Card 5

Education

1. Let’s talk about education. What can you tell me about the system of education in Belarus?
Education plays a very important role in our life. We get our knowledge of this world and life through
education. Education develops different sides of human personality. Besides, it helps a person to understand
himself, to choose the right way in this world. Happiness, sadness and other emotions we all can find in our
school time. That's why school life is the best time in human life.
We can say that Belarus has a developed system of education. There are a lot of schools, colleges and
universities in Belarus.
Education in Belarus is free and compulsory from age 6 to 15 and the system is well administered. Girls and
boys come to school when they are 6 years old. The first four years of school are primary school. Children
develop basic skills and habits of writing, reading, count, they get some knowledge of the nature, society
and man about healthy way of life. Then pupils go on to basic secondary school for 5 years education.
The school year in Belarus runs from the first of September to the end of May. The school year is divided
into 4 terms and 4 vocations. Summer holidays are the longest. Usually classes start at 8 a.m. and last till 2
or 3 p.m.. Children study different subjects: Russian, Belarusian, English, Literatures, History, Geography,
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Programming and computer sciences. The typical Belarusian
class contains 25 pupils. 9th form is last year of compulsory education. After the 9th form they pass exams
and can go to the colleges or continue study at school for more 2 years. Then they can enter to the
universities.
2. Do you agree that Belarusian secondary school provides a person with good knowledge? Why
(not)?
Generally speaking, I should say that children have got opportunities to get good knowledge. The
programs of Belarusian secondary school comprise all the subjects for basic knowledge. Students
may be involved in different activities: such as making different projects and presentations, research
work, making speeches. The aim of our secondary education is also to learn social skills, to develop
critical thinking, to develop understanding of other people, to prepare for life in the workplace and
many others.
3. What questions would you ask your British friend about the system of education in Britain?
At what age do your children go to school?
When does your school year begin?
How many terms and vocations have you got?

4. What would you advise pupils to do to prepare for an exam well?

To give up watching TV and sitting in front of the computer display and to sit down and work hard
with the exam materials.

5. Today some young people want to study abroad because they believe that the level of education is
higher there. Would you do the same?
Yes it’s true about some people. But they want to go abroad not because the level of education is
better there. They go there because in future they will have more opportunities. The level of living
conditions is much better in some other countries. Besides they will improve their knowledge of
foreign languages. Also there are people who are looking for adventures and want to be independent
from their parents.
 Билет 5

Аудирование (Скрипт 22, страница 92)

1. How did the dolphins help a 10-year-old boy? After taking part in a dolphin interaction programme he
has begun to use words to communicate.

2. How does swimming with dolphins help the children? Close contact with the dolphins works as a
motivator.

3. Why are some people not very enthusiastic about dolphin therapy? Some people point out the harm
done to the dolphins.

Текст (№ 11 UNKNOWN ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, страница 17)

1. This text is about the great writer Arthur Conan Doyle. He was not only a writer, but he was a doctor. He
was a very active man. He did many things in his life, but he will be remembered most as a writer, a creator
of Sherlock Holmes.

2. Conan Doyle had many talents. Read aloud the extract which says about it. (1 абзац)
3. How did his writing talent develop?
When he worked as a doctor he used his free time by writing stories.

4. Which facts prove that Conan Doyle took an active part in social life? He was a great man of action.
He tried to enter Parliament, he worked to improve the law system. He worked very hard to help people who
had been wrongfully sent to prison.