Australian English and Immigration History

Australia was initially colonized by the British as a penal colony, with Aboriginal people already inhabiting the land. The gold rush and other events led to waves of immigration from Europe and Asia, increasing the population. English became the official language, influenced by American English, while minority languages like Mandarin and Italian are also spoken. Efforts are underway to revive indigenous languages. The language tree shows English's roots in the Indo-European family, with Australian English having its own distinct dialect influenced by British English.

What was the primary reason for the English to colonize Australia?

• To spread Christianity

• To explore new lands

• To use it as a penal colony

• To establish a trade route

Which group of people originally inhabited Australia before English colonization?

• Aboriginal people

• Zulu

• Inuit

• Maori

What event led to several waves of immigration to Australia?

• The French Revolution

• The American Civil War

• The Industrial Revolution

• The Gold Rush

By 1900, how many inhabitants did Australia have from the British Isles?

• Two million

• Four million

• Six million

• Eight million

What is the official language of Australia?

• Mandarin

• Spanish

• French

• English

Which of the following is NOT a minority language spoken in Australia?

• Russian

• Arabic

• Italian

• Mandarin

What efforts are being made regarding indigenous languages in Australia?

• They are being replaced by French

• They are being ignored

• They are being revived

• They are being banned

Which language family does Australian English belong to?

• Indo-European

• Afro-Asiatic

• Uralic

• Sino-Tibetan

How is the Australian English accent described in relation to British English?

• Identical

• Non-existent

• Similar but distinct

• Completely different

Why is Australian English connected to British English?

• Because of geographical proximity

• Due to trade relations

• Because of shared cultural festivals

• As a result of convict transportation