English 1-2 Reading Worksheet

Name(s):

Instructions:

 The worksheets can be completed individually or in pairs.

 Responses answered at home must be typed. Remember to use your own words to
answer the questions. If you copy a fragment from the chapter, don’t forget to include
quotations marks and an in-text citation (APA format preferred).

 Remember to leave some blank spaces in case you want to complete your answers with
information from our class discussion.

 Completed worksheets must be handed in to your seminar teacher at the end of class, on
the day of the class discussion.

Chapter 1: Space: The Diversity of English

A. Vocabulary.

Look up the following words. Write the definition (of their meaning in the context of
the chapter) in English and the best translation in Spanish or Catalan.

1. to overlook (p. 2)

2. to loan (p. 3)

3. loanword (p. 3)

4. to borrow (p. 3)

5. foreignism (p. 4)

6. to spread (p. 7)

7. a bundle of (p. 7)

8. features (p. 7)

9. to mingle (p. 7)

10. boundary (p. 9)

11. core (p. 9)

12. to underlie (p. 12)

13. blurriness (p. 15)

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English 1-2 Reading Worksheet

Name(s):

B. Write short answers for each of the following questions and come prepared to
discuss your thoughts with the class.

1. Penhallurick (2010) says that “English was a diverse language from its very
beginning” (p. 11). In your own words, explain why English was so diverse

2. According to the author, what are the differences between the concepts “dialect”
and “variety”?

3. What is a “supraregional” language?

4. What does the term “mutual intelligibility” refer to?

5. What modern-day language is genetically closest to English? Is there mutual

intelligibility?

6. What non-linguistic factors contribute to the distinction between a language and a

dialect?

7. Define the terms “pidgin” and “creole” and describe the main differences between
them.

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English 1-2 Reading Worksheet

Name(s):

C. Class discussion: Your ideas and impressions.

1. Write two or three questions to ask your classmates based on the reading. Think
about the issues and phenomena presented in this chapter and any questions you had
while reading.

2. Write down the idea, explanation or concept that you found more interesting in the
chapter.