English unit 1 u.2

grade

After successfully completing the 12^th grade, students receive the high school diploma.

diploma

In the USA, the high school diploma is the basic requirement for entering college or university.

degree

My brother has a master’s degree from Harvard. (a bachelor’s degree)

She has a degree in psychology.

to attend

The cost of attending college or university in the US is generally quite high.

performance

Acceptance for higher education in the USA depends on high school performance.

pattern

In the USA there are three different patterns of school systems due to the federal structure of the country.

course

Students can choose from a wide range of ‘electives’, including practical courses like typing or auto mechanics.

interview

Their performance on an interview may decide which university they can go to.

class

We were in the same class at school.

She is the youngest in her class.

NOTE: the fourth grade (USA)

the sixth form (England)

I have a history class at nine o’clock.

grade

70% of pupils got grade C or above.

Sam is in (the) second grade.

mark

He was good at maths, but he got a poor mark in English.

to fail

She failed to get into art college.

She failed her driving test.

term

the spring term / summer term / autumn term

at the end of the term

to award

If they pass their exams, students are awarded a bachelor’s degree after three years of study.

test

It’s their first chance to put their English to the test.

Never say : to write a test !!

exam

to take / to sit an exam

to pass an exam OPP: to fail an exam

an exam paper

introduction

The introduction of compulsory military service was opposed by the majority.

assessment

Written and oral exams are two different forms of assessment.

independent

Students should aim to become more independent of their teachers.

*-practical

practical skills and theoretical knowledge

to increase

The company’s sales have increased enormously in the last few years.

to graduate

He graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in Computer Engineering.

staff

He only had a staff of one, so he didn’t have a high wage bill.

success

He sums up his success story like this:….

profit

In the first year he made a profit of only $ 11,000.

turnover

The company has a turnover of more than $ 11 m.

to rent

to rent a car / a flat / a house…

possibility

At university I saw the possibilities of a growing market in personal computers.

opportunity (n.)

I had the opportunity to spend a year in Paris when I was a student.opportunity (n.)

to develop

How has the firm’s turnover developed?

Our programmers worked in small teams and developed a lot of new ideas.

firm (n.)

At that time I was employed at a large electronics firm.

advert (n.)

I saw an advert in the local paper.

The bank put an advert in the newspaper.

advertising

Advertising cost me a lot.

income

I couldn’t live on the income from my work.

wage

More than 50 per cent of workers in the Netherlands are satisfied with their wages.

salary

The company offers attractive salaries and working conditions.

shop

I worked in a butcher’s shop / in a baker’s shop / in a photographer’s shop etc

pay (n.)

Even to buy the most basic food could cost a man three days’ pay.

to pay

The problem is that I have to pay back the money to the bank.

colleague

the Prime Minster and his Cabinet colleagues