Unit 2: Education: debates and issues

Question 1

equality of opportunity

Answer 1

when everyone has the same chances

Question 2

selective schooling
/səˈlek.t̬ɪv/

Answer 2

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

Question 3

comprehensive schooling
/ˌkɑːm.prəˈhen.sɪv/

Answer 3

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

Question 4

elitism
/iˈliː.tɪ.zəm/

Answer 4

when you favour a small, privileged group

Question 5

inherent in
/ɪnˈhɪr.ənt/

Answer 5

existing as a basic part of something

Question 6

League tables
/liːɡ/

Answer 6

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

Question 7

perpetuate
/pɚˈpetʃ.u.eɪt/

Answer 7

make something continue

Question 8

two-tier system

Answer 8

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

Question 9

perceive
/pəˈsiːv/

Answer 9

sees, considers

Question 10

better-off

Answer 10

richer

Question 11

well-endowed

Answer 11

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

Question 12

depress
/dɪˈpres/

Answer 12

reduce

Question 13

less well-off

Answer 13

poorer

Question 14

excel

Answer 14

achieve an excellent standard

Question 15

bursary
/ˈbɝː.sɚ.i/

Answer 15

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

Question 16

tertiary
/ˈtɝː.ʃi.er.i/

Answer 16

education at university or college level

Question 17

undergraduate
/ˌʌn.dɚˈɡrædʒ.u.ət/

Answer 17

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

Question 18

the three Rs

Answer 18

reading, writing and arithmetic

Question 19

arithmetic
/əˈrɪθ.mə.tɪk/

Answer 19

the part of mathematics that involves the adding and multiplying, etc. of numbers:

Question 20

Literacy
/ˈlɪt̬.ɚ.ə.si/

Answer 20

the ability to read and write

Question 21

numeracy
/ˈnuː.mə.rə.si/

Answer 21

ability to do basic mathematics:

Question 22

syllabus
/ˈsɪl.ə.bəs/

Answer 22

plan of what is to be studied

Question 23

lifelong/continuing education

Answer 23

education for all ages

Question 24

mature students
/məˈtʊr/

Answer 24

adult students older than the average student

Question 25

Special needs education

Answer 25

education for children who cannot learn in the normal way, because they have some disability

Question 26

bullying
/ˈbʊl.i.ɪŋ/

Answer 26

threatening behaviour