Підручник Англійська мова 7 клас (8-й рік навчання) - Алла Несвіт - Генеза 2016 рік

UNIT 2 School Life

Lessons 10-11. School in the News

1. Look at the photos. Say why you think these students have become successful. What made them struggle for the best results?

2. Read the newspaper article and say what the students in some American schools are paid for.

Should Students Get Paid for Good Grades¹?

Nowadays schools in the USA struggle to find ways to motivate students to stay in school and prepare for standardized tests better. More administrators are considering rewards, including cash for the best students. Several New York City schools are offering cash prizes based on attendance records and standardized test scores. Fewer than 10,000 students are in the city’s pilot programme. If the results are positive, the others may follow it.

Some educators think that such programmes are quite good. Schools in states like Massachusetts and Texas already reward children for perfect attendance, or for reading a certain number of books.

Critics, however, say that such programmes will lead to higher test scores among at-risk students. They say that students should learn not only because of money they are paid. They should study for the sake of knowledge as well. Unless they have the motivation to focus and sit through the entire course, they learn nothing.

¹ Grades (AmE) = marks (BrE).

3. Read and tick the statements T (True) or F (False).

____ 1. Schools in the USA struggle to find ways to motivate students to stay in school and prepare for standardized tests better.

____ 2. More administrators are against cash rewards for the best students in class.

____ 3. Only students in high school can get paid for their attendance records and standardized test scores.

____ 4. Fewer than 10,000 students are in the city’s pilot programme.

____ 5. Educators think that such programmes ought to be given a chance.

____ 6. Critics, however, say that money mustn’t motivate the students to study better at school.

4. Work in small groups. Discuss the questions.

1. Does your school reward students for the achievements in their studies?

2. Who can become a top student?

3. What can motivate students to study better?

Grammar Lab: Sentences with the Conjunctions If… and Unless…

We use the conjunction If… in a compound sentences to talk about two possibilities.

You have to observe some punctuation rules.

1. Start with If and use a comma (,).

If the results are positive, the others may imitate it.

2. Put If between the two parts of the sentence. Don’t use a comma then. The others may follow it if the results are positive.

We use the conjunction Unless to mean ’If… not’. We use positive form of a verb in this part of a sentence.

You can’t get a cash prize unless you get good results in your tests.

(= You can’t get a cash prize if you don’t get good test results.)

5. Use If to put the sentences together in two ways.

Example:

Mike works hard at his homework. He probably has the best test results in class.

If Mike works hard at his homework, he probably has the best test results in class.

Mike probably has the best test results if he works hard at his homework.

1. He trains a lot. He can win the school running competition.

2. I can’t solve this problem. I can ask my teacher for help.

3. You look tired. Why don’t you have a rest?

4. Our class wins the school basketball competition. We get a prize.

5. They are good students. They keep the school rules.

6. Ann is a monitor in our class. She gets higher test scores.

6. Rewrite the sentences using the conjunction Unless.

Example:

Children can’t be rewarded if they don’t follow school rules. - Unless children follow school rules they can’t be rewarded with a cash prize.

1. You can’t hear all the teacher’s explanation if you don’t come on time for the lesson.

2. If you aren’t ready for the lesson, you can’t answer the teacher’s questions well.

3. You aren’t the best student in class if you sometimes don’t wear a school uniform.

4. If she doesn’t pass her exam, her parents can’t be happy.

5. My father doesn’t drive me to school in his car except if I’m really late.

6. We usually go to the cinema on Sundays if we aren’t busy with our homework.

7. Choose the correct item to complete the dialogues.

1. A: Dad, if / unless you help me with my homework, I’ll never pass / I’ll pass the test.

B: OK, I can / I’ll come in a minute.

2. A: As long as / Unless you work out regularly, you won’t have better results.

B: I know but with my busy schedule, it’s hard to find the time.

3. A: Can I have some friends over tonight?

B: Yes. Only if / Unless you finish / will finish all your chores first.

4. A: Would you like to go to the debate club, Sue?

B: I’d love to if / unless they discuss / will discuss my favourite topic.

8. Write a letter to a newspaper. Present your point of view on the article of Ex. 2 on p. 54. Use the questions below and the sentences with If or Unless.

• Do you think students need the promise of rewards to get good grades?

• What’s your major reason for studying better? Do your parents reward you for high test scores?

• Does the school reward you? What do you think can make a difference in how you approach schoolwork?