Read the Following Essay

question 1

Multiple Choice

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the correct answer.
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
What is the thesis statement of this essay?

• A) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow.
• B) Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English.
• C) Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.

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Definitions:

English Colonization

The process of English settlement and establishment of control over regions in North America, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world from the late 16th to the early 18th centuries.

Richard Hakluyt

An English writer and geographer known for promoting the exploration and settlement of North America by the British in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Fifteenth-Century African Society

Refers to the diverse cultures, kingdoms, and social structures that existed on the African continent during the 1400s, marked by a flourishing of trade, arts, and scholarly work, especially in West Africa.

Gender

A social construct that involves the roles, behaviors, activities, expectations, and societal norms associated with being male, female, or other gender identities.