Crowdly

unlikely

impossible

complex

. In the most recent EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) ranking, the Netherlands came in 1^st out of 72 countries in English skills. (2)
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. These results beg the question: Why are the Dutch so unbelievably good at English?

YOU ARE GOING TO READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE DUTCH BEING GOOD AT ENGLISH. TEN PHRASES/SENTENCES HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ARTICLE. CHOOSE FROM THE PHRASES A-J THE ONE WHICH FITS EACH GAP (1-10).

Why the Dutch are so good at English?

The Netherlands is known for many things. Windmills, wooden shoes, cheese and tall, blond people might come to mind when attempting to paint a mental picture of the country. Apart from all that, the Dutch are famous for being good at learning foreign languages. And now, (1)

Since the Scandinavian countries’ economies rely on business and trade with foreign countries, particularly those (3)

, it is important for people involved in business in countries like the Netherlands to be proficient in the English language. And so the Dutch have needed to learn English to enter the global market.

(4)

, the Netherlands don’t dub foreign language TV and movies. As a result, Dutch children grow up hearing English in popular culture from a very early age. Countries with a large enough audience for dubbed TV shows and movies, Like France or Germany, dub everything, and as a result, (5)
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. Dubbing seems to make people less linguistically receptive to foreign languages, a condition the Dutch have successfully avoided.

It is common for Dutch students to travel while studying and take part in different exchange programs abroad. Since EF’s Amsterdam office opened in 1970, EF Education First has witnessed steady growth in the number of students from the Netherlands (6)

. English opens doors not just economically, but also for the average Dutch tourist, and so it’s no wonder there’s interest in this global language.

And finally, before any English test, the Dutch can thank their linguistic ancestors. Dutch is a Germanic language, (7)

, and so they share many roots and characteristics. De? The. Bier? Beer. Wafel? Waffle. That means it is easier for them to recognise many similarities between English and their own language (8)
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.

The Dutch have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to English skills – (9)

. Anyone who remembers that New York was once New Amsterdam will know that the adventurous Dutch have always been a country with global ambitions. The Netherlands is a great example of how a country’s English proficiency can make it globally competitive and future-friendly. (10)
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, doesn’t it?

just like English

they’re ranked Number 1 in English

Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase “going Dutch”

that either speak English as a national language or use it as a lingua franca

90 percent of respondents in the Netherlands claim to know English

who are travelling abroad and taking gap years

Perhaps as a consequence of this

have much less success in integrating English into their cultural life

and benefit from it enormously

which makes the learning process far easier

The phrase have usually turned a blind eye to this practice in line 8, means that

companies have dismissed the problem as nonsense

companies have deliberately ignored the problem

companies have paid close attention to the problem

companies have greatly contributed to solving the problem

The phrase evanescent nature of fame in line 34 means:

tendency to disappear quickly

stable nature

long-lasting nature

disappointing nature

Mayes implies that music companies

could cut costs by making cheaper CDs.

should not promote artists who are unknown.

should use different manufacturing processes.

are speculating when they promote new artists

What does Mayes think is at the root of the dilemma facing the music industry?

the unprecedented speed of technological advances

the rapidly changing nature of contemporary music

its failure to adopt an appropriate long-term strategy

unrealistic legal advice

Why does the writer feel that MP3s are unlike copies of audio cassettes?

Downloaded MP3 files are generally not for private use.

The financial losses to the music industry are greater.

The price of MP3s is greater than the price of audio cassettes.

There is a significant difference in quality.

According to the article, it is commonly accepted that

producing pirate CDs in order to make money is a serious offence.

the Music Recording Association should ignore infringements.

downloading MP3 files is more serious than making audio cassettes.

the laws regarding illegal music recordings should be amended.

Mayes thinks that the recording industry's recent announcement

will deter consumers from buying CDs.

makes the industry appear ludicrous.

will encourage resentment of CD piracy.

fails to take into account the difficulties of prosecuting offenders.

The writer points out that the music industry cannot be blamed for

the poor quality of much modern music.

the fact that fashions change quickly.

the fact that fewer teenagers are buying classical music CDs.

the prices that are charged for CDs in shops.