My School

For questions 1–12, read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning(0).

Example: 0. A on the way; B. under way; C. in the way; D. by the.

It’s the end of the school year and the exam period is (0) on the way__. Undoubtedly, exams (1) __________ pressure on both students and parents alike.

Most parents would like to see their children (2) ____________ academically, as they believe a good education gives them an added advantage in life. They want to see their children settled in a rewarding job and be (3)

___________ well off. But is that what their children have planned for themselves? Apparently not. Most students either can’t think that far ahead or have no (4) ____________ of doing so. They would rather aim low so as not to be disappointed if they get low marks.

However, child psychologists, who have been (5)___________ on the matter, stress that students should aim high, but at the same time have a(n)

(6) ___________ of other options. As a result, students will not have to worry about grades and in the long (7) _________ will have better chances of succeeding.

On the whole, there are many practical things that parents can do and which may prove invaluable to their children. (8)___________ being people their children can (9)_____________ to, parents can plan a reasonable schedule that both they and their children can (10) ____________ on. According to psychologists’ (11) ______________, this schedule should include no more than eight hours of study, three proper meals a day and some exercise. Finally, prior to each exam, parents need to (12) __________ their children that everything will be fine whatever the result.

Key: 1. c, 2. b, 3. c, 4. a, 5. a, 6. c, 7. b, 8. b, 9. a, 10. c, 11. b, 12. d.

Literature: E.Moutson, T.A. Kusnetsova, Grammar and Vocabulary for the Russian State Exam

Compiled by Svetlana Myakisheva,

School № 1862, Moscow

Five-Minute Tests

1I

Match the idioms with their meaning.

1.“A” for effort

2.copycat

3.cover a lot of ground

4.crack a book

5.cut class

6.draw a blank

7.eager beaver

8.goof off

9.put one’s thinking cap on

10.teacher’s pet

A.someone who copies the work of another

B.to open a book to study (usually used in the negative)

C.to get no response from someone when you ask him or her a question

D.to waste time

E.to start thinking in a serious manner

F.the recognition that someone has tried hard to do something even though he or she may not be successful

G.the teacher’s favourite student

H.to deliberately not go to class

I.someone who works very hard and is very enthusiastic

J.to complete a lot of material in a class or course

Key. 1. F; 2. A; 3. J; 4. B; 5. H; 6. C; 7. I; 8. D; 9. E; 10. G.

2I

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in italics.

1.I received recognition for my effort in my attempt to write a short story.

(a)an A for effort

(b)a show of hands

(c)a cap and gown

(d)an eager beaver

2.The children called the girl someone who copies the work of another when they saw her copying the test of another student.

(a)a bookworm

(b)an eager beaver

(c)a copycat

(d)a teacher’s pet ª

Read the text.

EDUCATION CHIEF

ATTACKS TEST REGIME

The head of education in one of the UK’s biggest cities has condemned the way the national curriculum test system labels so many children as failures from an early age. Tim Brighouse, highly-regarded director of education in Birmingham, and a government adviser, denounced the national curriculum as “Stalinist”. Prof. Brighouse said the focus on literacy, numeracy, computers and science in primary schools was right. But he said schools needed to rethink their use of time “so that children whose different talents are developing at different speeds have experiences which will boost their confidence and give them a taste of success – rather than seeing themselves labeled as comparative failures in the “three Rs”.” Otherwise children could be “switched off” education before they even reached secondary school.

Source: BBC

1. Match words from the text with their equivalents.

2. Which of the following reasons is not supported by the article?

Tim Brighouse has condemned the national curriculum test system because

A.it labels so many children as failures from an early age

B.it doesn’t give time and experiences to children to develop their different talents

C.its focus on literacy, numeracy, computers and science in primary schools is wrong

D.it doesn’t revise its use of time

Key: 1. 1. c; 2. b; 3. a; 4. f; 5. d; 6. e; 2. C

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY

1. Complete the text. Use the words from the box.

focuses; lessons; running; feelings; conflicts; respect; government; across

PUPILS TO GET LESSONS

IN RESPECT

Schools in England are to get 13.7 m pounds more to teach pupils manners, (1)__________________ and good behaviour.

New Children’s Secretary Ed Balls wants pupils in all primary and secondary schools to have (2)_______________

in social and emotional skills by 2011. A programme already (3)_________________ in 60% of primary schools, which helps children deal with anger, anxiety and (4)____________________, is being rolled out

(5)_________________ the nation. It has had a major impact on behaviour and attainment, the (6)______________

says.

The programme (7)_______________ on encouraging pupils to understand themselves, manage their

(8)______________ and promote social skills and the understanding of others.

Key: 1. respect; 2. lessons; 3. running; 4. conflicts; 5. across; 6. government; 7. focuses; 8. feelings.

2. Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.

Public schools (1)______ located in all states. All children

– even children who are (2)_______ American citizens – must

(3)_______ given a completely free education at these schools. Higher education at a college or university is not (4)______. Young people who qualify (because their family’s income is low) can get loan or grants through government programs. Loan must be repaid (5)______ the student begins working after graduation.

Key: 1. are; 2. not; 3. be; 4. free; 5. when.

3. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line.

Key: 1. logical; 2. easily; 3. personality; 4. punishment; 5. government.

By Youdif Boyarskaya,

School No. 814, Moscow