Colour and color，favourite and favorite... Have you ever wondered why Americans spell those words without a u? Is it because they are lazy?
Of course not. In fact，the difference in spelling was created by Noah Webster (1758-1843). He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger. Linguists (语言学家) celebrated his 250th birthday on October 16. After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783)，Webster believed that Americans should have their own dictionary，rather than rely on British versions (版本). He dropped the British u in some words. And he changed centre into center for children to learn English by spelling words more like they sounded.
Webster wasn't shy about expressing his opinions. In defining (定义) preposterous (unreasonable)，he wrote: A republican government in the hands of females is preposterous.
Webster spent 28 years on the project before pleting the 70,000-word dictionary in 1828 with his American-style spellings. He also added local words. His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom.
He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity，said Joshua Kendall，who is working on a biography (传记) about Webster. He at last bonded (联合)us through our language.
【小题1】Which of the following would probably be the best title for the passage? A．The shaper of American English. B．American identity. C．Webster's dictionary.D．Spelling differences between American and British English.【小题2】According to the passage，when he worked on his dictionary, Noah Webster did all of the following EXCEPT .A．voicing his opinion B．changing centre into center C．adding local words D．dropping u in all the British words【小题3】Which of the following word can best describe Noah Webster’s work? A．InterestingB．Meaningful. C．UnfinishedD．Boring.【小题4】Why did Noah Webster create these differences in his dictionary? A．Because he wanted to make English simple and easy. B．Because he wanted to show that the USA is stronger than the UK.C．Because he wanted to achieve political freedom. D．Because he wanted American English to have its own characteristics.【小题5】When did Noah Webster probably begin his project of the dictionary? A．In 1758. B．In 1783. C．In 1800.D．In 1828.A
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(答案→)A
解析：文章介绍了Noah Webster希望美式英语有自己的特点而改变美式英语的故事。
【小题1】主旨题：文章介绍了Noah Webster 如何改变美式英语的，最后一段对他的评价是He was the shaper of our language and the shaper of American identity ，所以选A
【小题2】细节题：文章第二，三，四段提到ABC的内容，D项是错误的，因为只有部分单词的u被去掉了。选D。
【小题3】推理题：从第四段的句子：His dictionary was widely used in schools. Linguists believed it helped a new nation achieve unity and cultural independence at a time when most were focused on political freedom. 可知Webster的工作是很有意义的。选B。
【小题4】推理题：从第二段的句子：He is a teacher who reformed English to make American identity stronger.可知是希望美式英语有自己的特点。选D
【小题5】推理题：文章第二段的时间After the Revolutionary War (1775~ 1783)可知答案是C