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Focus 4 Unit 1 COMPLEX TEST

Last updated over 2 years ago
19 questions
Complete gaps 1–5 with sentences A–F. There is one extra sentence.


LEARNING FROM HOW OTHERS LEARN


If we want to give our children the best education possible, it is sensible to look at the most successful education systemsin the world for ideas. Different countries have different ideas about how to ensure that their children maximisetheir potential. It’s clear that no education system is perfect. (1) ___ So, what, if anything, can we learn from them and arethere any similarities between them at all?
The two countries are South Korea and Finland. Korea has a one hundred percent literacy rate. Its students achieve outstanding grades in all kinds of tests compared to those in other countries. How do they do it? (2) ___ Manyare taught by private tutors after their normal lessons. Despite large class sizes, there are no problems with discipline. Teachers are respected and teach in a traditional manner with the children paying attention and obeyinginstructions unquestioningly.
Finnish children also do very well in comparison with school students in other countries. However, in Finland, schoolscombine a short school day and extra after-school activities to develop individual interests and motivate the children.(3) ___ There is much less stress in Finnish schools than in Korean schools but that doesn’t mean that the teaching isunprofessional. Finnish teachers spend less time teaching but more time in professional development. They are highlyeducated and teaching is a well- respected and well-paid profession.
So, what can we learn from this brief look at two countries who are able to educate their children more effectively thanwe can? Firstly, children need a reason to learn. That may be pressure from parents, peers and society as a whole tosucceed. (4) ___ Too often in our schools, we find children who are uninterested in the lessons and parents who areuninterested in their progress. Politicians and journalists would rather criticise teachers than praise them and, as aresult, members of the teaching profession lack the respect they receive in other countries. (5) ___ The oppositeshould be true.
As we can see, Finland and South Korea do share one great similarity. In both societies, people look up to teachers andrecognise the importance of the job they are doing. So, let’s have more respect for teachers, students and education ingeneral and, maybe, our children can be challenging those from South Korea and Finland in the future.

A The answer appears to be by sheer hard work. Students are under immense pressure to achieve their goals.
B These comparisons can hide faults and ignore positive aspects of poorly performing students but, generally, they give us a good idea of which education systems work best.
C Alternatively, it could be an interest in what they are learning and a thirst for even more knowledge.
D However, in most studies, two countries have a higher standard of education than others, even though the way they educate their children seems to be completely different.
E The idea is that they will work hard because they want to rather than because they are forced to.
F The public are more aware of the length of teachers’ holidays than the enormous pressure they are under in the classroom.
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I can hear them .... now. They're really loud!

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We didn't know what to do, but then Sam had a ... .It was a great idea!

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Jane is so annoying. She ..... sing quietly while we're studying and it drives me mad!

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I only just .... through my exams, I'll work harder next time.

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Do you ever feel a(n) ... to learn a new skill?

1

I'd like to work in the _____ of engineering as a career.

1

We'll never know the answer; it will _____ a mystery.

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I will always ..... (remember/visit) the London Eye. It was fun!

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 We decided .......(go) to the library to research our project.

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His parents ..... (let/he/choose) which subjects he wanted to study.

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Tom usually ..... (avoid/revise) for exams until the last moment.

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Can you ..... (remind/your brother/give) his homework to the teacher?

1

Politics ..... to be of interest to me, but now it is.

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When my brother was small, he was so naughty! He ...... everybody.