EPISODE 78
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

 

READING COMPREHENSION 

HIGHER EDUCATION

 

„I have just graduated from university ( = finished) and I have graduated in chemistry ( = I am a qualified chemist now). I am a graduate of Warsaw University ( = I finished Warsaw University). I know it’s not easy to get a university degree in chemistry (= it’s not easy to become a chemist), but I like science courses ( = lessons to do with maths, physics, chemistry). I got a higher degree (= you get it when you study for five years). I think I will stay at university to do research (= I will work at university to do a detailed study of a subject). I have always wanted to do that”

 

More contexts for the new words: 

  • He got a bachelor’s degree last year. (= a degree you get when you study for three years) 
  • She is doing some research on cancer. (= She is trying to find out as much as possible about cancer.) 
  • I had very good dinner last night, the main course was really delicious. (= the most important part of this dinner: potatoes, meat and some salad, was really good) 
  • I got a master’s degree last year. (= I got a higher degree last year) 

 

EXERCISE 1 

Complete each gap with one word.

 

  1. I have always wanted to ………………………. research at university.
  2. She got a university degree ………………………. history.
  3. Mark is a graduate ………………………. Cambridge University.
  4. Susan is going to graduate ………………………. university next year.
  5. After five years of studies, I graduated ………………………. physics.
  6. Phil is good at ………………………. courses: maths, physics, chemistry, etc.

 

EXERCISE 2 

Add the missing vowels (a, e, I, o, u) and then answer the questions.

 

  1. What subject did you ………………………. GRDT in?
  2. Would you ever like to do ………………………. RSRCH? Why? / Why not?
  3. Do you prefer to study humanities or ………………………. SCNC? Why?

 

 

ENGLISH IN USE  

 

When you say „I have always wanted to do that„, you think about your whole life. When you talk about your whole life and you don’t say when something happened, it’s a good idea to use present perfect. And some more examples to look at:

I have always wanted to become an actor.
I have never been to London.
I have visited Krakow many times in my life.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP 

 

A/ What do you think is the main difference between secondary and higher education?

B/ At the university the professors do not CALL THE ROLL!

 

When the teacher calls the roll, they read the official list of names and expect the students to answer if they are present.

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

  1. When you JOT something DOWN, you write it down so that you can remember it later.

Jotting down vital information will really help your memory.
He jotted down my name on a piece of paper.

 

  1. When you FIGURE something OUT, you are able to understand something or to solve a problem.

I couldn’t figure out what the lecturer was talking about.
I can’t figure out where I’ve put the keys. Do you remember?

 

EXERCISE 3 

Match the conversation halves.

 

  1. We had to figure out              a. so that you don’t forget.
  2. When the class starts            b. the teacher calls the roll.
  3. Jot down the dates                c. the connection between the two facts.

 

 

NEWS

  

UNIVERSITY SHUT DOWN

Another private university in Warsaw has just announced that it is forced to cease operating. That gives us a total of seven institutions of higher education which have shut down this year – only in the capital. Experts say that the setback is due to demographic trends – the baby boom crowds have already exited education age, and now the schools are facing a demographic low. Another problem is connected with the dubious quality of education offered by these private institutions. Some say that the universities wouldn’t have to shut down if they offered high quality teaching, and not just an easy degree. 

 

GLOSSARY 

cease – stop

setback – problematic situation

dubious – doubtful

 

download lesson (pdf)

>>Answers

KEY TO EXERCISES  

Ex.1

  1. do
  2. in
  3. of
  4. from
  5. in
  6. science

 

Ex.2

  1. graduate
  2. research
  3. science

 

Ex.3 

  1. c
  2. b
  3. a

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