English as a Global Language
Roughly, what proportion of the world's population is fluent or competent in English?
20% of the global population
Roughly, about 1 in 5 people in the world can speak or understand English.
Around 400 million people speak English as a first language.
Over 1 billion people speak it as a second or foreign language.
That adds up to 1.4–1.5 billion English speakers worldwide.
Which invention helped spread the English language and standardize spelling in the 1400s? a) The telephone b) The printing press c) The typewriter
b) The printing press
The printing press made books more widely available and helped standardize English spelling
Give an example of the shortest grammatically correct phrase:
I am.
Say it in American English:
lorry
truck
In how many countries is English the official language?
English is an official language in approximately 60 to 70 countries.
The exact number can vary slightly depending on how "official language" is defined, but it's safe to say:
English is the official or one of the official languages in about 67 countries,
and it's also widely spoken in many more as a second language.
The English language is conventionally divided into three historical periods: Old English, Middle English and Modern English. In which of these periods did William Shakespeare write his plays?
Modern English
The period of Modern English extends from the 1500s to the present day. Shakespeare wrote his plays between 1590 and 1613.
Which of these words is an example of a 'false friend' in English and Spanish (a word that looks the same but has a different meaning)? a) Library b) College c) Actual d) Fabric
a) Library
(In English, "library" means a place where books are borrowed, but in Spanish, "librería" means a bookstore, not a library.)
Say it in American English:
bill (restaurant)
check
Which country contains the largest English-speaking population in the world?
Regardless of whether it's their native language or not, India has more people who speak English than the United States
Which of these words was borrowed from French into English? a) Table b) Computer c) Music d) Internet
a) Table
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, many French words entered English, including "table" (from the French word "table").
Which letter is the most commonly used in the English language?
The letter ‘E’. One out of 8 of all the letters written in English is ‘e’.
Say it in American English:
block of flats
apartment building
Why English is called the language of the sky?
Because it is the international language of aviation.
All pilots must identify themselves in English during international flights. Likewise, all air traffic controllers at international airports must be able to communicate with the pilots in English.
From which Old English phrase did the word “Goodbye” originate from? a) God be with you b) God bless you c) Good day to you d) Go in peace
“God be with you”
Give three synonyms for the phrasal verb 'hang out'
Spend time
Chill
Socialize
Say it in American English:
biscuit
cookie
How many words does English have approximately?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), there are approximately 600,000 words listed.
This number includes:
Current words used in everyday speech
Obsolete or historical words no longer commonly used
Technical terms, slang, and dialect variations
What language does English originate from?
English originates from the Germanic language family, specifically from the Anglo-Frisian branch of the Germanic languages. As a result, English has vocabulary and grammar influenced by various languages, including Germanic, Latin, and French (especially after the Norman Conquest in 1066)
How many new words appear in the English Language every year?
It's estimated that around 1,000 to 2,000 new words are added to the English language every year.
Say it in American English:
postcode
zip code