Many foreigners who have not visited Britain call all the inhabitants(居民) English, for they are used to thinking of the British Isles as England. In fact, the British Isles contain a variety of peoples and only the people of England call themselves English. The others refer to themselves as Welsh, Scottish, or Irish, as the case may be; they are often slightly annoyed(苦恼) at being classified as 'English'.
In Scotland the sound denoted by the letter 'R' is generally a strong sound, and 'R' is often pronounced in words in which it would be silent in southern English. In the Highlands and the Western Isles the ancient Scottish language, Gaelic, is still heard. The Scots are said to be a serious, cautious, thrifty(节约的) people, rather inventive(善于创造的) and somewhat mystical. All the Celtic peoples of Britain (the Welsh, the Irish, the Scots) are often described as being more 'fiery(暴躁的)' than the English. They are often of a race that is quite different from the English.
The Welsh have protected their language to a remarkable extent. The English generally look upon the Welsh as an emotional(易动感情的) people who are, however, somewhat difficult to get to know easily.
Ireland is divided into two parts. The six countries of Northern Ireland are still part of Great Britain, though, in normal circumstances(环境), they have their own Parliament. The Irish are known for their charm and vivacity(活泼), as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls. Irish, often calls Erse, is a form of Gaelic. It was in danger of dying out, but when the territory(地域) of the Republic became independent, Erse was received, and is now the official first language of the Republic, English being the second. The Irish are known for their charm and vivacity, as well as for the beauty of the Irish girls.
小题1:Why do many foreigners call the inhabitants English?
A．Because only English live on the British Isles.
B．Because only English plays a more important role than the others.
C．Because all the people are glad to be regarded as English.
D．Because they are used to thinking of the British Isles as England.小题2:Today we still can hear Gaelic--the ancient Scottish language in __________.
A．both England and Scotland
B．both Wales and Ireland
C．both Highland and Western Isles
D．both Northern Ireland and England小题3: According to the passage, which of the statements is TRUE?
A．“R” is often pronounced in words in which it would be silent in north English.
B．The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots are all the Celtic peoples of Britain.
C．The Celtic peoples are often of a race that is little different from the English.
D．The Welsh have not protected their language very carefully.小题4:Irish is a form of ________, and is now the official ______ language of the Republic.
A．English; first
B．Gaelic; second
C．Gaelic; first
D．English; second
