This document provides sample questions, answers and vocabulary related to education. It includes 6 sample questions about different education topics, such as free public education, how well schools prepare students, and pressure on students. It then gives a list of useful vocabulary words for discussing schools, university, and linking expressions. An example answer is provided that discusses free state education in the respondent's country.

1. Education
Part 2 – sample question
Describe a teacher that had a positive influence on you.
You should say:
- what subject this teacher taught
- how long he/she was your teacher
- what positive attributes this teacher had
and explain why you remember this teacher in particular.
Part 3 – sample questions
1. Is there a system of free state education in your country?
2. Do you think school and university prepares young people adequately
for real life?
3. Do you think there is too much pressure on young people at school
these days?
4. Do you agree that there is too much emphasis on formal testing?
5. Have there been significant changes in schooling methods in your
country in recent years?
6. Do you think schools provide enough careers advice to young people?
Useful Vocabulary
School
- nursery / primary / secondary schools / education
- state school / private school
- boarding school
- all girls / all boys school
- to go to / attend school
- the curriculum
- extra-curricular activities
- school trips
- to sit / do / take an exam
- to resit / retake an exam
- to revise (for an exam)
- to pass / to fail an exam
- to get exam results
- to get qualifications / to be qualified
- to leave school / a school-leaver
- to drop out of school / to be a dropout

2. - to study for [a qualification / an exam]
- to be academic / to be an all-rounder
University
- tertiary / higher education
- colleges of higher education / technical colleges / universities
- to apply for a course
- to get an (un)conditional offer
- to do a course in [subject]
- halls of residence / student accommodation
- student union / student body
- an undergraduate
- a graduation ceremony
- to get a university degree / a Masters / a Doctorate (Phd)
- to graduate from university / to graduate in [subject]
- a university graduate
- a postgraduate student / course
- to do a postgraduate course / a Masters / a PhD (Doctorate)
- to be a qualified [job title]
- to qualify in [subject]
- to take a gap year
- to drop out of university
Useful Linking Expressions
Introducing a contrast
However, …
Nevertheless, …
On the one hand …. but on the other hand …
Although …
Despite …
But, …
Sample Answer
Qu.1 Is there a system of free state education in your country?
In my country there is a state education system offering free education for
children from 3-18, although parents still have to pay for food, materials,
school trips and other extra-curricular activities. This is only one part of the
system, however, because there are also private schools and semi-private
schools, which are partly funded by the state. So on the one hand it appears
that we do have free state education, but in actual fact it isn’t available to
everyone because places are limited.