run at colleges of further education.

School-leavers with jobs sometimes take part-time vocational courses, on day-release from work. School-leavers without jobs get

no money from the government unless they join a youth training scheme, which provides a living allowance during two years of work

experience.

2. Study the text of Ex. 1 and the School System Scheme (p. 93) and get ready to answer these questions:

1. What stages of education are there in England and Wales? Which of them are compulsory? 2. In what institutions can chil dren

get pre-school education? 3. Do all primary and secondary schools in England and Wales belong to the state system? Don't you think

that independent schools sustain inequality in the field of education? 4. In what schools within the maintained system can children get

primary education? 5. At what age arfe pupils usually transferred to secondary schools? How is it done in Russia? 6. What secondary

schools maintained by the state do you know? Are all of them mixed? 7. What kind of education do grammar schools offer? 8. What

does the term "comprehensive" imply? When did comprehensive education become a national policy? What are the proclaimed

advantages of comprehensive schools? 9. What does the term "independent school" imply? What types of independent schools do you

know? Which are the most notable public schools? What do they train their pupils for? 10. What are the principal examinations taken

by secondary school pupils in England? What exams are taken at the age of 18?

3. Find in the text of Ex. 1 arguments to illustrate the following:

1. The system of education in England and Wales is complex and bewildering. 2. Administration of publicly provided schools is

rather decentralized. 3. Comprehensive schools are the most progressive secondary schools in England. 4. Sixth-form pupils get

rather narrow specialist education.

4. Summarize the text of Ex. 1 specifying the following items:

1. The system of education in England and Wales. General principles.

2. Pre-school education. Primary education.

3. Comprehensive system of secondary education vs selective system.

4. The sixth-form curricullum. Specialist study aimed at university entrance.

5. Use the Topical Vocabulary in answering the following questions:

1. Do many children in England and Wales attend pre-school institutions? Why? 2. Have all maintained schools equal opportu-

nities to provide the same level of education? Prove your point of view. 3. How can you prove that in spite of all changes and alter-

ations made during the recent years the system of education in England and Wales is still class-divided and selective? 4. What are the

British government's education policies? What do you think of the main aim of the publicly maintained system of education which is

4 The most notable public schools are Eton |'i:tn], Harrow ['haenu], Winchester ['wintjists], Rugby ['rAgbi], Oundle ['aundl], Uppingham ['Apioam],

Charterhouse ['tjaitshaus], These schools are exclusive boarding schools, which train their pupils for leading positions in society.