In Britain all children have to go to school between
the ages of 5 and 16. In the US children must go to school from the age of 6 to
between the ages of 14 and 16, depending on the state they live in.
Subject
In England and Wales the subjects taught in schools
are laid down by the National Curriculum, which was introduced in 1988 and sets
out in detail the subjects that children should study and the levels of
achievement they should reach by the ages of 7, 11, 14 and 16, when they are
tested. The National Curriculum does not apply to Scotland, where each school
decides what subjects it will teach.
In the US the subjects taught are decided by national
and local governments. Whereas British schools usually have prayers and
religious instruction, American schools are not allowed to include prayers or
to teach particular religious beliefs.
Examinations
At 16 students in England and Wales take General
certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations. These examinations are
taken by students of all levels of ability in all subjects and may involve a
final examination, an assessment, or both of these things. At 18 some students
take A-level examinations, usually in no more than three subjects. It is
necessary to have A levels in order to go to a university .
In Scotland students take the Scottish Certificate of
Education (SCE) examinations. A year later, they can take examinations called
HIGHS, after which they can either go straight to a university or spend a
further year at school and take the Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. In
Scotland the university system is different from that in England and Wales.
Courses usually last four years rather than three and students have to study a
larger number of subjects as part of their degree.
In the US school examinations are not as important as
they are in Britain. Students in High Schools do have exams at the end of their
last two years, but these final exams are considered along with the work that
the students have done during the school years.
Social Events and Ceremonies
In American high schools there is a formal ceremony
for graduation . Students wear a special cap and gown and receive a diploma
from the head of the school. Students often buy a class ring to ear, and a
yearbook, containing pictures of their friends and teachers. There are also
special social events at American schools. Sports events are popular, and cheer
leaders lead the school in supporting the school team and singing the school
song. At the end of their junior year, at age 17 or 18, students held in the
evening. The girls wear long evening dresses and the boys wear TUXEDOS.
In Britain, there are no formal dances or social
occasions associated with school life. Some schools have Speech Day at the end
of the school year when prizes are given to the best students and speeches are
made by the head teacher and sometimes an invited guest.
Title:___1.___in Britain and the US
In Britain In the US
Ages Students ___2.____school between the
ages of 5 and 16. Students go to school from the age of 6 to
between the ages of 14 and 16, which __3.___ in different states.
Subjects * The subjects are required by the National
Curriculum in England and Wales
* ___4.___in Scotland have the right to
determine the subjects to be taught *
Prayers or particular religious
beliefs are not ___5.___in
subjects.
* Subjects are decided by national and __6.__government
Exams * In England and Wales, one cannot go to
university ___7.___A levels.
* Exams in Scotland are different from __8. in
England and Wales *Exams are not so
important as they are in Britain.
*Students have exams at the end of their
last two years.
Social events and ceremonies * Schools have no formal dances or social
occasions related to school life.
* There is Speech Day in some schools, a
time for giving prizes and making speeches * A formal ceremony is held for students who ___9.___from
high school.
* Sporting events enjoy _ __10._with
students.