Copy of Texts for Class 9

6. Dialogue Writing and Interview

Practice

1.Imagine NBC wants to produce a radio program featuring different types of outstanding American schools. On the basis of the information given in the preceding articles, write an interview between the NBC-reporter and a student, teacher, or parent involved in the life of one of the two schools.

2.Now imagine that NBC has planned to broadcast another program on schools in other countries. Among others, your school is going to be featured, and a student has been selected to answer the reporter's questions. In pairs, work out the structure of the interview, formulate the questions the reporter wants to ask, and then carry out the interview with one of you as the interviewer and the other the interviewee.

7. Text Production

An American Senior High School

Write a short newspaper article about Quincy Senior High School based on the information provided by the interview.

8. Discussion and Comment

Would you like to participate in a student exchange program and attend an American senior high school? Discuss the various aspects of such a venture.

EDUCATION 203

9. Comprehension

Attendance Policy and Procedures

1.What are the reasons for the Quincy Senior High attendance policy?

2.Read the attendance regulations carefully and consider the following case:

Stephen Brown has been in grade eleven of Quincy Senior High for two months. So far he has missed three days because his mother was taken to hospital and he had to stay at home to take care of his little sister. He has been late five times because he overslept, and he has skipped his math class once because he had arranged to meet his girlfriend at that time.

What are Stephen's prospects for the rest of the school year?

3.How often and for what reasons have you missed classes at your school? How often have you been late?

What would your record mean at Quincy Senior High School?

10.Comment and Discussion

Find out about the attendance policy of your school and compare it with the Quincy Senior High regulations. Which regulations do you consider appropriate?

11. Text Production

What Students Think About Their Schools

Write a newspaper commentary in which you interpret the findings.

204 AMERICA IN CLOSE-UP

12. Comprehension

Universities in Transition

To make sure that you have understood the main points of this article find out whether the following statements are true or false.

1.The total number of 3,075 accredited colleges does not include church affiliated colleges.

2.There are now about three times as many students attending private colleges and universities as at the end of the Second World War.

3.The tuition fees are the main reason for the relative decline in the number of students undergoing private education.

4.The idea of private education is not in accordance with a democratic society which guarantees equal rights to everybody.

5.Panic which has broken out in some exclusive single-sex schools has led to a number of victims.

6.Riesman believes that the decrease in the number of single-sex schools is a step towards equality of educational opportunities for young people.

7.There are as many innovations and experiments to be found in public schools as in the private sector.

8.Private colleges are much smaller than public colleges and universities can ever be.

9.The academic freedom and independence of private colleges served as a model for public colleges.

10.State universities are often proud to be able to compete with famous private universities.

11.Regional branches of state universities attract equally qualified students.

12.Regional state colleges and universities cannot compete with their parent campuses because they get less financial support.

13. Text Analysis

1.What can you deduce from this text about David Riesman's personal attitude towards private colleges and universities?

2.What advantages and disadvantages of private universities does he mention?

14. Discussion

1.Can you think of any other points for or against private schools and universities which Riesman does not mention?

2.Do you think private schools and universities should have a place in a democratic society?