Which of these words go in the text below?

1. (a) considers (b) consideration (c) considerate (d) considering   

2. (a) of (b) to (c) in (d) on   

3. (a) afters (b) follows (c) replaces (d) succeeds   

4. (a) because (b) owes (c) due (d) causes   

5. (a) prefer (b) rather (c)    instead (d) rely   

6. (a) periods (b) period (c) periodical (d) periodicals   

7. (a) knack (b) art (c) know-how (d) skillful   

8. (a) routinely (b) routines (c) routine (d) routes   

9. (a) reclining (b) declining (c) inclining (d) clinging   

10. (a) blend (b) bland (c) trend (d) gland   

11. (a) such   (b) then (c) so (d) though   

12. (a) as (b) to (c) up (d) out

The world-renowned Cambridge University is (1) ____ abolishing handwritten exams after 800 years. University officials may ask students to type their exam answers (2) ____ a computer rather than use a pen. The move (3) ____ complaints from examination markers who say they are finding test papers increasingly illegible (4) ____ to poor handwriting. Academics say today's students primarily use laptops in lectures and tutorials (5) ____ of pens. Students are losing the ability to write by hand. One academic said asking students to hand-write exams actually causes them physical difficulties. The muscles in their hand are not used to writing extensively for prolonged (6) ____ of two to three hours.

A Cambridge University lecturer, Dr Sarah Pearsall, told Britain's 'Daily Telegraph' newspaper that handwriting was becoming a "lost (7) ____". She said: "Twenty years ago, students (8) ____ [wrote] by hand several hours a day, but now they write virtually nothing by hand, except exams." She added: "We have been concerned for years about the (9) ____ handwriting problem. There has definitely been a downward (10) ____. It is difficult for both the students and the examiners as it is harder and harder to read these [exam] scripts." Dr Pearsall says some students' handwriting is (11) ____ illegible that they had to return to the university over the summer to read their answers (12) ____ loud to examiners who could not read their writing.

X. Spelling: Unjumble the words in bold

Paragraph 1

1) glaihoisnb handwritten exams

2) The move follows mntplsacoi from examination markers

3) finding test papers increasingly elgbillei

4) students iyrrlpiam use laptops

5) The ssecuml in their hand

6) for nloopegrd periods

Paragraph 2

1) students rueotniyl wrote by hand

2) they write uilayrlvt nothing by hand

3) the icnldgein handwriting problem

4) There has ytidefenil been a downward trend

5) read these exam ctrsisp

6) read their answers out loud to eeimxrsna

XI. Put the words in the right order to form sentences:

1) handwritten Abolishing years 800 after exams.

2) type may their ask exam students answers to Officials.

3) markers move complaints examination The follows from.

4) hand ability Students to are write losing by the.

5) The their not writing in are to muscles hand used.

6) "a said was lost handwriting art". A lecturer becoming.

7) routinely hours wrote a by day hand Students several.

8) the about years for Concerned problem handwriting declining.

9) lecturer is says too some illegible students' The handwriting.

10) answers to had their loud They read out examiners to.

 

 XII. Discussion - Cambridge University may end handwritten exams

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS

1. What did you think when you read the headline?

2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'exam'?

3. What do you think of Cambridge University?

4. Should all students use pens to write exams?

5. How important is good handwriting?

6. Do people need to write anymore?

7. Should students who can't write legibly get a zero?

8. How good is your handwriting?

9. Do you need muscles to write for a long time?

10. How do you feel about writing for a long period of time?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS

1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'handwriting'?

3. What do you think about what you read?

4. To what extent do you think handwriting is an art?

5. How often do you need to use a pen?

6. Is it better to use your smartphone or a pen to write lists?

7. Why is people's handwriting getting worse?

8. Would you like to write more beautifully?

9. Can you tell someone's character from their handwriting?

10. What questions would you like to ask the exam markers?

 

XIII. Search the Internet and find out more about handwriting. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

XIV. Write a letter to an expert on handwriting. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the importance of handwriting. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions. (For the letter writing see Appendix 2, Section I).

 

 

 

Module2

 

Higher Education in the USA

Text A.

More Than 2.2 Million Students Took SAT, Most Ever

October 05, 2019

 

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/more-than-2-2-million-students-took-sat-most-ever/5105780.html

Before reading:

I.  Brainstorm. Answer the following questions:

1. Have you ever heard of SAT?

2. What might it mean?

3. What does SAT provide American children with?

Read the text

More Than 2.2 Million Students Took SAT, Most Ever

October 05, 2019

  Preface

Those who believe that American schools are more play than work overlook an important fact: a high school diploma is not a ticket that allows someone to automatically enter a university.

