Post-reading Activities

1. Decide whether the following statements about the usa education are true or false.

1. The USA like many other countries has a national system of education.

2. More American children study in private schools than in public schools.

3. American children must attend school until a certain age.

4. It would be difficult to describe a ‘typical’ American school because there are many differences from place to place.

5. All US schools teach the same subjects and use only the materials approved by the state board of education.

6. All American universities are very expensive.

7. College students with poor grades have to repeat the course.

8. Sports and extra-curricular activities are important school subjects as they develop ‘social skills’.

9. Many US students enjoy sports activities free of charge.

2. Read the dialogue. Complete it asking the questions about the education systems in Great Britain and the usa.

A: Is the education system in Britain the same as in the United States, Alex?

B: Well, Bill, it’s fairly similar, but in most of the country we don’t have what you call junior and senior high schools. We just have secondary schools.

A: ……………………………………………………………………………..

B: Yes? They do.

A: ……………………………………………………………………………..

B: Well, most of them start when they’re eleven. Then all students continue until they’re sixteen and many continue till they’re eighteen.

A: ……………………………………………………………………………..

B: It is a school where some or all of the pupils live as well as study during the term.

Here are some phrases to help you:

– Do public schools differ in Britain and the USA?

– What is a boarding school?

– And how old are children when they enter secondary school?

3. Test yourself:

1. Music, English and Mathematics are different sorts of ______ .

a) terms b) curricula c) qualifications d) subjects

2. The ______ are the teachers working in a school.

a) pupils b) staff c) persons d) helpers

3. The person in charge of a school is called the ______ or the ______ .

a) headmaster/headmistress b) deputy head c) staff d) teacher

4. A school where the pupils are made up of both boys and girls is called a ______ school.

a) single b) co-educational c) preparatory d) public

5. In England and Wales, the school year is divided into three ______ .

a) terms b) times c) years d) months

6. The ______ is everything that is taught in a school.

a) material b) subject c) curriculum d) term

7. Education in Great Britain from 5 to 16 is divided into two levels – ______ and _______ .

a) primary / secondary b) public / primary c) infant / junior d) elementary / infant

8. If you want to know what day or time you have a particular lesson, you can always look at the _____ .

a) subject b) term c) time-table d) curriculum

9. A ______ school is one where pupils live all the time and only go home to their families in the holidays.

a) junior b) primary c) public d) boarding

10. Most children in Great Britain go to ______ schools.

a) state b) boarding c) public d) single-sex