16.阅读下面短文, 按要求完成(1)~(5)题.
English is the first language of about 400 million people and the mother language of 12 countries, However, it has many differences. British, American and South African English are all spoken differently. In many English language courses, the British and American differences are taught. One is not more correct than the other, but there are important differences between the two.
Probably the biggest difference between American and British English is the vocabulary. Different words and expressions are used to talk about the same thing. For example, in the United States, people throw their garbage into the trash can. In England, people throw their rubbish into the dustbin. In Britain, people take a lift to the fifth floor. In America, people take an elevator.
American and British grammar can also be different. For example, speakers of British English will ask "What did you do at the weekend?" but Americans usually say "on the weekend. "In the United States people usually say "I've gotten a new bike, " but in the U. K. they will say I've just got a new bike. "
The pronunciation in American and British English is also different, even when the spelling is the same. The word "tomato" is a classic example of this.
Vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are three ways English is different in different parts of the world. Learning all these is not easy, so English learners should just know that they are always there.
(1)—(2)题完成句子;(3)题简略回答问题;(4)题找出并写下第二段的主题句;(5)题将文中画线句子译成汉语.
(1)English is spoken as the language in 12 countries.
(2)British English and American English are different in vocabulary, grammar and .
(3)How many people speak English as their first language?
(4)
(5)