People often ask which is the most difficult language to learn， and it is not easy to answer because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly， in a first language the differences are (66) as people learn their mother tongue naturally， so the question of how hard a language is to learn is only (67 ) when learning a second language.

　　A native speaker of Spanish， (68) ， will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a native speaker of Chinese， because Portuguese is very similar to Spanish， (69) Chinese is very different. So first language can (70) learning a second language. The greater the differences between the second language and our first are， the (71) it will be for most people to learn. Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to learn， possibly (72) by the thought of learning the Chinese writing system， and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to be very difficult for many foreign learners. (73) ， for Japanese speakers， who already use Chinese characters in their own language， learning (74) will be less difficult than for speakers of languages using the Roman alphabet.

　　Some people seem to learn languages (75) ， while others find it very difficult. Teachers and the (76) in which the language is learned also play an important role， as well as each learner’s motivation for learning. If people learn a language because they need to use it (77) ， they often learn it faster than people studying a language that has no direct use in their day to day life.

　　(78) from different cultures will find different languages more difficult. No language is easy to learn well， (79) languages which are related to our first language are easier. Learning a completely different writing system is a huge (80) ， but that does not necessarily make a language more difficult than another.

　　66. A. apparent B. extensive C. decline D. unimportant

　　67. A. relevant B. permanent C. essential D. progressive

　　68. A. by contrast B. in addition C. for example D. after all

　　69. A. when B. while C. where D. whether

　　70. A. affect B. achieve C. attach D. assemble

　　71. A. easier B. harder C. faster D. slower

　　72. A. inherited B. overtaken C. influenced D. restricted

　　73. A. However B. Moreover C. Therefore D. Anyhow

　　74. A. speaking B. listening C. reading D. writing

　　75. A. gradually B. steadily C. readily D.subconsciously

　　76. A. learners B. materials C. tutors D.circumstances

　　77. A. occasionally B. professionally C. properly D. informally

　　78. A. societies B. characters C. individuals D. visitors

　　79. A. as B. though C. because D. since

　　80. A. success B. surprise C. opportunity D. challenge

　　66—70 DACBA 71—75 BCADC 76—80 DBCBD