现代大学英语听力2unit5

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Unit 5 Education Task 1

Two people are interviewed about their ideas on

in the street\"; the other is an educational psychologist.

education. One is an ordinary \"man

The man in the street:

When I was at school, I hated it. I couldn't stand it. I wasn't happy until I got out. I think this idea of permanent education is crazy. I know some people go back to school when they're older, go to language classes at the local \"tech\" and all that, but I can't understand people who want to spend all their lives in school.

The educational psychologist:

The idea of permanent education is practical because we're never really too old to

go on learning. Of course, there are certain limits, but they aren't age limits. For example, let's say a man past sixty tries to learn how to play football. It's foolish for him to do that, but only because his body is too old, not his mind!

Key A 1. 2.

People’s ideas on permanent education. One is an ordinary

“man in the street

”. The other is an educational

psychologist. 3.

The

first

person thinks this idea of permanent education

is crazy. He can’t

understand people who want to spend all their lives in school. The second person thinks the idea of permanent education too old to go on learning.

is practical

because people are never really

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B 1.

was; hated; stand; got out 2. all their lives 3. certain limits; age

limits

Task 2 John is talking primary school

John: Yes, I did. I went to a nursery school first, at the age of four, but this was purely voluntary. There was a good kindergarten in our neighbourhood so my parents decided to send me there for a year. Martin: Can you still remember it John: Yes, I have faint, full

to Martin about his primary schooling. Martin: Did you go to a state

but very pleasant memories of it. It was a delightful

schools,

place,

it

of fun and games. As in most nursery work — if you can call

that — consisted of storytelling, drawing, singing and dancing.

Martin: You probably don't remember but you must have missed it when you left you know, when you went to the Infants' School at the age of five. John: I suppose I must have, but you know, right was very pleasant. It was only later in the Junior formal lessons and even worry about exams.

up to the age of seven, school life School that we began to have more

Martin: Really Did you have to do exams at that age

John: Yes, we used to then. We had to take an exam at the age of eleven called the \"Eleven Plus\"

to see what kind of secondary school we would get into.

But this exam has disappeared nowadays.

Key A Age 2

Schooling

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Four Five Seven

Nursery School The Infants

’ School

The Junior School

B 1. 2.

He stayed there for a year.

He has faint, but very pleasant memories of it. He had fun and played

games---including story-telling, drawing, singing and dancing.

3. 4.

He began t have more formal lessons and even worry about exams. The

exam was called the “Eleven Plus ”.

Students took the exam to see what

kind of secondary school they would get into.

Task 3

Education in the United Kingdom is compulsory for everyone between the ages of 5 and 16, and is provided by two kinds of schools: state-funded (or fee-charging) schools.

schools and independent

Children education

Pre-school or pre-preparatory education: Pre-school education is available in both

the independent and the state systems. Many children start their education at the age of 3 or 4 at a nursery school or in the nursery class at a primary school.

Preparatory education: In the independent system, preparatory (or primary)

education is available for children aged 5 to 13.

Primary education: Most children in the United Kingdom enter the state education system when they go to primaryschool

at the age of 5 and generally move to secondary

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school at the age of 11.

Secondary education

Most pupils enter independent boarding schools at the age of 7, 11, 13 or 16. To gain admission at 11 or 13, some pupils sit an exam called the Common Entrance Examination. At 16, they enter the school to study in its sixth form (for A-levels and equivalent qualifications).

All UK secondary schools, both state and independent, teach pupils at least until the age of 16 and prepare them for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or equivalent qualifications.

GCSEs in vocational subjects are normally taken students can do

one further

year of

at the age of

academic study before

16. Following these,

taking Advanced

Supplementary Examinations (ASlevels). After another year of study, they can take Advanced level examinations (A-levels).

Alternatively, there are career-based qualifications, such as General National Vocational Qualifications

(GNVQs) or vocational

A-levels,

which can be taken

after

one or two years of study. All these courses give access to university or further study.

Students usually study from 8 to 12 GCSEsubjects over two years. Most students study

a core of statutory subjects and choose additional subjects from a list.

On any GCSE course, you receive formal tuition in the classroom and laboratory but

are also encouraged to work independently and undertake research for projects, often outside school hours. Educational visits, either on your own or as part of a small

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group, are often part of the timetable. Some subjects take account of the work you do throughout

the year,

while

others

are assessed entirely

by examination.

Examinations are independently marked and graded. GCSE grades range from A (the highest) to G.

New GCSEs in vocational subjects are a career-based version of the GCSE. Eight subjects are available.

One vocational GCSEis equivalent to two conventional GCSEs.

As with other GCSEs, grades range from A (the highest) to G.

Sixth-formers usually finish their secondary education at the age of 18 with A-levels

or equivalent qualifications.

Key A 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

compulsory; the ages of 5 and 16; state-funded; independent available; at a nursery school; in the nursery class at a primary school preparatory; primary; aged 5 to 13

enter the state education system; at the age of 5; secondary school 7,

11, 13 or 16; gain admission

at 11 or 13; the CommonEntrance

Examination

one further year; Advanced Supplementary Examinations; Advanced Level

Examinations

7. 8. 9.

classroom; laboratory; work independently; undertake research for projects

vocational; conventional

secondary education; with A-levels; further; higher

B 1.

