英国教育政策研究所发布的一项最新报告称，在英格兰，地理位置的划分对接受好学校教育机会的影响越来越明显。2010年到2015年间，在伦敦接受中学教育的学生取得学业进步的可能性最大。请看以下报道。
This research suggests that London is taking an increasing share of the secondary schools where pupils make the most progress. But places such as Blackpool and Hartlepool (in the north of England) are being left even further behind as debates about social mobility increasingly focus on regional differences.
The study says deprived areas of London can have more high-performing schools than better-off areas outside the capital. David Laws, the think tank's chair and a former education minister, said the widening inequality was "shocking".
But the Department for Education said that its investments in disadvantaged areas would help to spread opportunities more evenly across the country.
该研究显示，英国一些中学能培养出学业进步出众的学生，而位于伦敦的这类学校正占有越来越高的比例。然而，在英格兰北部的布莱克浦以及哈特利浦等地，其中学的教育水平则愈发被甩在后面。与此同时，有关社会流动性的争论正日益着眼于地域间的差异。
这项研究称，即使是在伦敦的贫困地区，升学率高的学校数量也可能多于伦敦以外富裕地区此类学校的数量。该智囊团主席及前教育部官员大卫∙劳斯（David Laws）说，这一日益加深的不平等现象“令人震惊”。
但英国教育部称，政府在贫困地区的投资将有助于更加均匀地分布全国各地的教育机会。
词汇表
suggests 显示，意味着
secondary schools 中学
debates 讨论，争论
social mobility 社会流动性
regional differences 地区差异
deprived 贫困的
better-off 经济状况好的
shocking 惊人的，特别糟糕的
disadvantaged 贫困的，处于不利位置的
spread（使）扩散
测验
请听报道并回答下列问题。
1. According to this research, in which area are school children likely to have a better chance of making significant progress?
2. Do poorer areas of London have more high-performing schools than in some more affluent areas of England?
3. True or false? David Laws feels the inequality between different regions of the UK is a good thing.
4. What is the Department for Education doing to equal out the differences across the country?
答案
1. According to this research, in which area are school children likely to have a better chance of making significant progress?
This research suggests that London is taking an increasing share of the secondary schools where pupils make the most progress.
2. Do poorer areas of London have more high-performing schools than in some more affluent areas of England?
Yes. The study says deprived areas of London can have more high-performing schools than better-off areas outside the capital.
3. True or false? David Laws feels the inequality between different regions of the UK is a good thing.
False. He says the widening inequality was "shocking".
4. What is the Department for Education doing to equal out the differences across the country?
It is investing in disadvantaged areas to help spread opportunities more evenly across the country.
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