What is the main topic of the passage? 

Lastly, a person who knows English is respected by people. It is for all these (5) ____ that I want to learn English.

As English is used so much everywhere in the world, it has helped to make the countries in the world more (4) _____.  

English also helps us to learn all kinds of subjects. Hundreds of books are (3)___  in English every day in many countries to teach people many useful things.  

Indeed English is a very useful language. If we (2)____ English we can go to any place or country we like.  

English is the most important in the world today. A very large (1)____  of people understand and use English in many countries of the world.    

English is the most important in the world today. A very large (1)____  of people understand and use English in many countries of the world.    

The world “proliferated” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to which of the following?