Let’s delve into the text and address each blank carefully, analyzing the context and ensuring the grammar and meaning align appropriately. Below is a detailed explanation of the answers to each blank, alongside the correct word choices.
0) than
This is already filled in and correct. The sentence contrasts the percentage of students who attend public school in Britain, so "than" is the appropriate choice to complete the comparison.
1) that
The sentence explains the reason public school attendance is low, and "that" introduces a clause explaining the reason.
Correct phrase: "The reason for this is that it is a very expensive education."
2) who
The sentence refers to people who may not know the term "public school," so the relative pronoun "who" is used to describe them.
Correct phrase: "For those who are not familiar."
3) with
The phrase "familiar with" is a standard collocation in English. You are familiar with something, so "with" fits perfectly here.
Correct phrase: ".are not familiar with the term."
4) most
The sentence refers to one of the "most well-known" public schools, which is a superlative form to describe Eton's prominence.
Correct phrase: "One of the most well-known public schools."
5) to
The phrase "is said to be" is a common construction in English, meaning that something is reputed or believed to be a certain way.
Correct phrase: "Eton is said to be the crème de la crème."
6) only
The phrase emphasizes that Eton is exclusively for boys, so "only" is the correct word to highlight this exclusivity.
Correct phrase: "Eton, a school for boys only."
7) even
The word "even" emphasizes that the school has its own newspaper, in addition to its other unique traits, making it notable.
Correct phrase: ".has its own traditions, its own sports and even its own newspaper."
8) both
The sentence refers to two specific individuals, Prince William and Prince Harry, so "both" is the appropriate choice to refer to them together.
Correct phrase: ".including both Prince William and Prince Harry."
9) per
The phrase "per term" is standard when discussing fees charged for each academic term. "Per" indicates the rate or unit.
Correct phrase: ".are about ₤4,470 per term."
10) say
The phrase "needless to say" is a common idiom in English, meaning that something is obvious or does not need to be stated.
Correct phrase: ".which, needless to say, most people just can’t afford."
11) their
The possessive pronoun "their" refers to the fathers sending their own sons to public schools.
Correct phrase: "Fathers who have attended public schools themselves still send their sons."
12) one
The sentence discusses fathers wanting their sons to attend the same school they attended, so "one" is used to refer back to the specific school.
Correct phrase: ".preferably to the one they attended."
13) will
The sentence predicts that children will form important connections, so "will" is the correct future tense modal verb.
Correct phrase: ".their children will make the right connections."
14) may
The verb "may" is appropriate here to express possibility, as not all students will necessarily become members of Parliament or government ministers.
Correct phrase: ".for instance, they may become members of Parliament or government ministers."
15) the
The phrase "at the age of" is a fixed expression in English when referring to a specific age.
Correct phrase: ".to leave mum and dad at the age of 18."
Final Completed Text:
In Britain, less (0) than 7 per cent of the school population attend a public school. The reason for this is (1) that it is a very expensive education. For those (2) who are not familiar (3) with the term “public school”: it means private education, and parents have to pay large fees for their children to be educated there. One of the (4) most well-known public schools in England is Eton. Eton is said (5) to be the crème de la crème.
Founded in 1440, Eton, a school for boys (6) only, has its own traditions, its own sports and (7) even its own newspaper. Over the years many famous people have attended this school, including (8) both Prince William and Prince Harry, heirs to the British throne. The fees at Eton, and most public schools, are about ₤4,470 (9) per term, which, needless to (10) say, most people just can’t afford.
Fathers who have attended public schools themselves still send (11) their sons to boarding schools, preferably to the (12) one they attended. Why? Well the old boys believe that in these schools their children (13) will make the right connections. They tend to get positions high up in society; for instance, they (14) may become members of Parliament or government ministers. However, it still must be hard to leave mum and dad at (15) the age of 18 in order to board at a public school. Don’t you agree?
Explanation of Theme:
The text discusses the British public school system, which is paradoxically private in nature. It highlights the exclusivity, traditions, and social advantages associated with attending prestigious schools like Eton, while also pointing out the high cost and emotional challenges. The phrase "crème de la crème" reinforces the idea that these schools are considered the best of the best, producing influential figures in society.
