topic specific vocabulary

Education
Task 1: Look at the sentences below and fill in the gaps using the appropriate word from
A. B or C

1. He didn't get a good grade the first time he did his IELTS exam, so decided to „__ it.
A. resit B. remake C. repair

2 People who attend university later in life are often called students.
A. aged B. mature C old

3 Although she had left school and was working, she went to evening classes at the local College of
Education.
A. Upper B. Further C. Higher

4. After he left school, he decided to go on to education and applied for a place at

Edinburgh University.
A. further B. upper C higher

5 He received a local government to help him pay for his course.

A. fee B. fare C grant

6 Education helps us to acquire knowledge and learn new ________ .

A. skills B. powers C abilities

7 Although she already had a first degree from university, she decided that she wanted to work towards
a degree later in life.
A. further B. senior C higher

8 We should make the best of every to learn.

A. chance B. opportunity C availability

9 Nowadays, education is promoted a lot in schools.

A. body B. health C. vitality

10. A large number of parents are dissatisfied with the education system, and put their
children into private schools instead.
A. government B. national C state

11. Because so many students find exams stressful, some colleges offer a system of
assessment instead.
A. continual B. continuous C ongoing

12. He has read a lot of books and a lot of knowledge.

A. acquired B. won C achieved

Task 2: Complete sentences 1-11 with a suitable word or expression from the box.

primary • numeracy • graduate • evening class • course

discipline • literacy • day release • kindergarten • enrol
secondary • skills • pass • correspondence • qualifications • degree

1. When Michael was three, he started going to a .

2. At the age of five, he entered education.

3. He learned basic such as

and ,

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Peter Collin Publishing. © 2001. For reference, see the English Dictionary for Students (1-901659-06-2)
topic specific vocabulary
Education
4. After he turned eleven he began to attend school.

5. Although he was lazy and lacked sufficient . ___________ , he was able to

his exams.

6. When he was eighteen he found a college which offered a in Art

and Design.

7. He was able to for the course a few days before his nineteenth birthday.

8. He worked hard and three years later was able to _____ with a
in Art and Design.

9. After that he followed a course in photography from a college in the USA

using the Internet.

10. The he gained impressed an advertising company he wanted to work for.

11. Although he is now working, he has decided to attend an after work,

although he was disappointed that his boss didn't offer him .

Task 3: Now read this essay and complete the gaps with one of the words or expressions from
Tasks 1 and 2. You may need to change the form of some of the words.

'You are never too old to learn'. Do you agree with this statement?

Education is a long process that not only provides us with basic (1) such as
(2) and (3) , but is also essential in shaping our
future lives. From the moment we enter (4) as small children, and as we
progress through (5) and (6) education, we are
laying the foundations for the life ahead of us. We must (7) ourselves to work
hard so that we can (8) exams and gain the (9)
we will need to secure a good job. We must also (10)__ _____ valuable life skills so
that we can fit in and work with those around us. And of course (11)
education helps us to understand how we can stay fit and healthy.

For most people, this process ends when they are in their mid-to-late teens. For others, however, it is the
beginning of a lifetime of learning. After they finish school, many progress to
(12) education where they will learn more useful skills such as computer
literacy or basic business management. Others will (13) on a programme of
(14) education at a university where, with hard work, they will have the
opportunity to (15) after three or four years with a well-earned
(16) . After that, they may work for a while before opting to study for a
(17) degree - an MA, for example, or a PhD, Alternatively, they may choose
to attend an (18) after work or, if they have a sympathetic employer, obtain
(19) so that they can study during the week. And if they live a long way from
a college or university, they might follow a (20)__ __ _ . course using mail and the
Internet. In fact, it is largely due to the proliferation of computers that many people, who have not been
near a school for many years, have started to study again and can proudly class themselves as
(21) students.

We live in a fascinating and constantly changing world, and we must continually learn and acquire new
knowledge if we are to adapt and keep up with changing events. Our schooldays are just the beginning
of this process, and we should make the best of every (22) to develop
ourselves, whether we are eighteen or eighty. You are, indeed, never too old to learn.

50
Peter Collin Publishing. © 2001. For reference, see the English Dictionary for Students (1-901659-06-2}