As the English language has changed at a fast speed in this century, so has the use of

the English language.

After the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was founded in 1927, the particular style. of speech of the BBC announcers was recognized as Standard English or Received Pronunciation (RP) English.Now, most people still consider that the pronunciation and delivery of BBC announcers is the clearest and most understandable spoken English.

English has had a strong association with class and social status.However, since the Second World War there has been a considerable change of attitude towards speech snobbery, and hallmarks of class distinction such as styles of speech have been gradually discarded, especially by the younger generation.

As the need has arisen, new words have been invented or found from other languages and incorporated into English.Similarly, old words and expressions have been discarded as their usefulness has diminished or the fashions have passed.This also happens to styles and modes of speech which became fashionable at a particular time and in specific circumstances.

By the end of the 1960s it became apparent that it was not necessary to speak Standard English or even correct grammar to become popular, successful and rich.The fashionable speech of the day was no longer the prerogative of a privileged class but rather a defiant expression of class lessness.

The greatest single influence of the shaping of the English language in modern times is the American English.Over the last 25 years the English used by many people, particularly by those in the media, advertising and show business, has become more and more mid-Atlantic in style, delivery and accent.

In the 1970s, fashion favoured stressless pronunciation and a language full of jargon, slang and “in” words, much of it quite incomprehensible to the outside world.What is considered modern and fashionable in Britain today is often not the kind of English taught in schools and colleges.

1.Which one of the following is NOT true？

A.The use of the English language has not changed much in this century.

B.The BBS announcers speak Standard English.

C.English has no association with class and social status now.

D.Young people all speak English in the same way.

2.What does the author imply by saying “there has been a considerable change of attitude towards speech snobbery” (Para.3)？

A.People all speak English like BBC announcers.

B.There is a great change of attitude about how English should be spoken.

C.Some people still think their way of speaking is inferior.

D.Most people don’t believe their way of speaking is inferior.

3.According to the author, there was a trend in the U.S.for the young people _________.

A.to speak Standard English.

B.to speak English without class distinction

C.to speak English with class distinction

D.to speak English with grammar mistakes

4.The word “mid-Atlantic” in the passage (Para.6) probably means _________.

A.American and European

B.American and British

C.the Atlantic Ocean

D.in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

5.It can be concluded from the passage that ________.

A.Standard English is taught in school and colleges

B.the young people are defiant because they refuse to speak standard English

C.English language is influenced by American English in the last 25 years

D.there has been a great change in the English language in this century