20 de maio de 2017

What's the Future of English? - Reading comprehension (vestibular)


Read the text below and do exercises 1-4. 

What's the Future of English? 
A language's development reflects the power of those who speak it 

So how exactly did that happen? How did English grow so quickly and seemingly so unexpectedly? According to Crystal, in spite of the widespread notion that this is due, at least in part, to the fact that it is an easy language to learn, 'without any grammar', as some people have said, there is something much deeper behind the exponential growth of English as a global language. Crystal suggests that a language's development is a direct reflection of the power of those who speak it. From the beginnings of the British Empire, to the industrial revolution in Britain, which brought significant technological and scientific developments and a number of influential inventions from English-speaking inventors, through to the continued economic power of the 19th century and cultural power of the 20th century, English has maintained its edge. 

From: <www.britishcouncil.org/blog/whats-future-english>. Accessed in: May 2015. (fragment) 

1. Based on the text, who is Crystal? Make inferences. 
a) A famous politician. 
b) A language specialist. 

2. According to Crystal, what can we say about the English language? Mark the correct statements below. 
a) It is a global language. 
b) It is an easy language to learn. 
c) It has developed at a slow pace. 
d) Its development reflects the power of the people who speak it. 

3. Based on the text, what brought significant technological and scientific developments and a number of influential inventions from English-speaking inventors? 

4. In "So how exactly did that happen?", what does that refer to? Try to use your own words.



Gabarito

1. Alternativa B
2. Alternativas A, B e D
3. The industrial revolution in Britain.
4. Suggested answers: The development/growth of English/the English language.


Imagem: Google

2 comentários: