И. Б. Абрамова О. П. Кириченко

HIGHER EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN

1. 
   Most big towns in Britain have both a university and a college of higher education. Here are 91 universities in Britain and 47 colleges of higher education.
   
2. 
   English universities greatly differ from each other. Students apply¹ to universities month before they take their A-levels². The students are given a personal interview³ and the universities then decide which students they want. They offer them a place which depends on A-level results. The more popular the university, the higher the grades⁴ it will ask for.
   
3. 
   Most British students choose to go to university a long way from their hometown: university is seen as a time to be independent, to live away from home and develop new interests
   
4. 
   British students do not have to pay to go to university, but do need money to live away from home while they are studying. Some students whose parents do not earn a lot of money are given a grant from the local educational authority⁵. If students do not get a grant, parents have to pay for their children. Some students borrow money from the bank which must be paid back after they leave university. In theory the grant pays for rent, food, books, transport and socializing. In fact, the grant is not a lot of money. Students used to work⁶ during the holidays to earn more money, but it is now difficult to find such jobs.
   
5. 
   Not all students study full time at university or college. Many people combine their studies with work. Some companies release their staff for training⁷ one or two days a week or for two months a year. Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities in Britain and they have the highest academic reputation.
   

1. 
   подавать заявление
   
2. 
   экзамен на повышенном уровне по программе средней школы
   
3. 
   собеседование
   
4. 
   более высокий проходной бал
   
5. 
   местный орган образования
   
6. 
   работают
   
7. 
   освобождают от работы для учебы
   

1. 
   … money borrowed from the bank.
   
2. 
   … money for rent, food, books, transport and etc.
   
3. 
   … money have to pay to go to university.
   

Вариант 4

1. 
   The London underground is often called the tube, because it looks like a long, narrow and dimly lit tube, with its walls plastered with all kinds of advertisements
   
2. 
   There are hundreds little fishing villages on the south-west coast.
   
3. 
   The members of the groups that form the Opposition sit on the left, directly facing the Government benches.
   
4. 
   The light above Big Ben at night and the flag during the day-time signal for the people of London that the members of Parliament, are watching over the nation’s interests.
   

1. 
   One dog can search a warehouse in ten minutes, whereas the same search would take six men an hour.
   
2. 
   If you climb another 118 steps, you will be able to stand outside the dome and look over London.
   
3. 
   English conservatism, on a national scale, may be illustrated by reference to the public attitude to the monarchy.
   
4. 
   Fine buildings, theatres, museums and big shops can be found in the West End.