A
Almost from the time that the first Englishman set foot upon American soil,our language began to evolve.It is a continuous process throughout the centuries and has produced a language that differs from our ancestors and shows a sign of our own features and independence.
By 1790,there were about four million Americans,90% of whom were descendants(后代) of English colonists(殖民者).This,of course,left no question that our official native language would be “English”,but it would not be the same as that spoken in Great Britain.
By 1720,the English colonists began to notice that their language was quite different from that spoken in their motherland.How did that come to be?
There are many reasons,the most obvious being the distance from England.Over the years,many words were borrowed from the Native Americans,as well as other people from France,Germany,Spain,and other countries.Other words that became unused in England continued to be used in the colonies.In other cases,words simply had to be created in order to explain the unfamiliar landscape,weather,animals,plants,and living conditions that these early pioneers went through.
To the newly independent Americans,they were proud of their “new” American language,wearing it,as yet,another symbol of independence.In 1789,Noah Webster wrote in his DissertationontheEnglishLanguage:
“The reasons for American English being different from British English are simple:As an independent nation,our honor requires us to have a system of our own,in language as well as government.”
The evolution of the American language continued into the 20th century,as well as the American pride.
21.What is the text mainly about?
A.The development of American English.
B.How to learn American English.
C.The frequent changes of English.
D.The differences between American English and British English.
解析:文章第一段提出从第一个英国人踏上美国土地开始,美国的语言就逐渐演变,最终发展成有特色的美国英语。文章围绕美国英语的发展这个话题展开,故选A项。
答案:A
22.Which of the following is NOT the reason that helps form American English?
A.America is far away from England.
B.New words were created through practices.
C.New words were borrowed from Native Americans.
D.New Americans failed to use the old words from England.
解析:根据文章第四段对美国英语形成原因的分析可知,距离英国远、从美洲原住民借用词语以及创造新词都是原因之一,只有D项与第四段中的“OtherwordsthatbecameunusedinEnglandcontinuedtobeusedinthecolonies.”意思正好相反,故选D项。
答案:D
23.What can we infer from the passage?
A.Early Americans felt proud of their new language.
B.The new language helped Americans fight against enemies.
C.Early Americans just felt curious about their new language.
D.The new language has settled its identity and stopped developing.
解析:根据文章第五段中的“TothenewlyindependentAmericans,theywereproudoftheir‘new’Americanlanguage”可知,刚刚获得独立的美国人为自己的语言感到自豪,故选A项。
答案:A
