National pride of oxbridge

EDUCATION

SPEECH PATTERNS

1. Don’t you think it’s silly?	Не кажется ли тебе это глупым?
2. What’s the use of ....ing?	Какой смысл в...?
3. Why should I? ( syn. Why on earth?)	С какой стати?
4. You don’t say so!	Не может быть!
5. You must be joking!	Должно быть вы шутите?
6. You can’t be serious!	Ты можешь говорить серьёзно?
7. No doubt!	Несомненно!
8. No objections!	Без возражений!
9. By all means	Во что бы то ни стало. ( Конечно)
10. Better late than never.	Лучше поздно, чем никогда.

Exercise 1. Work in pairs. Fill in the gap in the dialogue frame with phrases from the list above. Express surprise, annoyance, disagreement.

-Why don’t you work in the library every day? -...................................

-Why don’t you choose the subject for your course-paper? -................

- Why don’t you work at your course-paper? -................................................

-Why don’t you devote three days a week to studying English? -........

-Why don’t you win a scholarship? -.....................................................

Exercise 2.Work in pairs. Respond to the statements.

1. Teachers prefer dull students to bright ones.

2. You know what students are like nowadays? They are getting less and less intelligent every day.

3. To my mind, colleges shouldn’t provide students with general knowledge. Emphasis should be placed on professional skill.

4. I don’t think it’s important for students to learn how to work with dictionaries.

VOCABULARY

Nouns

1. "A" level examination – экзамен в возрасте 18 лет, по окончании 6 класса средней школы; по результатам экзамена зачисляют в университет (5-6 лет)

2. academic – зд. aкадемический, более подготовленный, теоретический

3. admission - приём (в организацию, учебное заведение и т. п.)

4. attendance - посещаемость

5. Bachelor of Arts (BA) - 6aкалавр гуманитарных наук.

6. Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree – степень бакалавра точных наук

7. boarding school - пансион, закрытое учебное заведение; школа-интернат

8. brain-storming - «мозговая атака»; коллективное обсуждение проблем при полной свободе выдвижения проектов решения

9. comprehensive school-общеобразовательная школа для учащихся с разными способностями

10. compulsory education – обязательное образование.

11. doctorate – степень доктора наук

12. entrance exam – вступительный экзамен.

13. finals - выпускные экзамены (особ. в университете)

14. free education – бесплатное образование

15. further education - дальнейшее образование (на курсах повышения квалификации и т. п.; дневное и вечернее)

16. General Certificate of Secondary Education exam – экзамен на аттестат об общем среднем образовании (в возрасте 16 лет)

17. General National Vocational Qualification exam – экзамен в 16 лет на получение общенациональной профессиональной квалификации (как альтернатива к экзамену на аттестат об общем среднем образовании)

18. graduation – окончание курса (в учебном заведении), получение ученой степени.

19. grammar (school) – тип средней школы, где учащиеся изучают теоретические предметы (11-18 лет)

20. grant-maintained school – школа, контролируемая и субсидируемая группой людей, но не отделом местной власти.

21. handicapped – учащиеся, испытывающие затруднения в учебе; имеющие физические недостатки.

22. honours degree – степень отличия (почетная)

23. independent school- частная школа, независимая от местных органов власти.

24. infant school- младенческая школа (5 - 7 лет), первая ступень начального обучения

25. junior school -младшая школа (7 – 11 лет), вторая ступень начального обучения

26. lecturer - лектор (ученое звание преподавателя вуза)

27. Local Education Authority – отдел местной власти, поддерживающий материально

28. Master’s degree – степень магистра

29. National Curriculum – государственная учебная программа, принятая в школах Англии и Уэльса в 1988г.

30. part-time course – вечернее или заочное отделение

31. pass degree - диплом без отличия

32. preparatory school (prep school) – частная подготовительная школа.

33. prepreparatory school – предподготовительная частная школа.

34. pride of place - значительное место

35. primary schooling -начальное образование

36. public school – привилегированное среднее учебное заведение (для детей 13 -18 лет)

37. sandwich course - курс обучения, чередующий теорию с практикой; комбинированное обучение; сочетание общеобразовательного и профессионального обучения с работой на производстве

38. secondary modern (school) – средняя школа, где упор делается на развитие практических или технических умений (11-18 лет)

39. standard assessment tasks – стандартизированные задания для оценки успехов учащихся 14-ти лет.

40. students in training-студенты-практиканты

41. syllabus ( syllabi) = curriculum (curricula)– программа обучения.

42. tutor or supervisor – наставник научный руководитель.

