Unit 3 Revise & Practise

1. Complete the following sentences with your own words. Use only present tenses.

a) One of my teachers …

b) A great number of first-year students …

c) A lot of news …

d) Each of the students …

e) The number of books on this subject …

f) The United Arabic Emirates …

g) Some of the information …

h) Mathematics …

2. Explain the similarity and difference between these pairs:

§ compulsory subject - optional subject

§ undergraduate - graduate

§ sciences - humanities

§ exams - finals

3. Write down a short vocabulary list (10 items) on the topic “Higher education”. With a partner compare your lists. Cross out the items you both have on your lists. Explain the meaning of the rest of the words and phrases.

4. Read the following sayings. Write a paragraph commenting on one of the sayings you like most.

Ø “Genius without education is like silver in the mine.” Benjamin Franklin

Ø “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Aristotle

Ø “Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that we have been taught.” George Savile, Marquis of Halifax

Ø “Education is a progressive discovery of our ignorance.” Will Durant, U.S. author and historian.

Ø “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.” Plato

5. Game “Why physics or math, etc.?”

Work in teams. Hold a competition. Brainstorm as many plus sides of your specialization as possible. Compare your results.

Check yourself

1. Complete the paragraph with the words from the box.

The American education system requires that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education before they attend university or college. …(1) may be accomplished either at public schools, or at private schools. …(2) are usually supported and financed by state and municipal governments, while …(3) are operated privately.

Numerous American colleges, schools and universities offer programs …(4) lead to a variety of degrees. …(5) include an associate degree …(6) is given upon completion of a 2-year programme and a bachelor’s degree …(7) normally requires at least four years of full-time college-level coursework. For those college graduates …(8) want to advance their careers higher education institutions offer advanced degrees …(9) a master’s degree or doctorate (also known as PhD) degree. The master’s degree typically requires two years of full-time graduate school coursework to complete. Unlike students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, students in a master’s degree program will complete courses … (10) are highly focused in their field of study (major) so the students must have already decided on the major before applying to a master’s degree program. The PhD degree is even more focused and specialized than the master’s degree. Some students will complete a master’s degree before applying to a doctorate degree program, but …(11) is not always necessary. Completion of a doctorate degree typically takes between three and six years but a student with a master’s degree may take less time to complete his PhD if …(12) is in the same field.

2. Find 15 words on the topic “Higher education”:

How many words have you found?

3. Write the degree titles from the box under the appropriate headings below:

4. Match the numbers on the left to the correct description on the right.

Self study

CHOOSING THE BEST EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY Congratulations! You are a winner in the All-Russia competition among undergraduate science students. Next year you will have an opportunity to take a one-year course in one of British or American universities. To make a successful choice of a university you need to do research on education opportunities in one of the countries. Take notes of the information you find. The following questions will help you to make your decision. Explain why you have chosen this particular university.   WEB SITES TO SEARCH: UK http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/home/index.cfm USA http://www.studyusa.com/?s=2&t=9   QEASTIONS TO GUIDE YOU: What types of courses do UK/US universities provide in your subject area? What degrees are awarded in the area of your study? What kind of academic activities are available at the university you have chosen? Find advice and guidance to international students that can help you when you arrive in the UK/the USA.   Summarize your findings in writing.