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Reading 57
TASK 1
Read the text “Education: A Reflection of Society”. Then read the following
sentences and figure out the meanings of the underlined words from the
context and write their synonyms (at least ONE), or a short explanation. See
the example.
Mexico
B In Mexico, the educational system reflects some of the country's many contrasts. On the
one hand, it is believed that the nation can achieve equality of rights for everyone through
education. The basis of the Mexican educational system is the country's constitution,
which was written in 1917. It requires education to be free, compulsory, and universal. It
also states that education should support national unity and lead to social, economic, and
cultural improvement of the people. At lower levels, this means that there is emphasis
on the country's rich cultural history. Children write historical essays, participate in
activities for national holidays, and read about national heroes—especially native people
(Indians). However, it is often difficult to provide education in rural areas, where many of
the indigenous people live. People in these areas are poor and isolated geographically.
There aren't enough schools, and rural teachers must be able to teach all six grades of
primary school. Also, traditions among some indigenous people do not typically include
school attendance.
Japan
C The Japanese value education highly. One statistic reflects this: the Japanese place
such importance on education that 88 percent of all students complete not only primary
school but also high school. Public schools are all both free and egalitarian; all students
are considered equal and learn the same material.
For social reasons, it's important for a student to receive a university degree - and a
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degree from “the right university.” To reach this, students have to go through “examination
hell.” There are difficult exams for entrance to all universities, to many of the better primary
and secondary schools, and even to some kindergartens'! Japanese students need great
discipline; in order to make time for their studies, they need the self-control to give up
hobbies, sports, and social life. Results of these exams affect the entire family because
there is high status, or social position, for the whole family when the children have high
test scores.
Britain
D In the United Kingdom (Britain), the educational system reflects the class system. All
state schools—primary, secondary, and university - are free, and the first nine years are
egalitarian; all students learn the same material. At age eleven, students take an
important national exam. After this, they attend one of three possible secondary schools:
college preparatory, vocational (for job training), or comprehensive (with both groups of
students). However, 6 percent of British students attend expensive private schools. These
are students from upper-class families. Half of the students at Oxford and Cambridge
universities come from such expensive secondary schools. It might seem that anyone can
afford to go to a university because all universities are free, but only 1 percent of the lower
class goes to university. Because graduates from good universities get the best jobs, it is
clear that success is largely a result of one's social class.
Conclusion
F It is clear that each educational system is a reflection of the larger culture - both positive
and negative aspects of its economy, values, and social structure. Look at a country's
schools, and you will learn about the society in which they exist.
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Ex. 0...the Japanese place such importance on education that 88 percent of all
students complete not only primary school but also high school.
Primary (school)= elementary (school)
TASK 2
Read Paragraph A of the text “Education: A Reflection of Society”. Find the
sentence expressing the main idea in Paragraph A. Then find another sentence
in Paragraph F that seems to mean about the same. Write the main ideas from
A and F in your own words as far as possible in the Answer Form.
TASK 3
Look again at the text “Education: A Reflection of Society”. Answer the
following questions choosing ONE of the options (a, b, c or d).
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4. What does this mean in the sentence “To reach this, students have to go through
“examination hell”
from paragraph C?
a. university
b. exam
c. reason
d. degree
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Reading 57 — Keys
TASK 1
TASK 2
TASK 3
1 a; 2 d; 3 d; 4 d
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