There are two widely used and nationally administered standardized tests for high school students who wish to attend a college or university. One is the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), which attempts to measure aptitudes in verbal and mathematical fields necessary for college work. The other is the ACT (American College Testing Program), which attempts to measure skills in English, mathematics, and social and natural studies.

 

The College Board said that more than 2.2 million students in the class of 2019 took the college entrance test SAT. That is the largest group ever and an increase of four percent from the previous year. The average score, however, dropped a little, from 1068 to 1059.

 

The College Board said that more than 2.2 million students in the class of 2019 took the college entrance test SAT. That is the largest group ever and an increase of four percent from the previous year. The average score, however, dropped a little, from 1068 to 1059.

The SAT is a test many American colleges require as part of the admissions process. It is a multiple-choice test, which means students must decide which answer is the best from several provided for each question.

Higher scores can make the difference between being admitted into the top colleges and universities, and how much financial aid a student may receive.

Research shows that students who have greater access to college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT are more likely to apply to college. This is particularly true for low-income students.

School Day testing

The College Board also said nearly a million students of the 2019 class took the SAT on a school day. The SAT School Day program makes it easier for low-income, minority students and students from families with no history of college attendance to take the SAT.

Traditionally, students have to register and pay for the tests, then travel to testing centers on a weekend to take them. For people without the resources of a computer, credit card or car, it can be difficult.

Some states now give college entrance exams like the ACT and SAT for free, on a school day during school hours.

Cyndie Schmeiser is a Senior Advisor to the College Board. She said, "SAT School Day gives students nationwide increased access to higher education.” The program, she added, helps “students who would not or could not take (the) test on a weekend.”

The College Board also encouraged students to take the test earlier. Schmeiser said, “by promoting early testing, practice on Khan Academy^®, and SAT retakes at no charge for lower-income students, we hope to help more students achieve their educational and career goals."

M inority groups falling behind

In 2019, more African American and Latino students failed to meet the SAT test results for college readiness than the year before.

Fair Test, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, studied the new SAT results. It says the SAT score gaps, or differences, between different groups grew larger for the high school class of 2019.

Robert Schaeffer is Fair Test’s Public Education Director. He criticized the SAT test.

“Whether broken down by test-takers' race, parental education or household income,” he wrote, “average SAT scores of students from historically disenfranchised groups fell further behind their classmates from moreprivileged families.”

Schaeffer said, “The SAT remains a more accurate measure of a test-taker's family background” than a student’s ability to do college level work.

He said it is “no wonder nearly 40% of all four-year colleges and universities in the country are now test-optional.” He said “they recognize that these exam requirements undermine diversity without improving educational quality."

FILE - Students leave after a SAT exam at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, Nov. 2, 2013.

Foreign students

Most four-year universities and colleges require foreign students to take an admission test such as the SAT or ACT. Each university lists the admission requirements on their website. This will include required tests.

Through the College Board website, foreign students can get information about test dates and fees. The cost of taking the test is about $50.

There are free study materials on the College Board website, including practice tests. Khan Academy provides an official SAT practice on their website.

 After reading:

 Study the vocabulary:

minority – adj. – adj. describes a number or amount that is less than half of the total (also describes a group of people who are different from the larger group in a country, area, etc., in some way)

disenfranchised – adj. not having a position of power in society or right to vote

privileged – adj. to give an advantage that others do not have to someone or something

optional – adj. available as a choice but not required

undermine – v. to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective usually in a secret or gradual way

diversity – n. (social) quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, cultural backgrounds or lifestyles

 

II. Comprehension questions:

1. What is the SAT?

2. What is the ACT?

3. Why do the high school students have to take the tests?

4. What skills are measured at the SAT and the ACT?

5. What can higher scores give to students?

6. What do the students have to do to take the tests?

7. Why do some experts say, that the SAT remains a more accurate measure of a test-taker's family background?

8. Are the SAT or ACT required for foreign students?

III. TRUE / FALSE. Tell if a-f below are true (T) or false (F):

a) There are two widely used and nationally administered standardized tests in America.

b) The ACT (American College Testing Program) attempts to measure aptitudes in verbal and mathematical fields necessary for college work.

c) The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) attempts to measure skills in English, mathematics, and social and natural studies.

d) Less than 2.2 million students in the class of 2019 took the college entrance test SAT.

e) The SAT is a test many American colleges require as part of the admissions process.

f) Students who have greater access to college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT are more likely to apply to college.

g) Some states now give college entrance exams like the ACT and SAT for free, on a school day during school hours.

h) In 2019, more African American and Latino students failed to meet the SAT test results for college readiness than the year before.

IV. Multiple choice quiz:

1. What is the SAT?

· One test that U.S. colleges require for admission

· Any computerized test with multiple-choice questions

· An application for financial aid at universities

· One method for deciding on the level of a college