VII. Read the text and decide which answer (А, В, С or D) best completes each collocation or fixed phase.

A report on the notorious Fiveways School, visited recently by government (1) …, was published yesterday. The report (2) … inadequate strategic planning, poor (3)…of teaching, and semi-derelict building conditions as being largely to blame for the problems at Fiveways, the school branded 'the worst in Europe'. Our reporters entered the school by (4)…arrangement, and witnessed at (5)…hand the chaos that has heaped infamy on the school. On the day of their visit, our reporters learned that one disruptive pupil had been given a 3-week (6)…for punching a teacher in the face. Our reporters saw pupils virtually (7)… riot, throwing stones at passers-by and verbally (8)…a teacher.

1) A authorities В inspectors С controllers D examiners

2) A highlights В illuminates С features D activates

3) A measures В patterns С standards D specifications

4) A former В earlier С preceding D prior

5) A original В first С immediate D direct

6) A expulsion В caution С suspension D ban

7) A running В going С making D taking

8) A harming В abusing С damaging D oppressing

VIII. Complete the extracts from two school reports using the words below.

half-hearted, respect, mature, distracted, insolent, participated, contributes, applies, concentrate, effort

Report 1

Tracey has made a big (1)…this term, showing herself to be very (2)…for her age. She (3)…herself well and (4)…fully to class discussions. She shows a lot of (5)…towards her teachers.

Report 2

On one occasion Derek was sent home for being (1)…….to a teacher. In terms of effort, his work can sometimes be rather (2)….. He is easily (3)… and finds it hard to (4) …in class. Also he has not (5)…in group work as well as he should.

IX. Both options make sense. Underline the one which forms a common collocation.

a) In my country we have to do nine basic/core subjects and then we can choose several others.

b) At this school we put a strong emphasis on acade­mic/scholarly achievement.

c) In my country bodily/corporal punishment was abo­lished 40 years ago.

d) In my class we had a helper/support teacher who assisted pupils with learning difficulties.

e) On Friday afternoons we had lessons with the trainee / apprentice teacher.

f) In my country we have some end of year tests but most of our marks come from progressive/continuous asses­sment.

g) At 16 we have the choice of doing more vocation / em­ploy­ment oriented courses, such as business studies and accounting.

h) When I was 15, I had a 2-week work position/placement with a local factory.

i) There were a number of teenage/child mothers in my class.

j) I was expelled from school for playing/going truant too many times.