1.9. Decide which of the words from the list can be a suitable for it in the sentence:

It begins in two days.

the chess game the quarrel

the winter the exams

the barbecue the driving test

the summer holidays the English lesson

Note:

1. The General Certificate of Education (GCE) is an academic qualification that examination boards in the United Kingdom and a few of the former British colonies or Commonwealth countries confer to students. The GCE traditionally comprised two levels: the Ordinary Level (O Level) and the Advanced Level (A Level). More recently examination boards also offer an intermediate third GCE level, the Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level) replacing the earlier Advanced Supplementary level.

2. In the Scottish secondary education system, the Higher is one of the national school-leaving certificate exams and university entrance qualifications of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC) offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

3. The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

II. Reading

«Higher Education» in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which currently consists of some 96 universities and about 70 Colleges of Higher Education, means the stage of education which follows after one obtains qualifications equivalent to the Advanced Level of the General Certificate of Education.

In Scotland the qualifying examinations are called «Highers», and some students take a Certificate of Sixth Year Studies, which is similar to A-levels. The concept of universal education was accepted in Scotland as early as the sixteenth century, long before such views prevailed elsewhere in Britain. St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities were established in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Universities in Britain are divided into three types:

1. The old established universities, such as Oxford (founded 1249), Cambridge and Edinburgh. Oxford and Cambridge together are often called Oxbridge.

2. The 19th century universities such as London and Manchester.

3. The new universities established after World War II, such as Essex, Lancaster, the New University of Ulster.

The higher education system consists of Universities, Colleges of Higher Education and a number of small specialized colleges in areas of study such as Fine Art, Music and Agriculture.

Students or undergraduates can complete their first (Bachelor’s) Degree in a minimum of three years. Law degrees and some others require four years of study, while, medicine takes longer. Students awarded their Bachelor’s Degree are called graduates.

Universities, and to a limited extent Colleges of Higher Education, offer a wide range of one-year, or sometimes two-year, taught graduate courses leading to a Master’s Degree.

Universities also offer research degrees (Doctor’s Degrees), which have a very limited taught element, and are an opportunity to undertake research over a period of, generally, at least three years. The period for the award of a research degree is not laid out: it depends on the progress made. Students working for their Master’s and Doctor’s Degrees are called postgraduates.

Most UK universities are keen to increase their numbers of postgraduate students. Many of the leading UK universities are looking forward to the development of Graduate Schools, Major research-based universities, such as Birmingham, Durham, Manchester, Sheffield and Warwick, have taken the initiative in setting up Graduate Schools, reflecting the very high level accorded to postgraduate activities in these institutions.

UK universities offer full time programs and also part-time and distance learning programs. An academic year is divided into three terms of about 10 weeks each.

In 1971 the Open University was established, where the formal qualifications GCSE (The General Certification of Secondary Education) are not necessary. Nearly a quarter of all adult part-time students participate in its degree courses on radio and television.