II. READING

TASK 1. Read the passage and fill in each blank with ONE word.

The Importance of Science Education in Schools

Why should we teach science to children in schools? Why do many schools teach STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and maths)? One reason is every day children can see the benefits of (1) _____________ around them, so they can be aware of the (2) _____________ and technology intheir everyday life. Secondly, when (3) _____________ learn about the role that science plays in their lives, they will learn to think in a scientific way, learn to search for the answers and to (4) _____________ reasons. In other words, students can gain both knowledge of science as well as critical thinking and problem-solving (5) _____________ in their future. These will be important for their work and studies. Moreover, if children learn science at an early age, they will be more ready to get involved in science-related fields when they grow up.

Who is a forecaster? A. A person who predicts future events B. A person who uses supercomputers C. A person who reads news stories on TV