Education in the USA
The American system of school education differs from the systems in other countries.
There are state public schools, private elementary schools and private secondary
schools. Public schools are free and private schools are fee-paying. Each state has its
own system of public schools.
Elementary education begins at the age of six or seven, when a child goes to the first
grade (form). At the age of sixteen schoolchildren leave the elementary school and may
continue their education at one of the secondary schools or high schools, as they call
them.
The program of studies in the school includes English, Arithmetic, Geography, History of
the USA, Natural Sciences and, besides, Physical Training, Singing, Drawing, Wood or
Metal Work, etc. Sometimes they learn a foreign language and general history. Beside
giving general education some high schools teach subjects useful to those who hope to
find jobs in industry and agriculture or who want to enter colleges or universities.
After graduating from secondary schools a growing number of Americans go on to
higher education. The students do not take the same courses. During the first two
years they follow a basic program. It means that every student must select at least one
course from each of the basic fields of study: English, Natural Sciences, Modern
Languages, History or Physical Training. After the first two years every student can
select subjects according to his professional interest.
The National Government gives no direct financial aid to the institutions of higher
education. Students must pay a tuition fee. This creates a financial hardship for some
people. Many students have to work to pay their expenses. The Americans place a high
value on education. That’s why Kennedy said, “Our progress as a nation can be no
swifter than our progress in education”.
Fill in : intelligence, false, shrink, connect, plugged in, bestowed, generosity, selfishness, virtually, determination, crashed, impact, artificial, inherited, outlook.
1.You can connect to the Internet simply by clicking here.
2.I lost a day’s worth of work when the system crashed.
3.The music started as soon as he plugged in his CD player.
4.A person’s language skills is often an indicator of the intelligence.
5.If you have drive and determination you can achieve anything.
6.Thanks to my parents’ generosity I was able to buy a car.
7.The brave soldier was bestowed the George Cross.
8.Harry inherited his father’s firm when he finished university.
9.The earthquake had a huge impact on the local economy.
10.They are sisters, not twins but they are virtually identical.
11.The outlook from the top of the mountain was amazing.
12.Ann always thinks of others before herself selfishness is not in her nature.
13.Some clothes will shrink if you wash them in very hot water.
14.There have been many advances in artificial intelligence over the years.
15.He also had "several front teeth missing in the upper jaw", but sometimes wore false teeth.
1. America B) was discovered several centuries ago.
A) Has been discovered B) was discovered C) will be discovered
2. All the business letters C) were answered yesterday.
A) were been answered B) are answered C) were answered
3. The floors in the office A) are swept every day.
A) are swept B) have been swept C) Is swept
4. The Earth's surface A) is covered mostly with water.
A) is covered B) was covered C) has been covered
5. The thief B) was arrested late last night.
A) has been arrested B) was arrested C) had been arrested
6. The cake smells so nice. It B) has just been baked.
A) will just be baked B) has just been baked C) is just baked
7. Emergency teams C) have already been set up all over the city.
A) already has set up B) already have been set up C) have already been set up
8. All the banks A ) are closed on Sundays.
A ) are closed B) have been closed C) are been closed
9. This house B) was built in 1930.
A) is built B) was built C) has been built
10. Alpha Romeo cars C) are made in Italy.
A) made B) make C) are made
11. What’s the matter? My car B) has just been stolen.
А)was just stolen B) Has just been stolen C) is just stolen
II. Заполните пропуски сначала формой активного залога нужного времени, затем трансформируйте это предложение в пассивный залог.
1. I…….. (clean) my room every Sunday. (active)
My room is cleaned every Sunday. (passive)
2. We ….(decorated) the New Year tree last night. (active)
The New Year tree was decorated last night. (passive)
3. I have just……..(read) the book. (active)
The book has just been (read). (passive)
III. Раскройте скобки, употребив глагол в нужном времени страдательного залога.
1. The concert hall ... (is located) in the city centre.
2. The company ... (was founded) in 1962.
3. Some new magazines have just… (been brought).
4. The Crown Jewels ... (are housed) in the Tower of London.
5. These coins…(were used) by ancient Greeks.
6. The documents… (have not been signed) by the manager yet.
7. Tennis … (has been played) for a thousand of years.