children of all classes. The concept of universal primary education, regardless of sex, had been born, but it
was still in the realm of the single-sex school.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, co-education became a more widely applied principle of
educational philosophy. In Britain, Germany, and the Soviet Union the education of boys and girls in the
same classes became an accepted practice. Since World War II, Japan and the Scandinavian countries have
also adopted relatively universal co-educational systems. The greatest negative reaction to co-education has
been felt in the teaching systems of the Latin countries, where the sexes have usually been separated at both
primary and secondary levels, according to local conditions.
A number of studies have indicated that girls seem to perform better overall and in science in particular in
single-sex classes: during the adolescent years, pressure to conform to stereotypical female gender roles
may disadvantage girls in traditionally male subjects, making them reluctant to volunteer for experimental
work while taking part in lessons. In Britain, academic league tables point to high standards achieved in
girls' schools. Some educationalists therefore suggest segregation of the sexes as a good thing, particularly
in certain areas, and a number of schools are experimenting with the idea.
71. Ancient education generally focused its efforts on ____. 1
A. on male learners B. both sexes C. female learners D. young people only
72. Education in early times was mostly aimed at ____. 1
A. teaching skills B. learning to live
C. learning new lifestyles D. imparting survival skills
73. The first to support the equality of the sexes was ____. 2
A. the Chinese B. the Greek C. Plato D. the Jews
74: The word "informally" in this context mostly refers to an education occurring____. 3
A. in classrooms B. outside the school C. in a department D. ability
75: When education first reached women, they were ____. 4
A. locked up in a place with men B. isolated from normal life
C. deprived of opportunities D. separated from men
76: When the concept of universal primary education was introduced, education____. 4
A. was given free to all B. was intended for all the sexes
C. focused on imparting skills D. was intended to leave out female learners
77: The word "espouse" is contextually closest in meaning to "____". 4
A. to introduce B. to put off C. to give D. to induce
78: Co-ed was negatively responded to in ____. 3
A. Japan B. the Scandinavian countries
C. South American countries D. conservative countries
79: The word "tables" is closest in meaning to "____". 4
A. shapes B. meeting tables C. personalities D. figures
80: The word "segregation" may be understood as "____". 4
A. grouping B. mixture C. separation D. extraction
KEY TO PRACTICE 5QUESTION ANSWER QUESTION ANSWER QUESTION ANSWER QUESTION ANSWER
1 C 21 A 41 A 61 A
2 C 22 B 42 B 62 D
3 D 23 B 43 C 63 C
4 C 24 B 44 D 64 B
5 D 25 A 45 C 65 C
6 D 26 B 46 A 66 A
7 D 27 C 47 B 67 A
8 C 28 A 48 A 68 B
9 D 29 B 49 C 69 C
10 C 30 D 50 C 70 B
11 D 31 C 51 D 71 A
12 C 32 A 52 B 72 B