6
EXTRA
PRACTICE
Read the text and answer the questions that follow.
English or Chinese?
I
For decades, China isolated itself from the rest of the world. However, as China has opened up and modernised,
Western culture and the English language have expanded throughout the country. Western brands are now widely
available, and there are large numbers of students wanting to study English. However, not everyone is so
enthusiastic about these changes. Some Chinese feel that the craze for English and Western culture in China could
be detrimental to their country in the long run.
II
In particular, some people are concerned that the increasing flow of English words and phrases into Chinese
conversation could endanger the future of the language. This concern has resulted in a demand for linguistic purity.
For example, Chinese media were told by the government to start using a list of official Chinese translations for
English abbreviations.
III
Some people believe that in order to strengthen young people’s connection to their language and culture, it’s
necessary to shift the emphasis away from English and towards Chinese. As a result, the demand for private
Chinese-language tutoring schools is growing. In addition to the normal curriculum, these schools introduce
children to classic Chinese literature and traditional culture.
IV
What’s more, there’s a move to lessen the importance of English in the education system. At the moment, English
has equal weight with maths and Chinese in the annual university exams. Recently, the Ministry of Education has
announced plans to reduce the points allotted to English in the exams, while raising the points for Chinese.
V
While this attempt to contain the spread of Western values in China may be understandable, there’s a danger that it
may backfire. A reduced emphasis on English education in school may well result in lower English proficiency
among secondary-school students, which may have a negative effect on international business and the Chinese
economy further down the line.
VI
What’s more, the Chinese government may have to accept the fact that “cultural purity” is a thing of the past.
As China continues to develop as an economic superpower, people from all over the world are flocking to study
Chinese. Cultural exchange, it appears, goes both ways.
1
Decide if the sentences are T (true) or F (false). Find
evidence in the text to justify your answers.
...... 1. The Chinese don’t use abbreviations.
.....................................................................
...... 2. Classic Chinese literature and traditional culture
are a part of the normal school curriculum.
.....................................................................
2
Choose the correct answer:
The writer believes that the Chinese government ...... .
a. cannot prevent the spread of Western culture
in China
b. shouldn’t be concerned about the spread of
Western culture in China
c. should promote the spread of Western culture
in China
3
Complete the sentences according to the information
in the text.
1. The Ministry of Education has reduced the points for
English in the university entrance exam so that ........
................................................................................. .
2. People in the West are interested in learning Chinese
because .................................................................. .
4
Answer the question.
What is the connection between the level of English
in China and the Chinese economy?
...................................................................................
...................................................................................
5
Find words in the text that mean the following:
1. harmful (paragraph I) ....................................
2. threaten (paragraph II) ....................................
3. move (paragraph III) ....................................
4. given (paragraph IV) ....................................
5. have bad results
(paragraph V) ....................................
