A、12. B、16. C、18. D、20. B当学生16 岁毕业后，他们可以选择工作，或上大学。

The educational system in the United States is controlled by the state government and local authorities. According to the United States Constitution, the federal government has no power to establish a national educational system. (16) Federal agencies do not make education policy. These decisions are made at the state or local levels, so you might expect education laws and policies to be different from state to state. On the contrary, all children must attend school from the age of 6 or 7 to the age of 16. (17) When students graduate at the age of 16, they may choose to look for jobs or to attend university courses. Public schools in states and territories are free of charge from grade 1 to 12. All the public schools receive money from local government.
Private schools also operate in all states and territories. (18) Although some private schools are operated by churches and religious groups, most private schools are not linked to any religious organization. Private schools do not receive government money. The parents of private schools’ students pay the school. The annual federal government reports estimate that in the year 2002, more than 46 million students attend public schools. (19) And another 6 million students attend private schools. More than 1 million students don’t go to school at all. Their parents teach them at home. This home schooling has become popular in the last 15 years or so.
Questions 16 to 19 are based on the passage you have just heard.
16. According to the talk, who will make decision as regard to education policy?
17. At what age does an American student leave school for jobs or higher academic activities?
18. Which of the following is not true about private schools in America?
19. According to the government report, how many students attend private schools in the year 2002?