Question

The Scottish education system has always been different from the rest of the United Kingdom, with a characteristic emphasis on a broad education. Scotland's schools operate a Curriculum(课程) for Excellence which provides knowledge and skills to all nursery, primary and secondary schooling between the ages of 3 - 18. All 3- and 4-year-old children in Scotland have access to a free nursery place. Formal primary education begins at approximately 5 years old and lasts for 7 years. During their secondary education, children in Scotland study Standard Grades, or Intermediate(中级的) qualifications between the ages of 13 and 16 . The school leaving age is 16, after which students may choose to remain at school for one or two years to study for Higher Grade or Advanced Higher qualifications. Then they can have further education by attending colleges or universities.

There are fifteen Scottish universities, some of which are among the oldest in the world. These include the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh—many of which are ranked among the best in the UK. Proportionally, Scotland had more universities in QS' World University Rankings' top 100 in 2012 than any other nation. Also, the country produced 1% of the world's published research with less than 0.1% of the world's population. Scotland’s University Courts are the only bodies in Scotland authorized to award degrees.

Besides Scotland's universities, Further and Higher Education is provided by 43 colleges as well. Colleges offer National Certificates, Higher National Certificates, and Higher National Diplomas. These Group Awards, alongside Scottish Vocational（职业的） Qualifications, aim to ensure Scotland's population has the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet workplace needs. In 2014, research reported by the Office for National Statistics found that Scotland was the most highly educated country in Europe and among the most well-educated in the world in terms of higher education attainment.

1.What do we know about Scottish education?

A. Students can go to university directly after finishing Standard Grades.

B. Students of all ages receive free education.

C. A university student is at least 17 years old.

D. Only knowledge is taught at schools.

2.The underlined word “proportionally” in Paragraph 2 probably means  ________.

A. Considering Scotland’s population    B. regardless of Scotland’s history

C. in terms of the number of universities    D. despite its education system

3.Scottish college awards and vocational qualifications serve to ________.

A. improve the employment    B. award the students with degrees

C. prepare the workforce with proper skills    D. compete with universities home and abroad

4.The purpose of the text is to ________.

A. compare    B. introduce

C. advertise    D. persuade

Answer

1. C

2. A

3. C

4. B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了苏格兰的教育体系的具体信息，包括该国的幼儿教育、初级教育、高等教育以及技术类教育等内容。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段倒数第二句“The school leaving age is 16, after which students may choose to remain at school for one or two years to study for Higher Grade or Advanced Higher qualifications.”可知苏格兰的学生在16岁中学毕业，毕业以后可以留在学校里继续学习1-2年以后再读大学。也就是说苏格兰的大学生至少17岁。故C项正确。

2.猜测词义题。根据划线词后句“Scotland had more universities in QS' World University Rankings' top 100 in 2012 than any other nation.”可知在2012年世界排名前100所大学里苏格兰的大学数理是最多的，主要是苏格兰的人口较少，按照人口比例来说苏格兰优秀大学最多。后一句“Also, the country produced 1% of the world's published research with less than 0.1% of the world's population.”所列举的数字也在强调苏格兰人口较少的问题。所以该词 “Considering Scotland’s population” 意为“考虑到人口”，故A项正确。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段第二句“These Group Awards, alongside Scottish Vocational（职业的） Qualifications, aim to ensure Scotland's population has the appropriate skills and knowledge to meet workplace needs.”可知苏格兰的大学提供职业资格培训，主要是为了让苏格兰人掌握适合的技能满足工作的需要。故C项正确。

4.主旨大意题。本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了苏格兰的教育体系的具体信息，包括该国的幼儿教育、初级教育、高等教育以及技术类教育等内容。其目的是介绍告知，而不是比较、说服和宣传。故B项正确。