School is one of the most significant institutions. School teaches reading, writing, the use of mathematics and other basic skills needed in everyday life. It increases people's knowledge of the world and themselves and helps them understand the rapid changes that take place in modern society. In schools pupils learn their responsibilities and rights as citizens, improve their ability to think critically, and develop such basic values as truth, justice and equality.

People throughout the world attend schools, but the quality of schools varies among countries. Today most countries have well-developed educational systems, guarantee its citizens the right to universal secondary education and create means for further professional education. Different countries try to preserve the democratic character of education paying much attention to common human values, developing independent critical thinking instead of simple perception of information.

Schools face some problems, however. The greatest problem for a school today seem to be that all subjects are compulsory and pupils have no opportunity to choose the subjects they want to learn deep. Thousands of pupils have to spend a lot of time sitting and thinking over the subjects they don't like, don't need or don't understand. It usually drives them mad and they start hating this or that subject or become indifferent to it. It would be great if some subjects were optional so that children could choose their favourite ones out of the formal curriculum. Such education would be better and more effective.

1) (Points: 1)

The text is about .

А) universities
Б) kindergartens
В) schools
Г) higher education

2) (Points: 1)

Choose the right sentence.

А) Education doesn’t play any role in people’s lives.
Б) In schools pupils develop basic values.
В) Pupils can choose any subjects they want.
Г) School doesn’t teach basic skills.

3) (Points: 1)

Find the wrong statement.

А) There are some problems that schools face nowadays.
Б) Many countries have good educational systems.
В) The quality of schools is the same everywhere.
Г) There are subjects that pupils don’t like.

4) (Points: 1)

Complete the sentence.

Different countries try to preserve .

А) the formal curriculum
Б) further professional education
В) the democratic character of education
Г) thinking over the subjects

5) (Points: 1)

Answer the question.

What (according to the text) can drive pupils mad?

А) Subjects they don’t like and understand.
Б) Uncomfortable chairs.
В) Boring teachers.
Г) Necessity to think critically.

6) (Points: 1)

Choose the best title for the text.

А) What to do at school?
Б) How to become a school leaver?
В) Schools several years ago
Г) Schools and their role in people’s lives

(Points: 6)

Which is better: traditional learning or e-learning? Write an essay of at least 100 words.