Question

C

Chinese students have tended to come to the UK at a younger age in recent years, which means they come to Britain not only for higher education, but also for high school or even primary school. Asian investors（投资者） have followed this trend, and started to buy independent schools to serve this demand.

An article carried by the Times of London on October 17 reported that last year Chinese-owned company Achieve Education bought Chase Grammar, a boarding and day school in Cannock, Staffordshire. Chase Grammar includes a program that offers extra support for pupils from China. “ This trend is very good and I am not at all surprised,” Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, told the Global Times, adding that Chinese people like the English education system. “ We welcome Chinese investors in British private education.” “Chase Grammar School is small, and the classes are small. It gives the school a family atmosphere,” Jackie Medhurst, principal of Chase Grammar School, said in a welcome note on the school’s website.

Small class sizes, personal care, good exam result, and entry to world famous universities are features that are most attractive to Chinese students. But many parents are also worried that foreign investors might expand the proportion of international students, and that might undermine the British tradition.

It seems that Chase Grammar does not intend to hide their attempts to attract Chinese families. It has set up a China office in Shanghai to facilitate Chinese parents’ communication with the school. Tong Zhou, a director of Chase Grammar, told the media that the school does not intent to change the ratio of local students and international students.

Some international branches of British boarding schools are very popular in Asia. In recent years, the Chinese passion for the British boarding school system has led some of the best-known schools such as Harrow and Wellington to set up satellite schools in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. And the trend continues.

It seems that the rising wealthy class in Asia is not satisfied with international branches in their own countries. They want to send their kids to the original British boarding schools to be surrounded by English people and immersed in the British culture. To support their children studying in the UK, Chinese parents are buying houses in Britain. According to a survey by UK Property Weekly, houses near universities and outstanding primary and secondary schools are the most preferable location for Chinese buyers.

Compared to the independent school system, universities are more open. It is reported that China remains the leading source of international students for London.

1.Which of the following can we know from Barnaby Lenon’s words?

A. He was surprised at the present current trend.

B. English universities are better than those in China.

C. The English education system is welcomed by the Chinese.

D. There will be fewer investors in private education.

2. Which of the following is NOT among the attractions of the British schools?

A. The small size of classes.

B. The entry to world-famous universities.

C. Good exam results.

D. Good living conditions.

3.The underlined word “ undermine” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to “______”.

A. weaken B. strengthen C. follow D. overcome

4. Chinese parents are buying houses in order to ______.

A. invest more money

B. support their children’s education

C. show off their ability

D. compete with other parents

Answer 1