Part B Directions: In the following text, some
sentences have been removed. For Questions (41-45), choose the most suitable one
from the list A-G to fit into each of the numbered blank. There are two extra
choices, which do not fit in any of the gaps.
In the following text, some sentences have been removed. For
Questions (41-45), choose the most suitable one from the list A-G to fit into
each of the numbered blank. There are two extra choices, which do not fit in any
of the gaps. English has become the world’s number one
language in the 20th century. In every country where English is not the native
language, especially in the Third World, people must strive to learn it to the
best of their abilities, if they want to participate fully in the development of
their countries. 41．______ A close examination reveals a
great number of languages have fallen casualty to English. For example, it has
wiped out Hawaiian, Welsh, Scotch Gaelic, Irish, native American languages, and
many others. Luckily, some of these languages are now being revived, such as
Hawaiian and Welsh, and these languages will live again, hopefully, if dedicated
people continue their work of reviving them. 42．______If this situation
continues, the native or official languages of these countries will certainly
die within two or three generations. This phenomenon has been called linguistic
genocide. A language dies if it is not fully used in most activities,
particularly as a medium of instruction in schools.
43．______According to many studies, only around 20 to 25 percent of
students in these countries can manage to learn the language of instruction
(English) as well as basic subjects at the same time. Many leaders of these
Third World countries are obsessed with English and for them English is
everything. They seem to believe that if the students speak English, they are
already knowledgeable. These leaders speak and write English much better than
their national languages. If these leaders deliver speeches anywhere in the
world they use English and they feel more at home with it and proud of their
ability as well. The citizens of their countries do not understand their
leaders’ speeches because they are made in a foreign language.
All the greatest countries of the world are great because they constantly
use their own languages in all national development activities, including
education. From a psychological point of view, those who are taught in
their own language from the start will develop better self-confidence and
self-reliance. From a linguistic point of view, the best brains can only be
produced if students are educated in their own language from the start. 44.
There is nothing wrong, however, in learning a foreign language
at advanced levels of education. 45. [A] But many people
are concerned that English’s dominance will destroy native languages.
[B] But the best thing to do is to have a good education
in one’s native language first, then go abroad to have a university
education in a foreign language. [C] Suppose you work in a big
firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal
with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve
your English, especially your spoken English. [D] Nonetheless,
a world full of different languages will disappear if the present trend in
many countries to use English to replace the national or official
languages in education, trade and even politics continues. [E]
Those who are taught in a foreign language from the start will tend to be
imitators and lack self-confidence. They will tend to rely on foreign
consultants. [F] Here are some advertisements about English
language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need.
[G] The Third World countries that are now using English as a
medium of instruction are depriving 75 percent of their future leaders of
a proper education.