Unit 5. Academic Assessment and Degrees at uk Universities
Task 1. Decipher the following acronyms from the text.
BA; BSc; BEd; BEng; LLB; MB; MEng; MA; MSc; MBA; LLM; MPhil; MEd; BPhil; BLitt; BSc; PhD; DPhil; DLitt; DSc.
Task 2. You will hear two educationalists talking about exams. For questions 1‑6, decide whether the opinions are expressed by only one of the speakers, or whether the speakers agree. Write P for Peter, J for Jane, or B for Both, where they agree.
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Exams are not the best means to assess learning.
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Education should be an ongoing process.
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Exams are not limited to our school years.
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Cramming is not recommended as an effective study method.
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Exams are an integral part of the education system.
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The education system can help those students who have problems sitting exams.
Task 3. a. The following things can be essential in motivating students to excel in education. Listen to the recording “How I Got My First-Class Degree” to find which of the enumerated factors are mentioned by the speaker.
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Task 3.b. Now listen again. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer (A-D).
1 The PhD student who spoke to the speaker
A exaggerated the need to work hard.
B thought the writer would get a First.
C succeeded in scaring the writer.
D was uncertain how to help the writer.
2 According to the speaker, an important factor in success at university is
A the ability to understand the market.
B acquaintance with lecturers and markers.
C clever use of other people's ideas.
D an understanding of what was required.
3 In the third paragraph, the speaker warns against
A trying to second-guess lecturers.
B expecting to be rewarded.
C plagiarism in essays and exams.
D offering money to academic staff.
4 In his relationship with his lecturers, the speaker tried to
A show them that he would make a good salesman.
B do his work in a style which matched their expectations.
C always have some new ideas to impress them with.
D never upset them by submitting ground-breaking work.
5 How did the speaker cope with long lists of required reading?
A He ignored them.
B He wrote his own.
C He was selective.
D He summarised them.
6 Why did the speaker not practise writing exam questions?
A He was advised not to.
B He thought the practice was rather boring
C He wanted to answer exam questions critically
D He thought it might prejudice staff against him.
7 The speaker concludes by advising students to
A follow his recipe for success
B make the most of being a student.
C concentrate on passing exams.
D aim for a First at all costs.
Task 4. Match the pairs of adjectives to the nouns to form collocations. Use one word from each set to complete the sentences below.
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first class/Master's |
learning |
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higher/first-rate |
degree |
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correspondence/refresher |
certificate |
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post graduate/2-year |
fees |
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long-distance/accelerated |
diploma |
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tuition/registration |
course |
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school-leaving/medical |
education |
1 __________________________ learning has proved highly popular in remote parts of Australia and Canada
2 Nowadays, a __________________________ certificate does not necessarily guarantee someone a place in the job market.
3 Please forward the £100__________________________ fee along with your completed application.
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Stella already has a Bachelor of Arts but she is now working towards attaining a __________________________ degree.
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My father opened a bank account for me on the day I was born to ensure that I would receive a __________________________ education.
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Now that I've got this job abroad, I think I had better take a __________________________ course in Spanish.
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It will take him at least a year to earn a __________________________ diploma in child psychology.
Task 5. You will hear two people, Martin and Wendy, talking about how useful a degree in Media Studies can be. Who expresses the following views? Write M (for Martin), W (for Wendy), or В (for both) where they agree.
1. Some media studies courses are not fulfilling their aims. ____
2. Media studies was not always considered a serious subject. ____
3. Media studies graduates have a wide range of skills. ____
4. Some media studies students have unrealistic expectations. ____
5. A media studies course is only the first step to finding a job. ____
6. Unsuitable students are sometimes accepted on media studies courses. ____