English Test

4TH ESO
Name: ________________________________ Class: ______ No: __________
Mark: ________________ Teacher: __________________
I
Before reading the text comment on the statement below. Write about 20-25 words.

1. “I speak a foreign language, namely English, which most people in most parts of the world also speak, so
I have few problems of communication.”
English today
Looking at the past is an important step towards understanding the future. Any serious study
of English in the 21st century must start by examining how English came to be in the state it is and
is spoken by those who speak it. What factors have ensured the spread of English? What does this
process tell us about the fate of languages in unique political and cultural contexts? In what domains
of knowledge has English developed particular importance and how recently?
English is remarkable for its diversity, its propensity to change and be changed. This has
resulted in both a variety of forms of English, and also a diversity of cultural contexts within which
English is used in daily life.
The main areas of development in the use and form of English will undoubtedly come from
non-native speakers. How many are these and where are they located? And when and why do they
use English instead of their first language? We need to be aware of the different place that English
has in the lives of native speakers, second language users and those who learn it as a foreign
language.
Britain’s colonial expansion established the pre-conditions for the global use of English,
taking the language from its island birthplace to settlements around the world. The English
language has grown up in contact with many others, making it a hybrid language which can rapidly
evolve to meet new cultural and communicative needs.
The story of English in the 20 th century has been closely linked to the rise of the US as a
superpower which has spread the English language alongside its economic, technological, and
cultural influence. In the same period, the international importance of other European languages,
especially French, has declined.
There are three kinds of English speakers: those who speak it as a first language, those for
whom it is a second or additional language, and those who learn it as a foreign language. Native
speakers may feel the language “belongs” to them, but it will be those who speak English as a
second or foreign language who will determine its world future.

A. Say whether these statements are TRUE or FALSE. Quote from the text to support your answer.

1) It is irrelevant to know where English came from and how it developed.

2) English is a permanent language, one which has remained unchangeable for centuries.

3) Non-native speakers determine the fields in which English is used around the world.

4) During the colonial period English spread through the world without suffering the influence of other
languages.

5) The USA gave English worldwide dominance.

6) There are different kinds of English speakers in the world.

B. Answer the following questions.

1) How did the USA contribute to the current dominance of the English language?

2) In the future most of the world’s population will be multilingual. What is the situation in Portugal? Is it
necessary to learn foreign languages to have a successful future?

C. Find in the text words that mean the same as:

1. destiny (1st paragraph) 4. colonies (4th paragraph)

2. special (1st paragraph) 5. influential nation (5th paragraph)
3. certainly (3rd paragraph) 6. fallen (5th paragraph)

II

A. Complete the table with the equivalent words in American English.

British English American English

memorise
cheque
pyjamas
modelling
flat
tin
rubber
post
serviette
trousers

B. Complete with the correct prepositions.

Speaking languages and being able to communicate (1)_____________different cultures has always been an
advantage but these days it is crucial (2)_________________business. Considering the growing global
markets and the permanent increase (3) __________________customer orientation, it is indispensable (4)
________________any company that aims to keep high levels (5) ________________competitiveness. The
SGI (Saint George International School) method enables students to develop their ability to communicate
effectively in English (6) ________________improving grammatical knowledge, language skills and
confidence. (7) ___________SGI we will help you combine effective academic studies (8) __________a
wide range (9)______________social and cultural activities.

C. Complete with: the, a, an, or zero article.

Even as it grows as (1)______second language, English may still not ever be (2)_______most widely spoken
language in (3)_________world, since so many people are native Chinese speakers and many more are
learning it as (4)________second language. There is (5)________distinct consciousness in (6)_______many
countries, both developed and developing, about (7)______dominance of English. However, there is some
evidence of (8)________resistance to it, and (9)_______enormous desire to change it.

D. Complete with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

1. Nobody will notice if you ____________ (make) a mistake.

2. If I have the time, I ____________ (complete) that letter.
3. What will you do if you ____________ (not get) the job?
4. If I found her address, I __________ (send) her an invitation.
5. If the weather was fine, we ____________ (go) swimming.
 E. Tom is a British tourist visiting Venice. This is the postcard he wrote from there to his
friend Trevor. Fill in the blanks with the right tense of the verbs in brackets. Make
changes in the word order if necessary.
Dear Trevor,
Hi! I (1. write) to you from Venice. We (2. be) here since last Friday and so far, we (3. have) a great time.
Every day we (4. visit) museums and (5. take) gondola trips. Venice (6. be) a really romantic city. By the
way, my parents (7. spend) their honeymoon here twenty years ago. I never (8. be) anywhere so beautiful
before.

F. Combine by means of a purpose clause.

1) Doris is learning Spanish and Italian. She wants to find a better job. (so that)
.............................................................................................................................................
2) He spent three weeks at a language school last summer. He wanted to improve his English. (in order to)
.............................................................................................................................................
3) Some people try to acquire new skills. They want to get ahead in their jobs. (in order that)
.............................................................................................................................................
4) We need to train a lot. We want to show our capacities. (so as to)
.............................................................................................................................................

III

A. “ Although it is important to learn English, educators need to realize that this doesn’t mean
abandoning the native language.”
Do you agree with this statement? Explain your opinion in a well-organised composition. (100 –150 words)
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