2. Study the table.

Academic calendar
fall (autumn), spring term / semester	семестр
school / academic year	учебный год
exam period / days	экзаменационная сессия
reading days / period	дни для подготовки перед экзаменами
break / recess (fall term break, winter recess or winter holidays, summer vacation)	каникулы
deadline	последний день сдачи задолженностей
Academic programmes (programs)
course	курс (предмета)
to take a course	проходить курс
to give a lecture	читать лекции
pass-fail course	курс, по окончании которого сдается зачет
a major (what’s your major?)	предмет по специализации
discussion session	дискуссии
seminars	семинары
a more academic class	занятия с аспирантами
Tests
to take / to give an exam	сдавать/принимать экзамен
to retake an exam (a retake)	пересдавать экзамен
to flunk / fail a course	провалить предмет
to flunk smb / to drop out / to withdraw	исключать кого-то
a pass-fail test/quiz	зачет
essay test	письменный экзамен

3. Read the text and write down the features at the academic student life in American universities. Text 2 Academic Student Life in the us

Academic year is usually nine month duration, or two semesters of 4 and a half months each. Classes usually begin in September and end in July. There are summer classes for those who want to improve the grades or take up additional courses.

During one term or semester, a student will study, simultaneously (одновременно), four or five different subjects. At the undergraduate level, there may be some courses that every student has to take (for example, classes in world history, math, writing or research). But students select their major plus a number of electives (факультативные курсы) (courses they do not have to take, but may choose). The students` progress is often assessed through quizzes (short oral or written tests), term papers and a final examination in each course. Typically, an undergraduate student has to earn a number of credits (about 120) in order to receive degree at the end of four years of college. Credits are earned by attending lectures (or lab classes) and by successfully completing assignments and examinations. One credit usually equals one hour of class per week in a single course. A three-credit course in biology could involve two hours of lectures plus one hour in a science lab every week. The course way may last 10 to 16 weeks – the length of a semester. Any student may audit a course, that is to take up an extra course for personal interest without earning credits, it must be paid for on an hourly basis.

Each part of a student’s work in a course is given a mark which helps to determine his final grade. A student record consist of his grade in each course. College grades, determined by each instructor on the basis of class work and examinations, are usually on a five-point scale, with letters to indicate the levels of achievement. A – is the highest mark, indicating superior accomplishment (достижение), and the letters go through B,C,D to E or F which denotes failure. Many schools assign points for each grade (A=5, B=4, etc…) so that grade point average (3,5) is required to continue in school and to graduate.