The UK's education system is ranked（排列） sixth best in the developed world, according to a global league table published by education firm Pearson in October,2012.
The first and second places are taken by Finland and South Korea.The rankings combine international test results and data such as graduation rates between 2006 and 2010.
Sir Michael Barber, Pearson's chief education adviser, says successful countries give teachers a high status and have a "culture" of education.
International comparisons in education have become increasingly significant - and this latest league table is based upon a series of global test results combined with measures of education systems, such as how many people go on to university.
The two education superpowers - Finland and South Korea - are followed by three other high-performing Asian education systems - Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
The UK is then only ranked at the head of an above-average group including the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland.
These are ahead of a middle-ranking group including the United States, Germany and France. At the lowest end are Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia.
These comparisons draw upon tests that are taken every three or four years, in areas such as maths, science and literacy - and so present a picture lagging by several years.
Looking at education systems that succeed, the study concludes that spending is important, but not as much as having a culture that is supportive of learning.
It says that spending is easier to measure, but the more complex impact of a society's attitude to education can make a big difference.
The success of Asian countries in these rankings reflects the high value attached to education and the expectations of parents. This can continue to be a factor when families migrate to other countries, says the report.
Looking at the two top countries - Finland and South Korea - the report says that there are many big differences, but the common factor is a shared social belief in the importance of education and its "underlying moral purpose".
小题1:What’s the main idea of the passage?
A．The two different education superpowers
B．The result of one report about education system .
C．The UK's education system is worst.
D．Finland and South Korea’S education system小题2:According to Sir Michael Barber, Hong Kong’s education system is ranked in the world.
A．2nd
B．3rd
C．4th
D．5th小题3:All of the following statements is NOT true EXCEPT ________.
A．At the lowest end are Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia.
B．Education firm Pearson is disappointed at The UK's education system.
C．The United States’ education system is one of the best.
D．There are many big differences in Finland and South Korea.小题4:What does the underlined phrase “comparisons” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A．比较
B．结果
C．研究
D．考试小题5:What’s the common factor about the education system at the two top countries?
A. The shared social belief in the importance of education and its "underlying moral purpose".
B. The developed economy.
C The high value attached to education and the expectations of parents.
D. Having a culture that is supportive of learning.