Part II. Skimming and scanning Directions: You are going to read a passage or passages with 10 statements attached to each. Each statement contains information given in one of the paragraphs. Identify the paragraph from which the information is derived. You may choose a paragraph more than once. Each paragraph is marked with a letter. A Parents' Guide to UCAS Applications A) To support your child through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) process, you'll need to be aware of the key dates and — make sure that they are, too. "The university application process is a minefield," says Wendy Pannell, whose daughter is in year 13. It can be particularly confusing for parents who want to be supportive, but who have no previous experience of the university admissions service. "University has changed enormously," says Andrew Swarbrick, university applications coordinator at the independent Abingdon school, Oxfordshire. "Parents need to remember that it's different from how it was for them. They need to start with a blank slate." With that in mind, here's how you can help your sixth-former to find and apply to a university that's right for them. B) Most schools will host information days that help parents to prepare. "Go to those sessions if a school is running them," says Nancy Raynsford, whose daughter is in her first year at Liverpool University. Students should think about where they want to go and what they want to study in year 12, as the application procedure will get underway in the autumn term of year 13. But with 37,000 courses to choose from at over 300 institutions, how can you help them to narrow down the options? C) If your sixth-former has a dream career in mind, such as medicine or dentistry, they'll need a specific degree to achieve it. If they don't know, admissions tutors advise students to apply for a subject they enjoy or a course they are fascinated by. Make use of the resources available online, such as university league tables and prospectuses (简章) ."I found the UCAS website a mine of information," says Wendy Pannell. "It's got all the deadline dates and everything in one place. You can also download apps and use Twitter — I've followed UCAS and universities." D) Parents and sixth-formers should go to open days to get a feel for what a university is like. "We went to about 20 open days," says Nancy Raynsford. "We sat in lectures and that helped us to understand what it was all about. I was designated as the note-taker so that my daughter could listen. I didn't ask any questions publicly because that was her job, but my being there gave her confidence. We could talk about it afterwards, and the shared experience of having been there with her meant that we could understand the process as well." "I went on a couple of visits to universities," says Barbara Asante, whose daughter is now at Sus University. "It's important for the parents to go because you know your child and so you can see that a university or a course will suit them." E) Parents should know important dates in the UCAS calendar and remind their sixth-former of them. All applications are made through UCAS and the final deadline for the majority of courses is January 15. However, most applications are submitted during the autumn term of year 13. It's recommended that students complete applications as early as possible; although universities must consider every one received by the deadline, many make offers in the autumn. F) Students can apply for up to five courses. Entry for most courses will be determined by predicted A-level results and tariff points. A certain number of tariff points are given for each A-level grade. You can look at tariff tables online to see how many points each grade has. Many schools advise that students have at least one "back-up" option, with lower entry requirements, in case they do not get their predicted grades. G) As well as understanding and guiding your child through the application process, parents can help with the personal statement, which is a chance for students to show their passion for a subject. "Parents can help their son or daughter to begin their personal statement," says Swarbrick. "Get them to explain what they find interesting and exciting about their subject," he says, "as well as to say what they've done to demonstrate that interest. However, it's also important that parents recognize that their son or daughter has to write their personal statement themselves." H) Parents can also help by being aware of the early deadline. The deadline for Oxbridge and some specific courses, such as medicine and dentistry, is October 15. If your sixth-former is thinking about applying to any of these subjects or universities they should prepare well in advance. Students may need to take a test or submit written work. They are then shortlisted and could be invited for an interview. I) At the offer stage, parents should play a monitorial role. Offers are staggered (犹豫,动摇) depending on when an application was made. Offers can be "unconditional" or "conditional" – which means they depend on A-level results. Students have to decline or accept only when all of their five choices have got back to them. They will then have to respond by a set deadline, given by UCAS. If a student's first choice is a conditional offer, they can also accept a second insurance choice, which asks for lower grades. "At this stage, parents should ask sixth-formers what the deadline is and when they plan to make their response by, to make sure that they are on top of the procedure. As the whole thing becomes more real, parents could help to organize another visit or two so that they get a second impression." J) If your sixth-former did not get into any of their choices, then they can still find a course through UCAS Extra, which stays open until early July. They can use the course search to find out which courses still have places available and apply through UCAS. Another option is to go through clearing, which matches students with unfilled places on courses. It's organized by UCAS and opens at 5 p.m. on A-level results day, August 15. It then runs until September. Encourage your child to keep calm, as clearing can be a stressful process. Expect them to be on the phone, contacting universities. Institutions say they prefer students, rather than parents, to call, so it's best for parents to take a step back and to let their son or daughter speak for themselves. (1) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J If a student is not sure about what subject to learn, he will be advised to apply for the subject he is interested in. ( ) (2) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J If a sixth-former graduate applies for medicine course, he should get to know the deadline for it and prepare for some tests ahead of time. ( ) (3) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J The advantage that parents accompany their children to the open days is that they can give their children confidence and help.( ) (4) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Many applicants submit their applications in the autumn of year 13 rather than in the January of year 14.( ) (5) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Students have to make a final decision about which university to attend by the deadline given by UCAS. ( ) (6) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Students are recommended to choose at least one course with lower entry requirements. ( ) (7) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Some parents, especially those who have never gone through university admission service, feel troubled and worried about the process of their kid's university application. ( ) (8) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Parents are suggested to go to the colleges on their information days to get well prepared to help their children. ( ) (9) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J Students who fail to be admitted by their ideal universities can still find vacancy in other universities before early July through UCAS Extra. ( ) (10) Paragraph A Paragraph B Paragraph C Paragraph D Paragraph E Paragraph F Paragraph G Paragraph H Paragraph I Paragraph J When writing personal statement, students should explain their interests in the chosen subject. ( )