阅读理解。
On October 19, 1959, the first Special English program was broadcast on the Voice of America. It was
an experiment. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native
language was not English. Experts said the goal was admirable (令人敬畏的),but the method would not work.
They were proved wrong. The Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA.
And they still are.
Forty years later, Special English continues to communicate with people who are not fluent in English. But
during the years its role has expanded. It also helps people learn American English. And it provides listeners,
even those who are native English speakers, with information they cannot find elsewhere.
Today, Special English broadcasts around the world seven days a week, five times a day. Each half-hour
broadcast begins with 10 minutes of the latest news followed by 20 minutes of feature programming. There is
a different short feature every weekday about science, development, agriculture and environment, and on the
weekend, about news events and American idioms.
Three elements make Special English unique. It has a limited vocabulary of 1,500 words. Most are simple
words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Special English is written in short, simple sentences that
contain only one idea. And Special English is spoken at a slower pace, about two-thirds the speed of Standard
English. This helps people learning English hear each word clearly. It also helps people who are English
speakers understand complex subjects.
Through the years, Special English has become a very popular tool for teaching English, even though it
was not designed as a teaching program. It succeeds in helping people learn English in a non-traditional way.
In countries around the world, English teachers assign Special English to their students. They praise it for
improving their students' ability to understand American English and for the content of the programs.
Universities and private companies in many countries produce packages of Special English materials for
students' use.
1. At the beginning, Special English program was _____. [ ]
A. well received
B. rejected by native people
C. doubted by some professionals
D. intended for teaching English
2. What kind of English is spoken on Special English? [ ]
A. British English
B. American English
C. Both British and American English
D. Not certain
3. Which of the following are the elements that make Special English unique?
a. limited vocabulary
b. short simple sentences
c. good communication method
d. slow speed
e. interesting feature programming [ ]
A. a, b, e
B. a, c, d
C. a, b, d
D. b, d, e
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE? [ ]
A. Special English has been founded for less than 50 years.
B. Native English speakers don't go in for Special English much.
C. Special English usually starts with 20 minutes of the latest news.
D. People can learn some idioms from Special English.
5. From the last paragraph we can infer that _____. [ ]
A. Listening to Special English can be a student's homework
B. Listening to Special English can improve the content of the program
C. Some students record the Special English material for sale
D. Learning English from VOA is a traditional way for English learners
