The number of American students who learned a language other than English decreased by about 100,000 between 2009 and 2013. For many, taking a class in economics might seem more useful than a French course. 

Which languages will control the future? It depends on where you are and what you want to do in the future.You want to make money? These will be your languages. A report listed more than 20 growing markets and their languages. The report focused on languages spoken in the so-called BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China. And Hindi, Bengali(孟加拉语), Urdu and Indonesian(印尼语) will control much of the business world by 2050. If you want to get the most money out of your language course, studying one of the languages listed above is probably a safe choice.

You want to speak to as many people as possible? How about Chinese, Spanish or French?

1. Chinese. Although Chinese has three times more native speakers than English, it's still not wildly used over the world. Moreover, Chinese is only rarely used in sciences and difficult to read and write.

2. Spanish. Spanish doesn’t have so many native speakers, but it is very popular as a second language, it is taught in schools around the world.

3. French. French is not so popular in Europe now. However, in West Africa, there are a large number of people speak French, and it is good to help West Africa develop.

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1.What does “many” refer to in the paragraph 1?

A American students.

B English students.

C Economics.

D French students.

解析：选A。语义猜测题。根据第1段可知美国学习英语之外语言的学生少了，他们宁愿学经济学，所以此处many应指美国学生，故选A。

2.Which country in NOT in the BRIC?

A Brazil.

B Russia.

C Indonesia.

D China.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第2段第6句The report focused on languages spoken in the so-called BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China.可知，故选C。

3.How many years later will Hindi control much of the business world?

A 15

B 20

C 25

D 35

解析：选D。数字计算题。根据第2段第7句And Hindi, Bengali(孟加拉语), Urdu and Indonesian(印尼语) will control much of the business world by 2050.可知现在到2050年还有35年，故选D。

4.Chinese has_____ more native speakers than English.

A twice

B three times

C four times

D five times

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据文章第4段Although Chinese has three times more native speakers than English,…可知，故选B。

5.French is widely spoken in_______.

A North Africa

B South Africa

C West Africa

D Europe

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据文章最后一句However, in West Africa, there are a large number of people speak French,…可知，故选C。