BRAINSTORMING: What is your understanding of the words below? Give examples

Example: to write – to rewrite; to appear — to disappear

A. to build, to train, to paint, to tell, to use, to construct, to act

B. to approve, to like, to trust, to cover, to agree, to believe

10. Translate the following words analyzing their word-formation model:

Purify, metabolize, maximize, minimize, optimize, sanitize

Now form verbs from the following words using suffixes -ify, -ize. Translate them into Russian:

Simple, special, real, synthesis, solid

ACTIVE VOCABULARY

11. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

12. Read and translate the text below to learn about the system of higher education in Great Britain:

Text 2 A

Higher Education in Great Britain

Higher education in Great Britain is provided by three main types of institutions: universities, colleges and institutions of higher education and art and music colleges. All universities are autonomous institutions, particularly in matters relating to courses. They are empowered by a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament. As a result of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, the binary line separating universities and polytechnics was abolished and polytechnics were given university status (i.e., the right to award their own degrees) and took university titles. The Council for National Academic Awards was abolished, leaving most institutions to confer their own degrees. Most universities are divided into faculties which may be subdivided into departments. Universities in the UK examine matters of concern to all universities. Many colleges and institutions of higher education are the result of mergers of teacher training colleges and other colleges.

Non-university higher education institutions also provide degree courses, various non-degree courses and postgraduate qualifications. Some may offer Higher Degrees and other qualifications offered by most non-university higher education institutions which are validated by external bodies such as a local university or the Open University. An institution can also apply for the authority to award its own degrees but it must be able to demonstrate a good record of running degree courses validated by other universities. A degree from any one British university or institution of higher education is considered to be academically equivalent to a degree from any other British university or institution of higher education. However, certain British universities carry, for historical reasons, extra prestige. Oxford and Cambridge are obvious examples, and competition for entry to these universities is great. Some British degrees are one-subject in style, e.g. BSc in Chemistry, but many dual-subject degrees and, increasingly, special combinations such as sciences or business administration with a modern language are offered. An increasing number of degrees involving study in Britain and another EU country are now available.

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

13. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as:

14. Find in the text the synonyms to the following words:

15. Find in the text the antonyms to the following words:

16. Find the equivalents to the words in italics on the left:

17. Choose among the words in parentheses the one that corresponds to the text above to complete the sentences:

1. All universities are ___ institutions.

(a. autonomous, b. state, c. private)

2. According to the Act of 1992 the binary line was abolished and polytechnics were given university ___.

(a. agreement, b. status, c. recommendation)

3. Most Universities ___ into faculties which may be subdivided into departments.

(a. are divided, b. are called, c. are interested)

4. Non-university higher education institutions also provide degree ___, various non-degree courses and postgraduate qualifications.

(a. programmes, b. curriculum, c. courses)

5. A degree from any British university or institution of ___ is considered to be academically equivalent to a degree from any other British university or institution of higher education.

(a. primary school, b. higher education, c. postgraduate course)

6. Competition for entry to Oxford and Cambridge is ___.

(a. great, b. big, c. large)

7. An increasing number of degrees involving study in Britain and another EU country ___ now ___.

(a. are, b. have, c. is available)

18. Read Text 2A once more. In pairs, discuss the statements below. Say what you think about them and ask your partner if he/she agrees or disagrees with you. Use the following phrases to help you:

1. Higher education in Great Britain is provided by many types of institutions.

2. All the universities are autonomous institutions and they are empowered by a Royal Charter or an Act of Parliament.

3. As a result of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1892 the binary line separating universities and polytechnics was abolished and polytechnics were given university status.

4. Many colleges and institutions of higher education are the result of mergers of teacher training colleges and other colleges.

5. Non-university higher education institutions can not provide degree courses and postgraduate qualifications.

6. Higher Degrees and other qualifications are validated only by internal bodies of universities.

7. A degree from any one British university or institution of higher education is considered to be academically equivalent to a degree from any British university or institution of higher education.

8. Oxford and Cambridge are obvious examples of extra prestige and competition for entry to these universities is great.

9. All British degrees are one-subject in style, e.g. BSc in Chemistry.

19. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box:

Britain’s Universities

There are about 90 universities in Britain which 1___ into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), the 19th century universities such as London and Manchester Universities and the new ones. Some years ago there were also 2___.

After 3 ___ a polytechnics a student got a degree, but this was not a university degree. Thirty one former polytechnics were given 4___ in 1992. Full courses of study offer the degree of 5 ___. Most 6 ___ at universities last three years, language courses 4 years (including a year spent abroad), medicine and dentistry courses are longer (5-7 years).

Students may 7 ___ from their Local Education Authority. These grants will help the students 8 ___ their books, accommodation, transport and food. Students do not usually have a job during 9 ___, but now they have to work in the evenings. The exams are highly 10 ___. There are not only universities in Britain but also 11___.

Check your answers on p. 279.

20. Work in pairs, think of some questions to review the contents of Text 2A and ask each other. Use the word combinations below:

21. Read the following text to find answers to the given questions:

Text 2 B

Entrance Procedures

1. How and where can a bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, etc) be obtained?

2. How long do degree courses last?

3. What are typical entry requirements for university courses and for other institutions of higher education?

4. What are the functions of Universities and College Admissions Service?

5. How many institutions of higher education can students apply for?

6. Why is an academic/character reference from schools very important?

7. When will a university or institution send an offer of a place?

8. How many offers are applicants allowed to accept?

9. When will the final decision concerning a student and university be taken?

A bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, etc) can be obtained by a minimum of three year’s study at one of the more than 200 universities or institutions of higher education in the UK offering degree courses. Some degree courses last four years, the extra year being spent in practical training, as in many ‘sandwich’ degrees such as engineering, or as a year abroad if studying a modern language.

Only about the top 7% of the age cohort in the UK studies for a degree; consequently entry to universities or similar institutions is highly competitive. Typical entry requirements would be at least 3 C grades at A Level for university courses and perhaps three D grades for entry to other institutions of higher education. In the third term of Year 12 students prepare their applications to university. Applications are then made in the first term of the Year 13 through one centralized organization known as UCAS*.

The applications are made on a UCAS form, electronically through the EAS*. Students can apply to a maximum of six universities/institutions. As well as the student’s personal details and a paragraph on their extra-curricular interests, the UCAS form will carry details of their (I)GCSE grades so far and an academic/character reference from the school which will include a prediction of the grades that the applicant is likely to obtain at A Level. It is therefore vital that students impress upon their teachers the quality of their work throughout the entire sixth form course and that they do not think of Year 12 as an ‘easy’ year.

If a university or institution is impressed by the student’s UCAS form they will send an offer of a place conditional upon obtaining certain stated A Level grades. Applicants are allowed to provisionally accept and hold a maximum of two offers.

The final decision on which institution the student will actually attend will be taken when the A Level results are published in mid-August. Degree courses start in late September or early October.

Notes on the text

*UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

*EAS - Electronic Applications Systems

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

22. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as: