In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five, but before that age children can go to a nursery school, also called play school. School is compulsory till the children are 16 years old. In Primary School and First School children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic. In the higher classes of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the Secondary School. When students are 16 years old they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have a qualification. These qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or "O level" (Ordinary level). After that students can either leave school and start working or continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are 18, they have to take further examinations which are necessary for getting into university or college. Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities. In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which teaches via TV and radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education. The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.
A: This is the nice restaurant. What's the food like? B: Well, I came here last month with Jeremy and some food was very good. A: Oh good. Ah, here's the waiter. W: Good evening. Would you like to order? A: Yes, please. Have you got any fresh fish tonight? W: Yes, we've got some very good fish. The fishermen brought them in this morning. A: Ah, good. Well, I'd like some fish, please. W: And would you like the vegetables with your fish? A: Yes, please. W: And what about a starter? There's some very good vegetable soup and the delicious fish soup. A: No, thank you. I don't want any soup. W: And would you like the drink? A: Yes, I'd like a glass of fruit juice before the meal, please. And then can we have some mineral water with the meal? W: Yes, of course. And for you madam? B: Well, I don't want the starter but I'll have a glass of fruit juice too and then I'll have some spaghetti with tomato souse. W: Fine. Anything else? B: Oh yes, please. I'd like a bowl of salad. W: Yes, certainly. And would you like some bread? B: Yes, please. And is there any butter with the bread? W: Yes, there is. So is that all for now? A: Yes. I just have one question. Where's a toilet, please? W: Over there on your right. A: Thanks.
In Primary School and First School children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic. In the higher classes of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the Secondary School.
When students are 16 years old they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have a qualification. These qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or "O level" (Ordinary level). After that students can either leave school and start working or continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are 18, they have to take further examinations which are necessary for getting into university or college.
Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities.
In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which teaches via TV and radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education. The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.
B: Well, I came here last month with Jeremy and some food was very good.
A: Oh good. Ah, here's the waiter.
W: Good evening. Would you like to order?
A: Yes, please. Have you got any fresh fish tonight?
W: Yes, we've got some very good fish. The fishermen brought them in this morning.
A: Ah, good. Well, I'd like some fish, please.
W: And would you like the vegetables with your fish?
A: Yes, please.
W: And what about a starter? There's some very good vegetable soup and the delicious fish soup.
A: No, thank you. I don't want any soup.
W: And would you like the drink?
A: Yes, I'd like a glass of fruit juice before the meal, please. And then can we have some mineral water with the meal?
W: Yes, of course. And for you madam?
B: Well, I don't want the starter but I'll have a glass of fruit juice too and then I'll have some spaghetti with tomato souse.
W: Fine. Anything else?
B: Oh yes, please. I'd like a bowl of salad.
W: Yes, certainly. And would you like some bread?
B: Yes, please. And is there any butter with the bread?
W: Yes, there is. So is that all for now?
A: Yes. I just have one question. Where's a toilet, please?
W: Over there on your right.
A: Thanks.