II. Reading and Comprehension

Read the text without a dictionary (time limit is 10 minutes). Do the test.

School and College life in Great Britain

Over 90 per cent of British children attend state-supported schools between the age of 5 and 16, when education is compulsory. There is a number of different types of state schools, including those totally owned and run by local education authorities; those whose premises are owned by voluntary bodies, mainly by the church; and those that are funded by central government and who employ their own staff and own their premises. There are also specialists schools, for example those that emphasize technology, or languages, or the arts, as well as schools dedicated to teaching children with special educational needs.

About 7 per cent of school-age children attends fee-paying independent or private schools (the larger of which are also rather known as “public” schools).

Increasing number of young people stay on for further education, between the age of 16 and 18.

There are three school terms in the educational year, which starts in September and ends in July. Holidays are normally three weeks over Christmas and Easter and six week during the summer. Young people in state schools also enjoy all of half-term holiday in each of the Christmas, Easter and Summer terms. Independent schools have their own rules but tend to have longer holidays and shorter half-term breaks.

Those not staying at school or going on to college are legally allowed to leave at 16, when they have completed their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations.

The education service is administered separately in England and Wales, in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland.

In England and Wales, the National Curriculum for all pupils from the age of 5 to 16 has the subjects to develop academic and practical abilities.

From an early age, children learn English, mathematics, science, history, geography, art, music and physical education. Later, at least one modern language is added. By the age of 14 the obligatory subjects include English, mathematics, science, technology, physical education, and modern language.

In Scotland, pupils aged 5 to 14 follow a common, broad-based curriculum consisting of mathematics, the English language, environmental studies, expressive arts, religious and modern education, personal and social development. Courses after the age of 14 are characterized by national certification.

The system in Northern Ireland is similar to England and Wales. The curriculum includes six educational themes: education reform, mutual understanding, culture heritage, information and communication technology, careers’ education, and economic awareness. The Government has provided substantial grants for schools that integrate Catholic and Protestant pupils.

Exercise 7. Find the right ending of the sentences.

1). Over 90 per cent of British children attend …

a). private schools between the age of 5 and 16.

b). state-supported schools between the age of 7 and 18.

c). state-supported schools between the age of 5 and 16.

2). Increasing number of young people between the age of 16 and 18…

a). stays on further education.

b). leaves schools.

c). enters universities.

3). Scottish curriculum includes …

a). information and communication technology.

b). environmental studies, expressive arts, religious education.

c). machine-building technology.

4). The system in Northern Ireland …

a). is similar to England and Wales and includes 6 educational themes.

b). is similar to Scotland.

c). is similar to Wales and includes 10 educational themes.

5). The Government in Northern Ireland has provided grants for …

a). schools that educate children with special needs.

b). schools that provide cultural programs.

c). schools that integrate Catholic and Protestant pupils.

Exercise 8. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1). Over 80 per cent of British children attend state-supported schools between the age of 5 and 16.

2). There are four school terms in the educational year.

3). Independent schools have longer holidays and shorter half term breaks.

Exercise 9. Choose the correct answer to the following questions.