Test 10th form

Reading Comprehension

I. Read the text and choose the correct answers.

The Erasmus programme

New friends, new experiences and the chance to learn a new language- that's what
one young Dutch student from Rotterdam was hoping to find when he set off around
Europe to study. He was keen to learn as much as he could. He started at the Collège
de Montaigu at the University of Paris before moving on to the University of
Cambridge, where his work was so impressive that his professors even suggested that
he should stay and teach. The Dutch student, however, was determined to continue
with his journey and left for the University of Turin in Italy. Obviously, he was a
student from a wealthy family, you might think. Well, no, the student in question was
a poor orphan called Erasmus, travelling between the years of 1495 and 1506.

Students in the 21st century aren't in a position to spend ten years of their lives
touring European centres of learning. Nonetheless, if someone really wants to fulfil
their dream of studying abroad, there has never been more opportunity. One of the
reasons for this is the European Union's education programme named after the Dutch
student mentioned above. Erasmus is an ambitious educational programme which
aims to promote cooperation 20 between European students and European institutions
of higher education. Since its launch in 1987, over 5 million European students have
taken advantage of it.

Students on the Erasmus programme can spend from three months to an academic
year at a university in another European country. They do not have to pay any extra
fees to the host university, and they can apply for a grant to help them with the cost of
accommodation. The 250,000 Erasmus students that take part in the programme
every year have a great time and return home not only with new skills, but also more
mature, independent and confident. So if you're dreaming of going to university in the
future, why don't include a year on the Erasmus programme in your plans?

1.What did one young student hope to find when he went to study?
a) The chance to learn a language
b) New experiences
c) New friends
d) Everything given above
2.The student was ...
a) French.
b) Dutch.
c) German.
3.The young man liked to ...
a) travel.
b) move.
c) study.
4.Where was he proposed to work?
a) At the Collège de Montaigu
b) At the University of Cambridge
c) At the University of Paris
5.The student was determined and ...
a) went to the University of Turin in Italy.
b) stayed and became to teach.
c) became the professor.
6.This student was .....
a) from a rich family.
b) from a poor family.
c) without parents.
7.Young people in the 21st century .... spend ten years for studying in Europe.
a) can
b) can't
c) don't want to
8.The European Union's education programme was named after ....
a) the Italian professor.
b) the Greek philosopher.
c) the Dutch student.
9.Erasmus is a(n) ...
a) higher education institution.
b) educational programme.
c) European centre of learning.
10.Erasmus gives young people the opportunity ...
a) to work in Europe.
b) to study in Europe.
c) to study in America.
11.Erasmus has worked ...
a) since 1987.
b) since 1495
c) since 1506
12.This education programme helped .....
a) about 5 million European students.
b) more than 5 million European students.
c) less than 5 million European students.
13.Students on the Erasmus programme can study .... at a European university.
a) from 1 to 3 years
b) from 3 to 6 months
c) from 3 to 12 months
14.Students on the Erasmus programme ....
a) have to pay for the accommodation.
b) do not have to pay for the accommodation.
15.Every year ... students take part in the programme.
a) 250 hundred
b) 250 thousand
c) 250 million
16.The Erasmus students return home .....
 a) with a new job.
b) with new skills.
c) with new skills, independence and confidence.
II. Answer the questions.
17.What three aims did the young student from Rotterdam have?
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18.What is the difference between students today and Erasmus?
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19.How does the Erasmus programme work?
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20.What benefits do students get from taking part in the Erasmus programme?
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