阅读理解。
One of the strongest arguments for the raising of the school leaving age (ROSLA) has been
that it will bring us some way nearer to "equality of opportunity".
Many people like to think of our present system of schooling as providing plenty of steps up
the ladder of success for clever children. It wouldn't be good to think that no one who is really
bright can be missed out when the state system is obviously so complete. It is obvious, for instance,
that many children from less wealthy homes reach university or do well in other ways.
Unfortunately, we now have plenty of proofs that many children of every level of ability do
much less well than they could. For instance, during the years of national military service it was
possible to test the intelligence of all male 18-to-20-year-old. Half of those soldiers who were
placed in the two highest ability groups had left school at 15.
It has also been shown that the percentage of working class children going to university is
almost the same now as it was in 1939. One study of 5000 children from birth to 21 years old
shows that up to half the bright pupils from working class homes left school when they reached
16 years old. Moreover, there is no difference in intelligence between the sexes, but far more
boys than girls stay in education after 16.
It is clear from this and many other proofs that many children are still leaving school too early
to benefit from the prizes money, social respectability, and interesting jobs which higher
education gives. It is clear too that the reasons why such children leave have much to do with
their social background. Their parents often need the extra money another money-earner would
bring in; they don't value education for itself because their own was probably dull and unhappy.
It is not so much that they force their sons and daughters to leave school, rather than they tend
to say, "It's up to you."
1. It is hoped that ROSLA will give all children ______.
A. a more enjoyable time at school
B. the same chances in society
C. the right to a better school
D. higher scores in intelligence tests
2. People would like to think that ______.
A. equal numbers of poor and wealthy children reach university
B. those with the least money get the best education
C. intelligent children are always selected by the system
D. only really clever children do well
3. Working class children are thought to be at a disadvantage because ______.
A. many of the clever ones leave school early
B. fewer go to university than ever before
C. more than half leave school when they are 16
D. fewer boys than girls stay at school after 16
4. Many children leave school early because ______.
A. their social background makes them unhappy
B. they have to give something to their family' s income
C. their school is a dull and unhappy place
D. their parents don't allow them to make their own decisions
5. This article shows that equal opportunity in education ______.
A. is a thing of the past
B. has not yet been achieved
C. is there for those who deserve it
D. has greatly improved our society
