When I was growing up in America, I was ashamed of my mother’s Chinese English.

When I was growing up in America, I was ashamed of mymother’s Chinese English. Because of her English, she was often treatedunfairly. People in department stores, at banks and at restaurants did not takeher seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her,or even acted as if they did not hear her.

My mother has realized the limitations of her Englishas well. When I was fifteen, she used to have me call people on phone topretend I was she. I was forced to ask for information or even to yell atpeople who had been rude to her. One time I had to call her stockbroker(股票经纪人). I said in an adolescent voice that was not veryconvincing, “This is Mrs. Tan.”

And my mother was standing beside me, whisperingloudly, “Why he don’t send me cheek already two week long.”

And then, in prefect English I said, “I’m gettingrather concerned. You agreed to send the check two weeks ago, but it hasn’tarrived.”

Then she talked more loudly. “What he want? I come toNew York tell him front of his boss.” And so I turned to the stockbroker again,“I can’t tolerate any more excuse. If I don’t receive the check immediately, Iam going to have to speak to your manager when I am in New York next week.”

The next week we ended up in New York. While I wassitting there red-faced, my mother, the real Mrs. Tan, was shouting to his bossin her broken English.

When I was a teenager, my mother’s broken Englishembarrassed me. But now, I see it differently. To me, my mother’s English isperfectly clear, perfectly natural. It is my mother tongue. Her language, as Ihear it, is vivid, direct, and full of observation and wisdom. It was thelanguage that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed ideas, and madesense of the world.

1. Why was the author’s mother poorly served?

A．She wasunable to speak good English.

B．She was oftenmisunderstood.

C．She was notclearly heard.

D．She was notvery polite.

2. After the author made the phone call, __________.

A．they forgavethe stockbroker

B．they failedto get the check

C．they went toNew York immediately

D．they spoke totheir boss at once

3. What does the author think of her mother’s Englishnow?

A．It confusesher.

B．Itembarrassed her.

C．It helps herunderstand the world.

D．It helps hertolerate rude people.

4. We can infer from the passage that Chinese English_________.

A．is clear andnatural to non-native speakers

B．is vivid and directto non-native speakers

C．has a verybad reputation in America

D．may bringinconvenience in America

试题答案

【答案】

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

试题