2015年MPA联考英语阅读练习及答案11

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The English language is spoken or read by the largest number of people in
the world, for historical, political, and economic reasons; but it may also be
true that it owes something of its wide appeal to qualities and characteristics
inherent in itself. What are these characteristic features which outstand in
making the English language what it is, which give it its individuality and make
it of this worldwide significance?
    First and most important is extraordinary receptive and adaptable — it has
taken to itself material from almost everywhere in the world and has made the
new elements of language its own. English, which when the Anglo-Saxons first
conquered England in the fifth and sixth centuries was almost a "pure" or
unmixed language—which could make new words for new ideas from its own
compounded elements.
    A second outstanding characteristic of English is its simplicity and the
relationship of words in a sentence with only the minimum of change in their
shapes or variation of endings.
    A third quality of English is its relatively fixed word order. (177
words)
    1. This passage is primarily concerned with
    A. reasons for the popularity of English
    B. English language has largest number of people in the world
    C. extraordinary receptive and adaptable of English language
    D. characteristic of English
    参考答案：A
    2. What are the most important characteristic features of English?
    A. the largest number of people
    B. historical, political, and economic reasons
    C. extraordinary receptive and adaptable
    D. worldwide significance
    参考答案：C
    3. Where has English taken itself material?
    A. everywhere in the world.
    B. the Anglo-Saxons.
    C. a "pure" or unmixed language.
    D. many places in the world.
    参考答案：D
    4. According to the text, England was once
    A. conquered by some foreigners.
    B. defeated by the Anglo-Saxons.
    C. a colony of the Anglo-Saxons.
    D. mixed with the Anglo-Saxons.
    参考答案：A
    5. Which of the following is NOT the characteristic of English
language?
    A. simple
    B. wide spread
    C. pure
    D. relatively fixed word order
    参考答案：C