GCSE stand for the General Certificate of Secondary Education. It is

normally take at the age of sixteen.

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2. Students usually study form 8 to 12 subjects over two years.

3. Some subjects take account of the work students do throughout the year, while

others are assessed entirely by examination.

Task 4 Kate: Yes, it's

difficult to teach children these days, when many of them know they

won't get jobs. it's hard to control the class if you can't punish them. I often hit them with

a ruler.

Of course,

in my part of Scotland we're allowed to hit them,

and I think it's necessary — some children need discipline.

Interviewer: What do you think, Rolf I know you feel very strongly about corporal punishment.

Rolf: I don't agree with Kate. I know it's difficult to be a teacher, but I think

it always has been. But you don't have to use violence. it's impossible to teach students about nonv iolenceand being good citizens when you are violent yourself. Interviewer:

What do the Welsh think,

Jane Rolf thinks corporal

punishment is wrong.

Jane: Yes, I think so too. Interviewer: And Raoul

Raoul: Well, I think it's sometimes necessary When one child constantly disobeys, you have to beat him, or else

send him away -maybe to a special

school. it's

impossible

to teach the rest of the class if you have one student who constantly misbehaves. it's bad for the others.

Interviewer: Did anyone beat you when you were at school Raoul: Well...

Key A

Topic of This Discussion: Corporal Punishment

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Interviewees Position on

This Topic For/Against

Arguments/Reasons

Kate

For

It ’s difficult to teach children these days, when

many of them know they won’t get jobs. It ’s hard to control the class if you can’t

punish them. Some children need discipline.

Rolf Against It always has been difficult to be a teacher. But you

don’t have to use violence. It ’s impossible to teach students about nonviolence

and being good citizens when you are violent yourself. Jane

Raoul

Against

For Its

’

impossible to teach the rest of the class of you

’s bad for the others.

have one student who constantly misbehaves. It

B 1..F 2.F

Task 5

\"Sesame Street\" has been called \"the longest street in the world\". That is because

the television program by that name can now be seen in so many parts of the world.

That program became one of America's exports soon after it went on the air in New York in 1969.

In the United States more than six million children watch the program regularly. The viewers

include

more than half the nation's

pre-school children, from every kind

of economic, racial, and geographical group.

Although some educators object to certain elements in the program, parents praise it highly. Many teachers also consider it a great help, though some teachers find 7

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that problems arise when first graders who have learned from \"Sesame Street\" are in the same class with children who have not watched the program.

Tests have shown that children from all racial, geographical, and economic

backgrounds have benefited from watching \"Sesame Street\". Those who watch it five times a week learn more than the occasional

viewers. In the United States the program

is shown at different hours during the week in order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly.

In its American form \"Sesame Street\" is shown in nearly fifty countries. Three

foreign shows based on \"Sesame Street\" have also appeared in Spanish, Portuguese, and German. Viewers of the show in Japan buy one hundred thousand booklets with translations of the English sound track every two weeks.

The programs all use songs, stories, jokes and pictures to give children a basic understanding of numbers, letters and human relationships. But there are some differences. For instance, the Spanish program, produced in Mexico City, devotes more time to teaching whole words than to teaching separate letters.

Why has \"Sesame Street\" been so much more successful than other children's shows Many reasons have been suggested. People mention the educational theories of its creators, the support by government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety

of TV tricks.

Perhaps an equally

important

reason is that

mothers watch stars

\"Sesame Street\" along with their children. often appear on \"Sesame Street\".

This is partly because famous adult

But the best reason for the success of the program

may be that it makes every child watching it feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.

Key 8

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A 1.

Because the television program by that name can now be seen in many

parts of the world.

2.

This program is very popular among children. Some educators object to

certain elements in the program. Parents praise it highly. Many teachers also

consider it a great help, though some teachers find that problems arise

when first

graders who have learned from “Sesame Street ” are in the same class who have not watched the program. 3. 4.

In order to increase the number of children who can watch it regularly. 1) The reasons may include the educational theories of its creators, the support by both government and private businesses, and the skillful use of a variety of TV tricks 2) Perhaps an equally

with children

important reason is that mothers watch “Sesame Street ” along

with their children. This is partly because famous adult stars often appear on “Sesame Street ”.

3) The best reason for the success of the program may be that it makes every child watching it feel able to learn. The child finds himself learning, and he wants to learn more.

B 1. 2.

six million; regularly; half; economic; racial; geographical

fifty; Spanish; Portuguese; German; one hundred thousand; English;

every two weeks

3. songs; stories; jokes; pictures; numbers; letters; human relationships

Task 6

One of the goals of American education officials is to have all public schools 9

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connected to the Internet computer system and have computers for all students. Government studies show that in 1994 only

35 percent of American public schools

were

connected to the Internet. Last year, that number reached percent.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is a large university in the southern state of Virginia. Officials at Virginia Tech say computers are very important to a student's

education.

