2. Reading Comprehension

A. Understanding the reading. ***

1. What are the four conditions which every applicant must know to enter a

college of higher education?

2. When does a graduate receive the BA or BS?

3. Why do most students study at public institutions of higher education?

4. How can a student receive financial aid from a college?

5. What is the difference between ‘majors’ and ‘electives’?

6. Does a student have to earn a certain number of ‘credits’ to receive a degree

at the end of four years of college?

7. On what scale are college grades in the USA?

B. Complete the sentence with the best answer (A, B or C) according to the information in the text.

1. Out of more than three million students who graduate from high school each year

A. most of them continue their studies and receive higher education.

B. about one million go on for higher education.

C. about one half join the workforce.

2. The technical training institution is intended for high school graduates

A. to learn different technical skills and trades necessary for industry.

B. to develop their knowledge of foreign languages.

C. to receive the degrees of bachelor of arts, or of science.

3. Of the four-year institutions 28 percent are public and 72 percent are private, but

A. most of the students study at public institutions.

B. most of the students study at private institutions.

C. the tuition fee is the same for both types of higher school.

4. During one term or semester a student will study

A. four or five different subjects.

B. both majors and electives.

C. many subjects that he will need in future life.

5. Though much is spent by the state for education

A. American universities complain that these funds are becoming smaller with every new year.

B. American universities receive much support from rich people.

C. much money is received by the universities from their research

programmes.

C. Find out whether the statement is true (T) or false (F) according to the information in the text.

1. The SAT is a test on the English language and literature which can be taken

only once. ( )

2. Tuition fees are high in community colleges. ( )

3. The aid to a student may be given in the form of a grant, or stipend which

the student must pay back after college. ( )

4. Those who study at a university or four-year college are known as

undergraduates, and those who have received a degree after four years of

studies are known as graduates. ( )

5. A first-year student is called a sophomore, and a second-year student – a

freshman. ( )

6. During one term or semester a student will study six or seven different

subjects. ( )

3. Vocabulary Focus

A. Fill in the blank with the correct word. ***

1. It is not easy to enter a college or a university in the United States, because they may accept only one out of every ten who ____________ .

2. Applicants are usually chosen on the basis of their high school ____________.

3. Among the four types of higher education institutions there is the two-year, or ____________ ____________, which is financed by the local authorities and which is intended for local needs.

4. After four years of studies at a four-year college the graduates receive the degree of ____________ ____________ ____________, or ____________ ____________ ____________.

5. More students study at public institutions of higher education because ____________ fees here are much lower.

6. When a student applies for aid, an analysis is made of the parents' ____________ .

7. Many universities in the USA do not have the money ____________ new equipment which is necessary for research.

B. Find words in the text that mean the same or are similar to the following:

1. ____________ to place, fix (an apparatus) in position for use

2. _____________ money received during a given period

3. _____________ teaching

4. _____________ a payment for teaching

5. _____________ a man or woman who has taken the first university degree in arts or science

6. _____________ the holder of the second university degree in arts or science

7. _____________ a person who has received the highest university degree

8. _____________ the people living in one place, district or country; a community college

9. _____________ a test which discovers the knowledge and skills of the student

10. _____________ a person who applies for a position