THE BREADTH OF SUBJECTS STUDIED (1) A UK university education focuses on depth, not breadth. Subjects go into such depth that it would not be unusual for a biology student to spend an entire term studying nothing but the life cycle of a specific type of butterfly.
(2) While students can choose to study two subjects, most will choose to study only one – say, Biology. In the first year (or “freshman year”, in US terms) this will cover pretty much everything under the umbrella of Biology. But by the second year students have to choose among a range of topics within Biology. And by the third year this will be narrowed down to the point of something approaching a specialism – say, Zoology, or Genetics.
(3) Our hypothetical Biology student might share a module or two with Chemistry or Maths students, but they will not be expected to study anything else, not even something as generalized as writing skills. And some students do not know which subject they would like to study ahead of going to university. So they either have to take a year out in order to make up their mind. Or they should take a chance on a subject they are unsure about and hope the university will allow them to transfer if it turns out there is a different subject they might like better.
(4) In the USA, however, while it is possible to start out by choosing just one subject (or major), it is as usual to enter university on a much more general course, such as a liberal arts degree. To someone used to the British education system, the topics covered on a liberal arts degree seem impossibly broad, including arts, languages, literature, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and philosophy. British students typically stop covering such a broad range of subjects at the age of 16. Even in a single-subject degree, students in the USA may be required to take some courses from outside their major for breadth, which is very seldom required in British universities, and then only to encourage students to learn a foreign language.
7. Выпишите из текста по 3 словосочетания с существительными, употребленными с определенным и неопределенным артиклем, переведите их на русский язык.
8. Перепишите следующие вопросы и дайте письменные ответы. Переведите предложения на русский язык.
Does a UK university education focus on depth or on breadth?
Why do students take a year break before going to university?
Where is it possible to choose just one subject?
What subjects does a liberal arts degree include?
arbara: my younger sister suzy has birthday today. i would like to arrange something interesting for her.
michael: for example? do you want to buy something interesting or to sing an unknown song?
barbara: the song i am going to sing together with my sister is well-known. it is «happy birthday to you…». and what about presents – i don`t know what to buy.
michael: how old will be your sister?
barbara: she will be nineteen.
michael: what is she fond of? many young people are fond of pop-music, gadgets, etc.
barbara: she likes different romantic things: candles, romantic stories, flowers, etc.
michael: then everything is very easy. you buy beautiful flowers, some incense sticks and the latest much talked-of love story. she has to be happy.
barbara: are you sure?
michael: sure, i know women very well.