Reading comprehension: read the passage carefully and then answer the question that follows. To know language is to be able to speak it; even a child who does not yet attend school can speak his or her language. In order to speak a language it is important to listen to it and to read a few pages in it every day. A child picks up language and learns to talk just as (s)he learns to walk. Walking and talking come naturally to a child as it grows. In our country, a child may grow up speaking more than one language, if these languages are spoken in the home and in the neighbourhood. We call this multilingualism. A child speaks a language or languages much before (s)he starts going to school. To know a language then is first of all to be able to speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child does. Later on the child will learn to read and write in that language. In order to read and write in a language, one has to speak it. But it is possible to speak a language but not be able to read or write in it. A baby does not speak until it is nine months old but it understands a few words at six months of age. It has been listening ever since it was born, and even a little before that. So the first strategy in speaking a language is to listen. Question: Multi-lingualism means

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of a key term used in the passage, namely multilingualism. Such questions check whether you can pick up definitions that are either directly stated or clearly explained within the text.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage discusses children who may grow up using more than one language at home and in the neighbourhood.
• It states that this situation is called multilingualism.
• The question asks for the meaning of multilingualism.
• Options describe different ideas about language use: speaking more than one language, speaking only one language, speaking any language, and speech.

Concept / Approach:
The term multilingualism is formed from multi and lingual. Multi means many, and lingual relates to language. The passage itself gives a simple explanation: a child may grow up speaking more than one language, if these languages are spoken in the home and in the neighbourhood. We call this multilingualism. Therefore the meaning is clearly speaking more than one language.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Find the sentence in the passage that uses the word multilingualism. Step 2: Read the full sentence: a child may grow up speaking more than one language, if these languages are spoken in the home and in the neighbourhood. We call this multilingualism. Step 3: Connect the description speaking more than one language with the term multilingualism. Step 4: Choose the option that uses the same idea, which is speaking more than one language.

Verification / Alternative check:
Even without the passage, you can interpret multilingual: one language is monolingual, two languages are bilingual, and more than two languages are typically grouped under multilingual. The passage supports this understanding exactly, so the chosen answer is fully confirmed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• speaking only one language: This would be monolingual, not multilingual.
• speaking any language: Too vague and does not reflect the idea of more than one language.
• speech: Refers to speaking in general, not specifically using multiple languages.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes ignore the explanation given right in the passage and rely only on partial word recognition. They may confuse multilingual with words like linguistic or eloquent. Always combine word structure with the context line that the author provides when the term is introduced.

Final Answer:
Correct option: speaking more than one language.