Questions: 1. At what age do American students start and finish their compulsory education? 2. How are the school years called in the United States? 3. The length of the school year varies among the states, doesn't it? 4. What are the basic components of American education? 5. Do all children have to attend a nursery school? 6. When does elementary education start? 7. What is the main aim of elementary education? 8. The secondary school curriculum doesn't imply a number of basic subjects, does it? 9. What are elective subjects? 10. Who is a guidance counselor?

1. At what age do American students start and finish their compulsory education?
At the age of 6 to 16 (or 18) years.

2. How are the school years called in the United States?
Members of each grade in high school have special names: students in the ninth grade are called freshmen, tenth graders are called sophomores, eleventh graders are juniors and as for twelfth graders, they are seniors.

3. The length of the school year varies among the states, doesn't it?
Yes, the length of the school year varies among the states as well as the day lengt.

4. What are the basic components of American education?
The American education system consists of 3 basic components: elementary, secondary and higher education. There is also such a notion as preschool education.

5. Do all children have to attend a nursery school?
No, not required.

6. When does elementary education start?
When they turn 6, they enter the 1st grade of primary school.

7. What is the main aim of elementary education?
The main goal of elementary education is the general intellectual, social and physical development of a pupil from 5 to 12 or 15 years old.

8. The secondary school curriculum doesn't imply a number of basic subjects, does it?
Although there is always a number of basic subjects in the curriculum: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education, the students have an opportunity to learn some elective subjects, which are not necessary for everybody.

9. What are elective subjects?
After the first two years of study, they choose subjects according to their professional interests.

10. Who is a guidance counselor?
Their responsibilities can range from helping students sign up for their classes to helping them deal with personal issues.