Culture
In the UK, 93% of children go to state schools, which are funded by the government. The remaining 7% go to private schools, which the government does not fund or control. The students pay fees to attend these schools. A small group of very old private schools are, confusingly, known as ‘public schools’. These include Eton College, which has educated nineteen British Prime Ministers over the past three centuries — as well as many other famous people from around the world, including Prince William and Prince Harry, actor Hugh Laurie and the former king of Nepal.
To many people, these public schools seem very odd and old-fashioned, with their strange uniforms and confusing traditions. For example, all of the public schools divide the academic year into three terms. At Eton College, these are called ‘halves’, but at Charterhouse they're called ‘quarters’ (and the shortest of the three is known as the ‘long quarter’).
Although private schools seem irrelevant to most British people, the influence they have on society is very real. That is because a very large number of people in important positions attended these schools, including 71% of senior judges and 62% of senior officers in the armed forces. Some people even argue that the UK parliament does not represent the country because 32% of MPs are privately educated.
1. SPEAKING Describe the photo, which shows children having breakfast at a ‘public school’ in England. How is it different from the canteen at your school? Would you like to eat here? Why? / Why not?
(Mô tả bức ảnh chụp những đứa trẻ đang ăn sáng tại một ‘trường công lập’ ở Anh. Nó khác với căng tin ở trường của bạn như thế nào? Bạn có muốn ăn ở đây không? Tại sao? / Tại sao không?)
Bài Làm:
The photo shows a group of students wearing uniforms, having breakfast in a canteen in a public school in England. The canteen appears to be a large, open space with tables and chairs arranged in rows. The students are seated in groups and seem to be enjoying their meals.
The canteen at my school is likely to be different from the one in the photo. It might be smaller in size and less spacious, with fewer tables and chairs. Additionally, the menu at my school's canteen might offer different food options.
Whether I would like to eat in the canteen shown in the photo would depend on the food options available and my personal preferences. However, based on the appearance of the canteen and the fact that the students seem to be enjoying their breakfast, I would be inclined to try it out.