6 Read the conversation and compare you answer with Misha's and Jim's.
Misha: Excuse me, may I come in?
Mr Grams: Yes, you may, Inin. But please don't interrupt the lesson again. Let's start. Today we are going to talk about the English language. They say that English is the Latin of the 21st century. Why is English so popular? What do you think, MacWizard?
Rob: I've never thought about it. I have always taken it for granted that people from different countries understand me.
Jim: I think people learn English because the Americans speak it. And America is the biggest country in the world.
Rob: Oh, don't give us that! There are a lot of big countries such as Russia, China, India, but not so many foreigners speak Russian or Chinese.
Misha: Can I say something now? I think it's popular because it's easy.
Jim: Do you really think so?
Misha: Yes, I do and I can prove it. Let's compare English with Russian, for example.
Plurals are easier. You just have to add an -(e)s in the end. Compare: Tables, books, trees.— Столы, книги, деревья. Genders are simpler. In English you use "she" for women, "he" for men and all other words are "it". In Russian we have tree (it), table (he), book (she), room (she). It's very difficult. English words don't change so much.
I read this book every day. — Я читаю эту книгу каждый день. We read this book every day. — Мы читаем эту книгу каждый день. You read this book every day. — Ты читаешь эту книгу каждый день. They read this book every day. — Они читают эту книгу каждый день. Не (She) reads this book every day.— Он (Она) читает эту книгу каждый день.
You read this book.— Вы читаете эту книгу.
Mr Grams: I think that's very true. English isn't a difficult language. And another thing: several European languages contributed to the formation of English. Can you tell me which?
Misha: Excuse me, may I come in?
Mr Grams: Yes, you may, Inin. But please don't interrupt the lesson again. Let's start. Today we are going to talk about the English language. They say that English is the Latin of the 21st century. Why is English so popular? What do you think, MacWizard?
Rob: I've never thought about it. I have always taken it for granted that people from different countries understand me.
Jim: I think people learn English because the Americans speak it. And America is the biggest country in the world.
Rob: Oh, don't give us that! There are a lot of big countries such as Russia, China, India, but not so many foreigners speak Russian or Chinese.
Misha: Can I say something now? I think it's popular because it's easy.
Jim: Do you really think so?
Misha: Yes, I do and I can prove it. Let's compare English with Russian, for example.
Plurals are easier. You just have to add an -(e)s in the end. Compare: Tables, books, trees.— Столы, книги, деревья. Genders are simpler. In English you use "she" for women, "he" for men and all other words are "it". In Russian we have tree (it), table (he), book (she), room (she). It's very difficult. English words don't change so much.
I read this book every day. — Я читаю эту книгу каждый день. We read this book every day. — Мы читаем эту книгу каждый день. You read this book every day. — Ты читаешь эту книгу каждый день. They read this book every day. — Они читают эту книгу каждый день. Не (She) reads this book every day.— Он (Она) читает эту книгу каждый день.
You read this book.— Вы читаете эту книгу.
Mr Grams: I think that's very true. English isn't a difficult language. And another thing: several European languages contributed to the formation of English. Can you tell me which?