America—the symbol of multiculturalism(多元文化主义), the great melting pot—qualifies as part of the developed world, right? Not quite, if we consider the state of second language learning in schools across the country. According to a 2018 study, Europe often tops the U.S. in foreign language education in schools. 92% of European students are learning a language in school. In America it’s only 20%. In more than 20 European countries, studying a foreign language for at least one year is compulsory. In comparison, only 10 states and Washington D. C. require learning a foreign language for graduation. 

I went to a public school in Pennsylvania that ranked on Newsweek’s list of America’s top high schools in 2015. Foreign language learning was not a graduation requirement. A common response to such stories and statistics is: So what? Why should Americans care about learning another language when English has recently seemed to dominate as the official language of the world?

The world is globalizing faster than we can imagine. More than half of the world’s population speaks more than one language. It is also increasingly becoming the need for success in this globalizing world. Having the ability to speak a second language opens up the possibility of traveling and immersing yourself in another part of the world. This means people can experience other cultures and traditions in places where you were previously kept away because you could not communicate in the language.

Learning a second language can be an efficient vehicle to help to bridge communities. Language is inseparable from culture, from politics, and from human identity. To speak another language means having access to a universe of different experiences and worldviews of another community of people. However all these possibilities become realities only when students are taught a second language at a young age. A 2018 MIT study suggests that native-like proficiency in a language is achieved only if students start learning by ten years old. In Europe, the average age that a student starts learning a language is between six and nine. American schools should follow suit.

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1.What can we know from the first paragraph?

A America qualifies as a developed country in every respect.

B America suggests English be taught in all European countries.

C America attaches little importance to foreign language education.

D America is trying to make studying a foreign language compulsory.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。根据第一段的“Not quite”“In America it’s only 20%.”以及“only 10 states and Washington D. C. require learning a foreign language for graduation.”可知，美国不太重视外语教学。故选C。

2.What’s Americans’ common attitude towards the state of second language learning?

A Less concerned.

B More worried.

C Less doubtful.

D Very supportive.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据第二段的“A common response to such stories and statistics is: So what? Why should Americans care about learning another language...”可知很多美国人对本国目前外语教学的现状的态度是“那又怎样”，即并不怎么关心。故选A。

3.What does the underlined word “It” refer to in Paragraph 3?

A The world’s globalization.

B Speaking a second language.

C The possibility of traveling around.

D Experiencing other cultures and traditions.

解析：选B。B 词意指代题。根据划线词所在句的前一句“More than half of the world’s population speaks more than one language.”以及后一句“Having the ability to speak a second language opens up the possibility of...”可知，作者认为在这个全球化的世界，会说外语很重要。故选B。

4.What does the author suggest in the last paragraph?

A Foreign languages could only be taught in schools.

B Americans use a second language to communicate.

C Languages can be separated from culture and politics.

D Americans should start learning foreign languages early.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据最后一段的“when students are taught a second language at a young age.”以及最后一句“American schools should follow suit.”可知，作者建议美国人早点开始学习外语。故选D。