H.S.C 1st Paper Passage Reading with Synonyms

                                                           Unit-3, Lesson-2

 Statistics (data, figures,) show that about 350 million people (folk, public) speak English as a first language and another 300 million use it as a second language. It is the official (authorized, endorsed ) or semi-official language in more than 60 countries and of many international organizations (groups). The International Olympic Committee (agency, board, team), for example, always holds meetings in English. English helps the international community(municipal) and the business (commercial) world to communicate across national borders (boundaries, margin). Today, more than 80% of all the information in the world's computers is in English, so organizations frequently (often, commonly, habitually,) need employees who speak and write a standard (orthodox, average, customary) form of English. In fact some companies provide (delivery,) English language training for their staff. It is therefore little wonder that job advertisements (trailers, fliers, posters, hoardings)nowadays often ask for a 'good working knowledge' of English. Many believe (trust) now that English usually helps them to get good jobs(occupations, professions,) and better salaries.

1.Chose the right word to complete the sentence:

(a) First language means/ refers to the important/ main/ natural language.

(b) A second language is one that is taught and learnt, as next in importance to the mother tongue/ a foreign language/ a dead language.

(c) The number of people who use English as a second language is about 300/350/250 million

(d) International Olympic Committee holds always meetings in French/English/Arabic

(e) English is used as official or semi-official language in more than 60/50/70 countries .

(f) International Olympic Committee  uses English in some/few/all of its meetings.