The English language is the most (1)_______ spoken language in the world. It is used
as either the first or second language in many countries.
During the sixteenth century, fewer than 2 million people spoke English. All of (2)______
lived in what is now the United Kingdom. Over the centuries, as a result of various historical
events, English (3)______ throughout the world. Today, about 400 million people speak
English as their (4)_______ language. Most of them live in Australia, Canada, the United
Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, (5)_____ the United States.
Another 100 million people, chiefly (6)_____ in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and in many
African (7)_____, speak English in addition to their own language. An additional 200 million
people probably know (8)_______ least some English.
Today, English is the (9)______ language of science and technology. In addition, the
English language is used (10)______ the world in business and diplomacy.