D. Complete each sentence using the information in brackets.

e.g. From my point of view it is very important to have a gap year before going to college.

My impression is that high education helps to achieve childhood ambitions.

SPEAKING: EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS IN COMPARISON

Look at the statements about the educational system in the UK. Choose the statements which are also true for your country. Using expressions from Language Skills 1 discuss the statements in pairs.

1) Education is compulsory until the age of 16.

2) Education in state schools is free until the age of 18.

3) Children start primary school at the age of four or five.

4) A small percentage of children (about seven per cent) go to private, fee-paying schools.

5) Most secondary schools are ‘comprehensive’ schools, that means that they take students of all abilities.

6) Children in primary and secondary schools take national tests to monitor their progress.

7) At the age of 16, students take important exams and then they can leave school.

8) Students who want to continue their studies can take advanced level exams two years later.

9) 30-40 per cent of young people go to college or university after school.

10) An undergraduate university course normally lasts three or four years, although for some subjects (e.g. medicine) it is much longer.