Teen Talk Magazine has recently interviewed Dr Ha, a sociologist at a local university. Here is what he shared with us.

Dr Ha, what do you think about education for adults?

According to UNESCO's Institute of Statistics, there are about 770 million illiterate adults globally. And even many more don't have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21^st century. It's true that more and more people are participating in adult education in some places, however, learning opportunities are still beyond the reach of many others.

So, why is adult education important?

As we all know, the world is changing rapidly and constantly, and everybody must be ready to change with it, otherwise, they will be left behind. This means making the effort to learn about society and all the technological, scientific, and social advancements happening today. Lifelong learning is also important for personal and professional growth.

Yes, I agree. But how can school dropouts get access to adult education?

Well, in fact, it's a big challenge for them. Going back to school after dropping out is not easy, especially when people have to work to support their families or take care of young children or sick family members. At present, those who need adult education the most, such as women, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, rural populations, and older citizens, still have limited access to learning opportunities. A recent UNESCO report has revealed some worrying statistics. About 60% of countries reported no improvement in participation by people with disabilities, migrants, or prisoners. In addition, 24% of countries reported that the participation of rural populations had declined. And participation of older adults had also decreased in 24% of the 159 surveyed countries.

How about adult education in Viet Nam? Is our country facing similar challenges?

Yes, but we have actually made some progress in promoting the education of rural workers and increasing our community learning centres. Our government has also invested more in adult learning and education. I strongly believe this investment will not only help improve the quality of adult classes but also give all people the same access to educational services and experiences.

Question 26. What is the interview mainly about?

A. Students dropping out of schools        B. Challenges in adult education

C. Obstacles in education for women        D. Difficulty accessing formal education

Question 27. The word they in the first question of the interview refers to         .

A. adults        B. skills        C. places        D. opportunities

Question 28. The word improvement in paragraph 4 is opposite in meaning to         .

A. progress        B. promotion        C. enhancement        D. decline

Question 29. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Vietnam has seen no progress in adult education despite government investment.

B. On average, only 24% of the rural population participates in education.

C. Today, the majority of people in the world are literate or have access to education.

D. The world's rapid and continuous change requires people to adapt to keep up.

Question 30. Which of the following problems affecting adult learners who need education the most?

A. Married ones can't afford education.        B. They find it difficult to return to school.

C. They are still inaccessible to education. D. They receive no support from the government.

IT'S NEVER TOO OLD TO STUDY

At the age of 97, Allan Stewart set a world (21)         for being the oldest university graduate when he received his Master of Clinical Science from Southern Cross University in New South Wales, Australia. This was Stewart's fourth university degree, (22)                  broke his own Guinness World Record in 2006 when, aged 91, he completed a law degree at the University of New England. Stewart

(23)         his first degree, a Bachelor of Dentistry, from the University of Sydney in 1936. He later completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Northwestern University in Chicago and worked (24)

         a dentist in London, Sydney and the rural areas of northern New South Wales. He said that people were never too old to study. Allan Stewart has (25)         an inspiring example for us to follow and learn throughout our lives.

(Adapted from Global Success Workbook 12)

Question 20.

1. What's more, self-study fosters independence and self-reliance, valuable skills in language acquisition.
2. Having a tutor can provide personalised support and immediate feedback, addressing challenges more efficiently.
3. Self-studying a new language offers flexibility and convenience, allowing learners to progress at their own pace and on their own schedule.
4. While both approaches have merits, finding the right balance between self-study and guided instruction is key to successful language learning.
5. However, it requires self-discipline and motivation to stay on track without direct guidance.
6. Besides, it's often more affordable than traditional classes, making it accessible to many.

A. c – b – d – a – e – f        B. f – c – d – a – b – e

C. b – c – f – a – e – d        D. c – f – a – e – b – d

Question 15. Travel and cultural experiences can widen one's perspective and understanding of the world.

A. broaden        B. overcome        C. acquire        D. imprison

Question 16. It’s never too late to acquire new skills and knowledge.

A. relate        B. lose        C. enhance        D. obtain