2. Education: debates and issues

Question 1

equality of opportunity (iˈkwälitē əv ˌäpərˈt(y)o͞onitē)

Answer 1

when everyone has the same chances

Question 2

selective (səˈlektiv)

Answer 2

pupils are chosen, usually for academic reasons, for entry, though, in the case of some private schools, parents’ ability to pay school fees may be a factor in selection

Question 3

comprehensive (ˌkämpriˈhensiv)

Answer 3

everyone enters without exams and education is free, paid for by the government

Question 4

schooling (ˈsko͞oliNG)

Answer 4

education received at school

Question 5

elitism (āˈlē-,əˈlēˌtizəm)

Answer 5

when you favour a small, privileged group

Question 6

inherent in (-ˈher-,inˈhi(ə)rənt)

Answer 6

existing as a basic part of something

Question 7

league tables (lēg ˈtābəls)

Answer 7

lists of schools or colleges, from the best down to the worst, based on exam results and, sometimes, other criteria

Question 8

perpetuate (pərˈpeCHo͞oˌāt)

Answer 8

make something continue for ever

Question 9

two-tier system

Answer 9

a system with two separate leves, one of which is better than the other

Question 10

perceives

Answer 10

sees, considers

Question 11

better-off

Answer 11

richer

Question 12

well-endowed

Answer 12

receiving a lot of money in grants, gifts from rich people, etc [=endowments]

Question 13

depressing (diˈpresiNG)

Answer 13

reducing

Question 14

less well-off

Answer 14

poorer

Question 15

excel

Answer 15

achieve an excellent standard

Question 16

scholarships

Answer 16

money given to pay for studies, usually provided on the basis of academic merit

Question 17

bursary (ˈbərsərē)

Answer 17

money givent to pay for studies, usually providedon the basis of need

Question 18

tertiary (-SHərē,ˈtərSHēˌerē)

Answer 18

education at university or college level

Question 19

students loans

Answer 19

money that students can borrow from a bank while studying and then pay back once they are in work

Question 20

undergraduate (ˌəndərˈgrajəwit)

Answer 20

students doing a first degree [postgraduates = students doing a further degree]

Question 21

tuition fees (t(y)o͞oˈiSHən fē:z)

Answer 21

money paid to receive teaching