Test Paper

I.

Reading Comprehension

The hardest language

People often ask which is the most difficult language to learn, and it is not easy to answer
because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, in a first language the
differences are unimportant as people learn their mother tongue naturally, so the question of
how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when learning a second language.
A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a
native speaker of Chinese, for example, because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish, while
Chinese is very different, so first language can affect learning a second language. The greater
the differences between the second language and our first, the harder it will be for most people
to learn. Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn, possibly influenced
by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system, and the pronunciation of Chinese does
appear to be very difficult for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who
already use Chinese characters in their own language, learning writing will be less difficult than
for speakers of languages using the Roman alphabet.
Some people seem to learn languages readily, while others find it very difficult. Teachers and
the circumstances in which the language is learned also play an important role, as well as each
learner's motivation for learning. If people learn a language because they need to use it
professionally, they often learn it faster than people studying a language that has no direct use
in their day to day life.
Apparently, British diplomats and other embassy staff have found that the second hardest
language is Japanese, which will probably come as no surprise to many, but the language that
they have found to be the most problematic is Hungarian, which has 35 cases (forms of a nouns
according to whether it is subject, object, genitive, etc). This does not mean that Hungarian is
the hardest language to learn for everyone, but it causes British diplomatic personnel, who are
generally used to learning languages, the most difficulty. However, Tabassaran, a Caucasian
language has 48 cases, so it might cause more difficulty if British diplomats had to learn it.
Different cultures and individuals from those cultures will find different languages more difficult.
In the case of Hungarian for British learners, it is not a question of the writing system, which
uses a similar alphabet, but the grammatical complexity, though native speakers of related
languages may find it easier, while struggling with languages that the British find relatively easy.
No language is easy to learn well, though languages which are related to our first language are
easier. Learning a completely different writing system is a huge challenge, but that does not
necessarily make a language more difficult than another. In the end, it is impossible to say that
there is one language that is the most difficult language in the world.

1. The question of how hard a language is to learn is relevant to both first and second
language acquisition.
a. False b. True
2.

Portuguese is definitely easier than Chinese.

a. False b. True

3. A Japanese speaker may well find the Chinese writing system easier than a speaker of a
European language.
a. False b. True
4.

The Hungarian alphabet causes problems for British speakers.

a. False b. True

5. Hungarian is the hardest language in the world

a. False b. True
6.

Hungarian has as many cases as Tabassaran.

a. False b. True

7. Many British diplomats learn Tabassaran.

a. False b. True
8.

The writer thinks that learning new writing systems is easy.

a. False b. True

II.

Grammar & Vocabulary

A. Choose the correct option

1.

A. He told he wasnt feeling well

B. He said he doesnt feeling well
C. He said he wasnt feeling well

2.

A. We wont know how to do after we get the results

B. When we get the results we wont know what to do
C. We wont know what to do until we get the results

3.

A. If you wouldnt tell me, Ill scream!

B. If you dont tell me, Ill scream!
C. If you didnt tell me, Ill scream!

4.

A. Hes probably lost her number

B. Hes lost her number, probably
C. Probably, hes lost her number

5.

A. Ill only tell you, if you can keep a secret

B. If you can keep a secret, I would tell you
C. you cant keep a secret, if I did tell you

6.

A. What do you think well be doing in five years

time?
B. What do you think youre doing in five years time?
C. What do you think we do in five years time?

7.

A. I didnt do that if I were you

B. I wouldnt do that if I were you
C. I wouldnt do that if I was you

8.

A. I usually to live in Paris, but now I live in Madrid

B. I used to live in Paris, but now I live in Madrid
C. I am used to live in Paris, but now I live in Madrid

9.

A. This time tomorrow, I am in Tokio

B. This time tomorrow, I am being in Tokio
C. This time tomorrow, I will be in Tokio

10.

A. You didnt use to smoke, did you?

B. You usent to smoke, did you?
C. You arent used to smoke, did you?

11.

A. He looked tired, because he had travelled all day

B. He looked tired, because he had been travelling all
day
C. He looked tired, because he had travelling all day

12.

A. Sarah is working on something done!

B. Sarah is having some work done!
C. Sarah is doing work done!

13.

A. You must have drink something!

B. You must have drinking!
4

C. You must have been drinking!

14.

A. Shes so nice a woman!

B. She s such a nice woman!
C. Shes a so nice woman!

15.

A. I was told the party was next friday

B. I told the party was next Friday
C. told them the party was next friday

B. Correct the word order

1. is American her second husband?

2. he dances beautifully the Waltz

3. about what is the movie?

4. nobody was injured seriously in the accident

5. what means does 'Glitterati'?

6. I like very much this restaurant

7. almost he missed the flight

8. he has lost his keys probably

9. he didnt say goodbye even

10. how many cigarettes usually you do smoke a day?

C. Confusing words
1.

Ive met / known him since I was a little girl.

2.

He told / said us that he would be here later.

3.

We met when we were doing / taking an exam.

4.

It doesnt mind / matter if we arrive a bit late.

5.

They won / earned a lot of money in the Lottery.

6.

Do you see the guy carrying / wearing the dark glasses?

7.

Remind / Remember me to take an umbrella when I leave.

8.

I suddenly realized / noticed that she was wearing my green jacket.

9.

He spends all his time avoiding / preventing me, because he owes me money.

10. We are expecting / hoping some visitors this weekend.

III.

Writing

Write a letter to your landlord asking him or her to fix a problem in your apartment. Explain the
problem you are having in detail. Try to write at least 2 paragraphs.