to America. Later in the 18th century some British people were taken to Australia too. English began to be spoken in both countries. Finally by the 19th century the language was settled. At that time too big changes in English spelling happened: first Samuel Johnson wrote his dictionary and later Noah Webster wrote The American Dictionary of the English Language. The latter gave a separate identity to American English spelling.English now is also spoken as a foreign or second language in South Asia. For example, India has a very large number of fluent English speakers because Britain ruled India from 1765 to 1947. During that time English became the language for government and education. English is also spoken in Singapore and Malaysia and countries in Africa such as South Africa. Today the number of people learning English in China is increasing rapidly. In fact, China may have the largest number of English learners. Will Chinese English develop its own identity? Only time will tell. 一、阅读课文完成填空：At the end of the 16th century, English was only spoken by people from England. They were native speakers. Today, the largest number of people 1. _______ (speak)English may be in China. A lot of Chinese people speak English 2. _______ their foreign language. The English language 3. _______ (change)quite a lot over the last four centuries. Old English sounded more or less like German 4. _______ it was based on German, but modern English sounds more like French 5. _______ German because England was once ruled by 6. _______ French. Two people had great 7. ____ (affect)on the English changes. One was Shakespeare, 8. _______ enlarged(扩大)the English vocabulary; the 9. _______ was Noah Webster, who wrote a dictionary 10. _______ gave American English its own identity.答案: 1. speaking 2. as 3. has changed 4. because 5. than 6. the 7. effects 8. who 9. other II10. that/which二、语法单句填空：1. Her face went red because what he said. 2. The girl used to be shy, but is (gradual) getting active in group work and is more willing to express herself. 3. (actual), his new novel (base) on his own experience.4. Of these two basketball teams, the former comes from the US; the (late) comes from England.5. —I hear a number of workers in the factory (be) out of work.— Yes, and the number (be) quite huge.6. Who do you suggest (send) to work there?7. Every minute was made use of (practice) spoken English.8. Some English programs, such English on Sunday, Follow me, are very helpful to us.9. The chairman of the meeting commanded that everything (prepare) before the meeting starts.10. More safety measures (request) to be taken to improve road safety.11. I could tell that he was very sad from the (express) on his face.12. They are faced with the same kinds of challenges and problems in life you are.13. —They have left for Shanghai. Why did they change their plan?—That is there will be a snowstorm tomorrow according to the weather forecast.14. No pains, no gains; after all, there is no thing as a free lunch in the world.15. More and more people have got to know the importance of the English study. Believe or not, about six people in ten in this city are able to speak English.16. As you continue doing your experiment, more problems may come .答案:1. of 2. gradually 3.Actually, is based 4. latter 5. are, is 6. (should) be sent 7.to practice8. as 9.(should) be prepared 10. are requested 11. expression 12. as 13. because 14. such 15. it 16. 。