Arakin 4 kurs new 001 176. indd

4. As you have probably noticed there are quite a few shortened words among 
the higher education terms. Decipher the words below and translate them into 
Russian
ACT; SAT; TOEFL; GPA; grades: A. B. C. D. E. F.; grad; A-student; 
TA; A.A.; B.A.; B.S.; M.A.; M.D.; M.S.; M.B.A.; Ph.D.
5. Read the following text on student life and fill in the gaps with the words 
from the box
highly motivated
grant
off campus
part-time jobs
attend
hall of residence
part-time basis
full-time
housemates
tuition fees
on campus 
for good
government support
loan
financial aid package
room and board
home town
(A)
The popular image of student life is of young people with few re-
sponsibilities enjoying themselves and doing very little work. This is 
often not true. Many older people now study at college or university, 
sometimes on a (1) ………………… while having a job and looking after 
a family. These students are often (2) ……………… and work very 
hard.
Younger students are often thought to be lazy and careless with 
money but this situation is changing. In Britain reduced (3) …………… 
for higher education means that students can no longer rely on hav-
ing their expenses paid for them. Formerly, students received a (4) 
……………. towards their living expenses. Now most can only get a (5) 
……………. which has to be paid back. From 1999 they will also have to 
pay 1000 pounds towards (6) ………………… 

---

11
In the US students already have to pay for tuition and (7) 
…………………. . Many get a (8) ……………………… which may include grants, 
scholarships and loans. The fear of having large debts places consider-
able pressure on students and many take (9) …………………… during the 
term and work (10) ……………. in the vacations.
Many students in Britain go to a university away from their (11) 
………………. They usually live in a (12) ……………….. for their first year, 
and then move into digs (=a rented room in a private house) or share 
a house with other students. They may go back home during the 
vacations, but after they graduate most leave home (13) ……………… In 
the US too, many students (14) …………… colleges some distance from 
where their parents live. They may live (15) ……………….. in one of the 
dorms (=halls) or (16) ………………. in apartments and houses which 
they share with (17) …………….. 
political correctness
fraternity
alumni
skip
social activities
sorority
grades
cut
student’s union
incompletes
drop out
degree
(B)
Some students, especially at larger universities, join a (18) …………….
or (19) ………………. a social group usually with its own house near the 
campus. These students’ organizations often have names which are 
combinations of two or three letters of the Greek alphabet. Some 
people do not have a good opinion of them because they think that 
students who are members spend too much time having parties. Many 
US colleges and universities encourage an atmosphere of (20) 
………………… to try to help students get on together. In Britain the 
interests of students are represented by a (21) …………………. which 
discusses various academic matters with the university, arranges 
social events and provides advice to students.
Especially in their first year US students spend a lot of time on 
(22) ……………… One of the most important celebrations, especially at 
universities which place a lot of emphasis on sports, is homecoming. 
Many (23) ……………… return to their alma mater for a weekend in the 
autumn to watch a football game. During homecoming weekend there 
are also parties and dances, and usually a parade.

---

12
When social activities take up too much time, students (24) ………….
lectures or (25) ……….. (AmE) class and take (26) ……………….. (AmE) 
, which means they have to finish their work after the vacation. In 
the US this has the effect of lowering their course (27) …………., but 
most US universities expect this behaviour from students and do 
little to stop it. Students are thought to be old enough to make their 
own decisions about how hard they work and to accept the conse-
quences. A few students (28) ……………. (Am E flunk out) but the 
majority try hard to get good grades and a good (29) ……………….