While it is true that Americans believe climbing the educational ladder leads to success, they are less certain that intellectual achievement which is the main purpose of the schools, is the only important factor leading to success. A competitive, even aggressive, personality is seen as important to success, especially in men. The development of social and political skills are also considered to be very important.

To help Americans to develop these other important skills, schools have added a large number of extracurricular activities to daily life at school. This is especially true of high schools and colleges but extends down into elementary schools as well.

Athletics, frequently called "competitive sports", are perhaps the most important of these activities. Football, basketball, and baseball teams are seen as very important in students, particularly boys, the "winning spirit". At times, athletic teams seem to become more important to some students and their parents than the academic programs offered by the schools.

Student government is another extracurricular activity designed to develop competitive, political and social skills in students. The students choose a number of student government officers, who compete for the votes of their fellow students in school wide elections. Although these officers have little power over the central decisions of the school, the process of running for office and then taking responsibility for a number of minor matters if elected is seen as good experience in developing their leadership and competitive skills.

Athletics and student government are only two of a variety of extracurricular activities found in American schools. There are clubs and activities for almost every student interest, all aimed at helping the student to become more successful in later life. Many parents watch their children's extracurricular activities with as much interest and concern as they do their children's intellectual achievements in the classroom. (304 words)

1. The main idea of the passage is that

  [A] Americans concentrate solely on extracurricular activities.

  [B] outside class interests are important addition to education.

  [C] Americans want to go to college and to succeed in the future.

  [D] Americans have more time to develop interests outside class.

2. According to the passage, the most important extracurricular activity especially for a boy would be

  [A] winning spirit.                         [B] joining the football or baseball team.

  [C] being a student officer.          [D] being president of the Students’ Club.

3. The reason why extracurricular activities are important is probably that

  [A] society is composed of many other social skills.

  [B] Americans attach great significance to sports.

  [C] education should be interesting and instructive.

  [D] everyone should know something about society and politics.

4. According to the passage, "climbing the educational ladder" most probably means

  [A] running for student government officers.

  [B] participating in extracurricular activities.

  [C] winning high ratings in school examinations.

  [D] developing your academic education step by step.

5. The best title for the passage would be

  [A] Students Should Both Study and Work.

  [B] American School Systems and Their Functions.

  [C] Just Studying Isn’t Always the Way to Success.

  [D] Parents Should Take Interest in Their Children s School Activities.