Dịch:

Veronica: ... I’ve been choosing my school subjects for next year. I’ve decided to take a vocational GCSE* along with some traditional academic subjects.

Nhi: A vocational GCSE? What’s that?

Veronica: Well, GCSEs are secondary certifi cates of education which are studied by students aged between 14 to 16. In vocational subjects, students can study a work sector like applied business, design, health, or tourism.

Nhi: Isn’t it hard to study both academic and vocational subjects at the same time? And isn’t it too soon to be doing vocational training?

Veronica: Well, no… they off er an applied approach to learning so it’s not too diffi  cult or too soon. I think it adds variety.

Nhi: Oh, I see! What area are you interested in?

Veronica: Leisure and Tourism.

Nhi: So, what job opportunities are there in tourism?

Veronica: A lot. You can work as a housekeeper, receptionist, tour guide, lodging manager, chef, or event planner. You can also work in customer service…

Nhi: Sounds interesting! What if you change your mind later?

Veronica: No worries. I can still progress to further education to take A levels*. With A levels, I can go to college or university. What about you?

Nhi: My dad is encouraging me to choose biology, chemistry, and physics.

Veronica: Wow! To become a doctor?

Nhi: Yeah, we’ve discussed becoming a doctor, but I may also become a biologist.

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the following sentences.

   In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests. [assessment: đánh giá]

   Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

   At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) level or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ.

   Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to university, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

   AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half of the content: AS level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

   GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take on GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design. One GVNQ (at advanced level) is equal to two A levels.

Pupils normally study for their GCSE between the ages of_______.

A. 12 and 14

B. 14 and 16

C. 15 and 17

D. 16 and 18

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the following sentences.

   In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests. [assessment: đánh giá]

   Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

   At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) level or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ.

   Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to university, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

   AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half of the content: AS level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

   GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take on GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design. One GVNQ (at advanced level) is equal to two A levels.

4. Which of the following subjects do pupils NOT take on GNVQ in?

A. German Literature

B. Business

C. Art and Design

D. Manufacturing

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the following sentences.

   In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests. [assessment: đánh giá]

   Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

   At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) level or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ.

   Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to university, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

   AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half of the content: AS level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

   GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take on GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design. One GVNQ (at advanced level) is equal to two A levels.

2. Which of the following subjects do British students NOT take exams in?

A. Science

B. Physical Education

C. Maths

D. English Language

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the following sentences.

   In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests. [assessment: đánh giá]

   Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

   At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) level or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ.

   Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to university, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

   AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half of the content: AS level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

   GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take on GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design. One GVNQ (at advanced level) is equal to two A levels.

3. Pupils need_______A levels to continue to study at university.

A. one or two

B. two or three

C. four or five

D. five or six

Choose the item (A, B, C or D) that best completes each of the following sentences.

   In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests. [assessment: đánh giá]

   Between the ages of 14 and 16, pupils study for their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English Language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a foreign language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

   At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) level or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is quite common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ.

   Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to university, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

   AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half of the content: AS level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

   GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take on GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design. One GVNQ (at advanced level) is equal to two A levels.

1. Britain began to have a National Curriculum_______

A. one hundred years ago

B. in the nineteenth century

C. in 1898

D. in 1988

Put one word in the box into each blank to complete the conversation.

Veronica: ...I’ve been choosing my school subjects for next year. I’ve decided to take a vocational GCSE* along with some traditional (41) ……………………subjects.

Nhi:  A vocational GCSE? What’s that?

Veronica:  Well, GCSEs are secondary (42) ………………………of education which are studied by students (43) ………………………between 14 to 16. In vocational subjects, students can study a work (44) ………………………like applied business, design, health, or tourism.

Nhi:  Isn’t it hard to study both academic and vocational subjects at the same time? And isn’t it too soon to be doing (45) ………………………training?

Veronica:  Well, no... they offer an applied (46) ………………………to learning so it’s not too difficult or too soon. I think it adds variety.

Nhi:  Oh, I see! What area are you interested in?

Veronica:  Leisure and Tourism.

Nhi:  So, what job (47) ………………………are there in tourism?

Veronica:  A lot. You can work as a housekeeper, receptionist, tour guide, lodging manager, chef, or (48) ………………………. You can also work in customer service...

Nhi:  Sounds interesting! What if you change your mind later?

Veronica:  No worries. I can still (49) ………………………to further education to take A level*. With A levels, I can go to college or university. What about you?

Nhi:  My dad is encouraging me to choose biology, chemistry, and physics.

Veronica:  Wow! To become a doctor?

Nhi:  Yeah, we’ve discussed becoming a doctor, but I may also become a (50) ……………………….

           GCSE* (UK): General Certificate of Secondary Education

                  A level*: Advanced level

When the school year was coming to an end, some of old students began discussing their future.

Peter decided to go to a vocational school and got secondary education at the same time. Mary didn't know what to do. She was afraid she would not be able to learn a trade and do all the tenth-from subjects at a secondary vocational school wasn't too difficult. His brother Jim was a student at one of vocational school and he had time even for sports and games.

1.When did the students begin discussing their future?

2. Why didn't Mary reach a cler decision ?

3. Write four of the subjects you've learnt in ninth-form.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 30 to 34. Fill in the appropriate word in question 34

The General Certificate of Secondary Education or the GCSE examinations for (30) _____ are the standard school-leaver qualifications taken by virtually all UK students in the May and June following their 16th birthday. If you come to a UK independent school before (31) _____ the age of 16, you will study towards GCSE examinations in up to 12 subjects. Some subjects are compulsory, including English arid mathematics, and you can select (32) _____, such as music, drama, geography and history from a series of options. GCSEs provide a good all-round education that you can build on at college and eventually at university.

AS- and A-levels are taken after GCSEs. They are the UK qualifications most(33) _____  accepted for entry to university and are available in subjects from the humanities, arts, sciences and social sciences as well as in vocational subjects such (34) _____  engineering, and leisure and tourism. You can study up to four subjects at the same time for two years.

A. for

B. as

C. like

D. so