A1 English Listening Practice - The English Language

The video discusses the global reach of the English language, highlighting that nearly 400 million people speak it as their first language, with many more as a second language. It traces the history of English from Old to Modern English and explains how Latin and French have significantly influenced its vocabulary. The video also touches on the Germanic roots of English and the concept of cognates, which help English speakers understand words in other languages. Finally, it emphasizes the vast vocabulary of English, enriched by borrowing from various languages.

Which country is NOT mentioned as a place where English is a major language?

• Belize

• Jamaica

• Guyana

• Brazil

When did Old English transition into Middle English?

• 11th century

• 5th century

• 16th century

• 14th century

What percentage of modern English words are derived from Latin or French?

• 60%

• 40%

• 30%

• 50%

To which language family does English belong?

• Romance

• Slavic

• Germanic

• Celtic

Why can English speakers often understand Spanish words?

• Because English speakers learn Spanish in school

• Because Spanish is a Germanic language

• Due to the presence of cognates

• Because English and Spanish are related languages