Read the text. For

each item (1—5) choose the correct VARIANT (А, В, C or D).

When students understand the connection between school and

the wider world of future earnings they do more homework!

In a study by the University of Michigan of 600 middle-school

students the researchers found that, when students were asked to consider what

they wanted to do in the future before they were given homework, they were far

more likely to do the homework that night.

The researchers also found that students who saw college

education as part of their career path were up to eight times more likely to do

extra homework.

Obviously, middle school students are able to make the

connection between school work and future earnings, and only needed to be

reminded of this connection to become more motivated to learn. With younger

students the connection might not be so obvious, but there are other

connections that can be made.

For instance, younger students can be told that if they want

to be like one of their action heroes they need to work hard in school. Most

sports personalities (however not all!) are excellent role models for young

children and often work in schools to encourage children to learn and do well.

But how often do we make sure that children understand the connection

between school and life? Too often teachers and parents concentrate on

short-term objectives — the next test, the next learning benchmark — rather

than giving children a bigger picture of why they are in school.

Researchers used to ask children why they had to learn to

read. The answers they got were amazing. Some children said they had to learn

to read «because the teacher says so», or because «my parents want me to». It

took some time to tell and show them that teachers were not making them learn

to read for the sake of reading, but so that they could learn more and become

clever enough to get a good job when they left school. The children were quite

surprised at this new way of looking at the reason for learning to read and

most of them were more motivated to learn as a result.

5)            As the

researchers found out the main motive why children learn to read is ...