| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| distribution | the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning | English is far more worldwide in its distribution than all other spoken languages. |
| territory | a region marked off for administrative or other purposes | It is an official language in 52 countries as well as many small colonies and territories. |
| de facto | existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not | It has become the most useful language to learn for international travel and is now the de facto language of diplomacy. |
| select | pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives | More than 120 chose English, 40 selected French, and 20 wanted to use Spanish. |
| particularly | to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common | English is also the dominant language in electronic communication, particularly on the Internet. |
| percentage | a proportion in relation to a whole (which is usually the amount per hundred) | However, the percentage of Internet users who are not native English speakers is increasing rapidly, especially in Asia. |
| estimate | judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time) | In fact, China estimated in 2008 that there are now more people who have online access in their country than in the U.S., which had been the global leader in Internet access. |
| access | the right to enter | He phoned the company after he wasn't able to access their website on the Internet. |
| reality | the state of being actual or real | In reality, the distribution of languages globally is very complex and difficult to easily describe. |
| numerous | amounting to a large indefinite number | Numerous migrations of people over the last several centuries have resulted in most large nations now having many different languages. |
| migration | the movement of persons from one country or locality to another | Human migration over long distances is as old as mankind. |
| mislead | lead someone in the wrong direction or give someone wrong directions | Consequently, it is somewhat misleading to describe the U.S. as being an English speaking country. |
| apply | put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose | The same caution applies to other multicultural nations as well. |
| average | an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual | The average American family has three televisions. |
| income | the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time | Average household income in the US is over $50,000. |
| independent | free from external control and constraint | It is not considered a separate nation, but it is an independent country within the UK. |
| border | the boundary of a surface | It is bordered by Scotland to the north and Wales to the west - both of which are also regions within the UK. |
| federal | characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities | The federal government is the national government of a country. |
| continent | one of the large landmasses of the earth | It is, of course, Australia, the world's smallest continent with an area of less than 7.7 million square kilometres. |
| location | the act of putting something in a certain place | Because of its geographical location on the globe, it is commonly referred to as the land Down Under. |
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.