[解析]
(1)D.细节理解题。根据第三段While it is a difficult language to master,the high school junior,who plans to study computer engineering,thinks it will be important for his career.(尽管这门语言很难掌握,但打算学习计算机工程的高三学生认为,这对他的职业至关重要)可知,Thomas Cheatham决定学习普通话而不是拉丁语,因为他认为普通话在未来的职业生涯中会有更多优势,故选D.
(2)B.词义猜测题。根据第四段Many experts agree that proficiency(熟练) in a language spoken by a billion people worldwide will give American students an edge in the global economy.(许多专家都认为,熟练掌握全球十亿人所使用的语言将使美国学生在全球经济中占据优势)可知,划线单词意为:"微弱的优势",A.the outside limit外部限制;B.a slight advantage微弱优势;C.a sharp tone of voice尖锐的语调;D.an exciting quality 令人兴奋的品质,故选B.
(3)C.推理判断题。根据第六段She said the US government has designated(指定) Mandarin as an "important needs" language and provides professional development programs for teachers.(她说,美国政府已将普通话定为"重要需求"语言,并为教师提供专业发展计划)可知,美国政府的政策有助于普通话在美国的普及,故选C.
(4)A.主旨大意题。根据最后一段At the same time,the Chinese government is spreading knowledge of the Chinese language and culture through Confucius Institutes set up in many US states. (与此同时,中国政府正在通过在美国许多州设立的孔子学院传播中国语言和文化知识)可知,本文主要在讲述随着中国经济的发展,越来越多的美国人开始学习普通话,许多美国人意识到普通的重要性,随着孔子学院的开办很多美国学生学习汉语。可知,在文中主要讨论的是普通话在美国学生中日益流行,故选A.