A South Korean City Brings the Great Books Method to Classrooms

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What limitation does the recording state about using outside sources during discussions?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Students do not use sources such as the internet to supply answers during discussions.
   2. Students may use internet sources only after exams.
   3. Teachers must provide online answers before class.
   4. Students are required to cite outside websites in every comment.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Students do not use sources such as the internet to supply answers during discussions.

   The account specifies what students do not consult to supply answers.

   They do not rely on outside sources such as the internet to supply answers during these discussions.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which feature does the recording say the Great Books model lacks?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Majors and elective courses
   2. Teachers and classroom discussions
   3. Assigned readings and peer debate
   4. A college campus in Maryland
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Majors and elective courses

   The recording names two standard course structures that are absent.

   The model also has no majors or elective courses.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   According to the recording, what is one result of students exchanging ideas?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They can explain their thinking and respond to classmates’ arguments.
   2. They can avoid reading assigned texts.
   3. They can replace college entrance exams.
   4. They can choose a major earlier.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They can explain their thinking and respond to classmates’ arguments.

   The stated result concerns explaining thinking and responding to peers.

   That exchange can help students explain their thinking and respond to arguments from peers.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How often do the cited OECD figures say 51% of South Korean students use AI chatbots for study?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. At least once a week
   2. Once each school day
   3. Only during college exams
   4. Once a month
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   At least once a week

   The statistic describes a minimum weekly frequency.

   At the same time, AI tools are entering students’ study routines: OECD figures cited in the report indicate that 51% of South Korean students use AI chatbots to study at least once a week.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What comparison does the recording make about past academic performance?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. East Asian students often outperformed American students in earlier decades.
   2. American students consistently scored below all Asian students after the pandemic.
   3. South Korean reading scores have increased since the pandemic.
   4. PISA compares only students who attend foreign schools.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   East Asian students often outperformed American students in earlier decades.

   It compares East Asian students with their American counterparts over decades.

   International assessments such as PISA have shown a post-pandemic decline in South Korean reading skills, following decades in which South Korean and other East Asian students often performed better than their American counterparts.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which example shows that exam pressure affects children beyond the oldest students?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The pressure reaches even young children.
   2. Young children choose college majors at Toegye.
   3. Elementary students attend St. John’s College in Maryland.
   4. Children use AI chatbots only once a month.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The pressure reaches even young children.

   The recording explicitly says the pressure reaches young children.

   This pressure reaches even young children, while many families turn to cram schools for an advantage or choose foreign schools to avoid the system.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which school is associated with the Great Books approach used at Toegye?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. St. John’s College
   2. A foreign school in Seoul
   3. A cram school in Chuncheon
   4. The OECD campus in Maryland
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   St. John’s College

   The recording identifies the college whose model Toegye adopted.

   Toegye has adopted the Great Books approach used by St. John’s College, whose main campus is in Annapolis, Maryland.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.