ответить на вопросы. і. american english spelling differs from british english spelling largely because of one man, american lexicographer noah webster. in addition to his well-known american dictionary of the english language, webster published the american spelling book (1783, with many subsequent editions), which became one of the most widely used schoolbooks in american history. webster’s books sought to standardize spelling in the united states by promoting the use of an american language that intentionally differed from british english. the development of a specifically american variety of english mirrored the new country’s separate political development. webster’s most successful changes were spellings with or instead of our (honor, labor for the british honour, labour); with er instead of re (center, theater for the british centre, theatre); with an s instead of a c (defense, license for the british defence, licence); with a final ck instead of que (check, mask for the british cheque, masque); and without a final k (traffic, public, now also used in british english, for the older traffick, publick). later spelling reform created a few other differences, such as program for british programme. canadian spelling varies between the british and american forms, more british in eastern canada and more american in western canada. statements 1. the passage mainly discusses: a) noah webster’s literary heritage; b) the varieties of spelling; c) webster’s political preferences; d) popular schoolbooks in america. 2. the passage implies that written british and american words: a) look absolutely different; b) are absolutely the same; c) may differ; d) come from canada. 3. it may be inferred from the passage that webster’s scientific interest was in: a) standards; b) vocabulary; c) editing books; d) political reforms. 4. the changes between american and british english were generated: a) on purpose; b) by accident; c) in canada; d) by politicians. 5. the word “subsequent” in line 4 may most probably mean the following: : a) different; b) expensive; c) following; d) literary. 6. one can make a conclusion that webster’s changes: a) simplified the language; b) were of no importance; c) made the language more difficult for understanding; d) developed the language used in great britain. 7. the word “mirrored” in line 8 is closest in meaning to: a) portrayed; b) reflected; c) generated; d) prevented. 8. it can be seen from the passage that the changes brought into american english must have: a) developed a completely new language; b) stopped using dictionaries; c) required spelling books; d) influenced the original british english. 9. the passage states that in canada: a) people use the only variety of the english language; b) people live only in the east and the west of the country; c) there may be language misunderstanding between people from different regions of the country; d) people use different grammar rules compared to the us. 10.the passage implies that of the two books mentioned in it: a) neither was published; b) both were printed at the same time; c) the spelling book was published before the dictionary; d) the dictionary was published before the spelling book.
2. c
3. a
4. a
5. c
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. c
10. d