Learning English for 2008 Beijing OlympicsYang Zhenhua has been a taxi driver for years

Learning English for 2008 Beijing Olympics

Yang Zhenhua has been a taxi driver for years. He knows every corner of the city. His work usually wins him thanks except when he meets foreigners, for Yang doesn't know any English.

"Now I study English in my free time," said Yang in his 40s. He pulls an English textbook from the toolbox. "I study English to help with Beijing Olympics," he said proudly. Yang is just one of the millions of common people in Beijing who started to learn English when Beijing became the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games. Learning and speaking is hot among the people of this 3,000-year-old city. From schools to factories, men and women, old and young are studying their "ABC". Books teaching useful expressions for everyday communication(交际) are the most popular.

Some people, such as taxi drivers, bus conductors and the policemen, are asked to learn basic English. Nearly 3,000 students from 50 universities in Beijing went to the streets last August as volunteers to teach English to the people of this city. They taught common and useful sentences, such as greetings and asking and answering simple questions. Official figures show that about 15% of Beijing citizens can speak English. It is said that it will rise to 70% or 80% during the following years. Besides, the government encourages the use of English in many places. The city underground railways give messages by radio in both English and Chinese. English, not Chinese, is used as the most important working language for the Olympic Committee(委员会). Nearly all the committee members can speak English freely. Many are good at the language.

1)、Yang Zhenhua can hardly win himself thanks from foreigners because he is a common taxi driver.

A.T

B.F

2)、According to the passage, the English beginners in Beijing like to learn English news best.

A.T

B.F

3)、Nearly 3,000 students from 50 universities in Beijing went to the streets last August to tell people the importance of English.

A.T

B.F

4)、Beijing citizens are encouraged to use as much English as possible.

A.T

B.F

5)、The passage is about more and more people are learning English in Beijing.

A.T

B.F