All students at Virginia

Tech have been required

to have a computer since 1998.

Each student's living area at Virginia Tech has the necessary wires to link a computer

to the Internet. The students can send and receive electronic mail, use the World

Wide Web part of the Internet and link with other universities, all without leaving

their rooms. They can also use their computers to sent electronic copies of their

school work to their teachers. And they can search for books in the school's huge

library.

Most major American universities and colleges strongly urge or require new students

to have a computer. Most colleges and universities also have large rooms where students can use computers for classwork.

American high schools also have computers. Many have their own areas on the World Wide Web. If you have a computer you can learn about Fremont Union High School in Sunnyvale, California, for example. Its web site provides information about the school, the teachers and their electronic mail addresses. It also lists student events and organizations.

Young children also use computers in school. Smoketree Elementary School, in Lake Havasu, Arizona is a good example. The school also has a World Wide Web site. It tells about the school and the teachers and has an area for young children. These 10

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young children use computers in school to learn numbers and letters. They also learn

how to use the computers they will need later in their education.

Key A 1.

It

is to have all

public schools connected to the Internet

computer system

and have computers available for all students. 2.

Its web site provides information about the school, the teacher and their

mail addresses. It also lists student events and organizations.

3.

They learn numbers and letters. They also learn how to use the computers

they will need later in their education.

B 1. 1994; 35%; Last year; % 2.

universities; colleges; urge; require

Task 7

In ancient times the most important examinations were spoken, not written. In the schools

of ancient Greece and Rome, testing usually

consisted of saying poetry

or giving speeches.

In the European universities of the middle ages, students who were working for advanced degrees had to discuss questions in their field of study with people who had made a special study of the subject. This custom exists today as part of the process of testing candidates for the doctor's degree.

Generally, however, modern examinations are written. The written examination, all students are tested on the same questions, was probably not known until the

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aloud

where

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nineteenth century. Perhaps it came into existence with the great increase in population and the development of modern industry. A room full of candidates for a state examination, timed exactly by electric clocks and carefully watched over by managers, resembles a group of workers at an automobile

factory.

Certainly,

during

examinations teachers and students are expected to act like machines. There is nothing very human about the examination process.

Two types of tests are commonly used in modern schools. called

an \"objective\"

test.

The first type is sometimes

It is intended to deal with facts, not personal opinions.

each of which

To make up an objective has only

test the teacher writes a series of questions,

one correct answer. Along with each question the teacher writes the correct

answer and also three statements that look like answers to students who have not learned the material properly. It can be scored very quickly by the teacher or even deal about the student's

by a machine. In a short time the teacher can find out a great range of knowledge.

For testing some kinds of learning, however, such a test is not very satisfactory A lucky student may guess the correct answer without really knowing the material. For a clearer picture of what the student knows, most teachers use another kind of examination in addition to objective tests. They use \"essay\" tests, which require students to write long answers to broad general questions.

One advantage of the essay test is that it reduces the element of luck. The student

cannot get a high score just by making a lucky guess. Another advantage is that it shows the examiner more about the student's ability to put facts together into a meaningful whole. It should show how deeply he has thought about the subject. Sometimes, though, essay tests have disadvantages, too. Some students are able to write rather good answers without 12

really knowing much about the subject,

while other

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students who actually form.

know the material have trouble expressing their ideas in essay

Besides, on an essay test the student's score may depend upon the examiner's feelings

tired or bored, the student may

at the time of reading the answer. If he is feeling

receive a lower score than he should. Another examiner reading the same answer might give it a much higher mark. From this standpoint the objective

test gives each student

a fairer chance, and of course it is easier and quicker to score.

Most teachers and students would probably agree that examinations are unsatisfactory. Students dislike taking them; teachers dislike giving them and scoring students' answers. Whether an objective test or an essay test is used, problems arise. When some objective questions are used along with some essay questions, clear picture of the student's knowledge can usually be obtained.

however, a fairly

Key A 1.

spoken; written; saying poetry aloud; giving speeches; advanced degrees;

’s degree

field of study; custom; candidates; doctor

2.

written; nineteenth; the great increase in population; the development of

modern industry; objective; personal opinions; memory of facts and details; range

of knowledge; a fairer general

chance; easier; of luck;

quicker; learning; essay; ling answers; broad

whole;

questions; the element put facts together into a meaningful

expressing

really knowing much about the subject; have trouble their ideas in essay

form; examiner ’s feelings at the time of reading the answer. 3.

unsatisfactory; along with

B

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1. b

Task 8

Americans know that higher education is the key to the growth they need to lift

their

country, and today that is more true than ever. Just listen to these facts. Over half the

new jobs

created in the

last

three

years have

been managerial

and professional jobs. The new jobs require a higher level of skills. Fifteen

years ago the typical

worker with a college

degree made 38 percent more than

is 73 percent more. Two years People who finish

two years

a worker with a high school diploma. Today that figure of college

means a 20 percent increase

a million

annual earnings. dollars

of college earn a quarter of over a lifetime.

more tan their high school counterparts

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