One of the strongest reasons for the raising of the school leaving age （ROSLA.has been

One of the strongest reasons for the raising of the school leaving age (ROSLA.has been that it will bring us nearer to the ideal of “equal opportunity”.

Many people like to think of our present system of schooling as providing plenty of steps up the ladder of success for clever children.It would be good to think that no one who is really bright can be missed out when the state system is apparently so thorough.It is obvious, for instance, that many children from less rich homes reach university or do well in other ways.

Unfortunately, we now have plenty of evidence that many children of every level of ability do much less well than they could.For instance, during the years of national military service it was possible to test the intelligence of all male 18-20 year olds.Half of those soldiers who were placed in the two highest ability groups had left schools at 15.

It has also been shown that the percentage of working class children going to university is almost the same now as it was in 1939.One study of 5000 children from birth to 21 years old indicated that up to half the bright pupils from working class homes left school when they reached 16 years old.Moreover, there is no difference in intelligence between the sexes, but far more boys than girls stay in education after 16.

It is clear from this and much other evidence that many children are still leaving school too early to benefit from the prizes------money, social respectability, and interesting jobs, which higher education gives.It is clear too that the reasons why such children leave have much to do with their social circumstances.Their parents often need the extra money another wage-owner can bring in; they do not value education for itself because their own was probably dull and unhappy.It is not so much that they force their sons and daughters to leave school, rather that they tend to say, “It's up to you”.

1.It is hoped that ROSLA will give all children （）.

A.a more enjoyable time at school

B.the same chances in society

C.the right to a better school

D.higher scored in intelligence tests

2.People would like to think that （）.

A.equal numbers of poor and rich children reach university

B.those with the least money get the best education

C.intelligent children are always chosen by the system

D.only clever children do well

3.Working class children are felt to be at a disadvantage because （）.

A.many of the clever ones leave school early

B.fewer go to university than ever before

C.more than half leave school when they are 16

D.fewer boys than girls stay at school after 16

4.Many children leave school early because （）.

A.their social circumstances make them unhappy

B.they have to work to support their family's income

C.their school is a dull and unhappy place

D.their parents don't allow them to make their own decisions

5.This article shows that equal opportunity in education （）.

A.is a thing of the past

B.has not yet been achieved

C.is there for those who merit it

D.has greatly improved our society