阅读理解
One of the strongest arguments for the raising of the school leaving age(ROSLA)has been that it will
bring us some way nearer to"equality of opportunity".
Many people like to think of our present system of schooling as providing plenty of steps up the
ladder of success for clever children. It would be good to think that no one who is really bright can be
missed out when the state system is obviously so complete. It is obvious, for instance, that many children
from less wealthy homes reach university or do well in other ways.
Unfortunately we now have plenty of proofs that many children of every level of ability do much less
well than they could. For instance, during the years of national military service it was possible to test the
intelligence(智力)of all male 18 - to - 20 - year - olds. Half of those soldiers who were placed in the two
highest ability groups had left school at 15.
It has also been shown that the percentage of working class children going to university is almost the
same now as it was in 1939. One study of 5,000 children from birth to 21 years old shows that up to half
the bright pupils from working class homes left school when they reached 16 years old. Moreover, there is no difference in intelligence between the sexes, but far more boys than girls stay in education after 16.
It is clear from this and many other proofs that many children are still leaving school too early to benefit from the prizes-money, social respectability, and interesting jobs-which higher education gives. It is clear
too that the reasons why such children leave have much to do with their social background. Their parents
often need the extra money another money-earner would bring in; they don't value education for itself
because their own was probably dull and unhappy. It is not so much that they force their sons and
daughters to leave school, rather that they tend to say, "it's up to you".
1. It is hoped that ROSLA will give all children .
A. a more enjoyable time at school
B. the same chances in society
C. the right to a better school
D. higher scores in intelligence tests
2. People would like to think that .
A. equal numbers of poor and wealthy children reach university
B. those with the least money get the best education
C. intelligent children are always selected by the system
D. only really clever children do well
3. Working class children are thought to be at a disadvantage because .
A. many of the clever ones leave school early
B. fewer go to university than ever before
C. more than half leave school when they are 16
D. fewer boys than girls stay at school after 16
4. Many children leave school early because .
A. their social background makes them unhappy
B. they have to give something to their family's income
C. their school is a dull and unhappy place
D. their parents don't allow them to make their own decisions
5. This article shows that equal opportunity in education .
A. is a thing of the past
B. has not yet been achieved
C. is there for those who deserve(值得拥有)it
D. has greatly improved our society