43. tutorials or supervisions – занятия с наставником (руководителем группы студентов )

44. University Grants Committee – университетский комитет субсидий

45. vocational training – профессиональная подготовка.

Verbs

1. to assess – оценивать, давать оценку

2. to be regarded - считаться

3. to enable – давать возможность, право

4. to encourage – поощрять, вдохновлять

5. to grade – распределять по классам

6. to include – включать (в себя)

7. to introduce – открывать, внедрять

8. to look after – присматривать, заботиться о ком-либо

9. to make use of numbers – использовать числа

10. to overcome - преодолевать

11. to pass an exam – выдержать, сдать экзамен

12. to provide - обеспечивать

13. to submit – представлять на рассмотрение.

Adjectives and adverbs

annually - ежегодно

PHONETIC EXERCISES

Exercise I. Pronounce the following words correctly paying attention to the ways of pronunciation of the stressed vowels.

[æ] grammar, bachelor, handicapped, national, preparatory, standard, sandwich, annually,

[a:] grant, master, task, regarded, pass, part-time, arts

[i] syllabus, admission, committee, infant, certificate, submit, curriculum

[o:] boarding, course, brain-storming

[Λ] public, overcome, encourage, number, compulsory

[e] level, academic, comprehensive, entrance, independent, secondary, attendance, assessment

[ai] pride, primary, provide, finals

[ei] examination, education, vocational, graduation, training, make, grade, enable, maintained

Exercise 2.Pronounce the following terms.

Bachelor of Arts [‘̀̀bæʧələrəv ‘a:ts]

Bachelor of Science [bæʧələrəv ‘saiәns]

General Certificate of Secondary Education [ʤenәrəl sə’tifikət əv ‘sekəndəri edju:kei∫n]

General National Vocational Qualification[‘ʤenәrәl ‘næ∫әnәl vә’kei∫ənəl kw)lifi’kei∫n]

Local Education Authority [‘loukәl edju:’keiə∫n ):’θ)riti]

National Curriculum [‘næ∫әnәl kә’rikjәlәm]

University Grants Committee [,ju:ni’vә:siti ‘gra:nts kә’miti]

Infant school [‘infәnt ,sku:l]

Junior school [‘ʤu:njә ,sku:l]

Exercise 3.Pronounce the words and mind the difference in sounding.

/ə:/ /):/ or /)/

term – course

refer – order

university – accordance

person – although

service – honours

first – almost

research – awarded

work – want

determine - brainstorming

/i:/ - /i/

freeze - committee

degree - different

school leavers - admission

field - decision

teaching - discipline

people - supervision

receive - equipment

evening - single

/a:/ - /ʌ/

charge - result

staff - study

master - discussion

Glasgow - Durham

department - production

grants - self-governing

/æ/ - /e/

Bachelor - lecture

a graduate - necessary

exam - better

annually - assess

substantial - letters

LEXICAL EXERCISES

Exercise 1. Look through the vocabulary and find

a) the terms for stages of education in Great Britain, types of schools, degrees, certificates, teachers.

b) the infinitives in the Active Voice and in the Passive Voice.

Exercise 2.Identify the part of speech and translate the words into Russian:

Academy - academic, science - scientific, education - educational, to enter - entrance, independence -independent, school - schooling, to assess - assessment, tutor - tutorial, use - useful, to introduce - introduction, to grade - grade, to admit - admission, far - further.

Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences into Russian:

1. State schools in Great Britain are divided into several types.

2. Children who want to learn academic subjects go to grammar schools.

3. Comprehensive schools usually combine all types of secondary education.

4. Private schools are mostly boarding schools at which pupils live during the term time.

5. After leaving school many young people go to colleges of further education.

6. There are about 90 universities in Britain.

7. Full courses of study offer the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science.

8. Students may receive grants from their Local Education Authority to pay for books, accommodation, transport and food.

Exercise 4. Ask questions to the following sentences:

1. All British children must stay at school from the age of 5 until they are 16.

2. Comprehensive schools have physics, chemistry, biology laboratories, machine workshops for metal and woodwork and also geography, history and art departments, commercial and domestic courses.

3. Private schools charge fees for educating children.

4. The lectures at colleges of further education, each an hour long, start at 9.15 in the morning and end at 4.45 in the afternoon.

5. Universities in Great Britain are divided into three types: the Ancient universities (Oxford (before 1167), Cambridge (1209), St. Andrews (1413), Glasgow (1451), Aberdeen (1495) and Edinburgh (1583) Universities), the Red Brick universities (the 19^{th –}early 20^thcenturies) such as London and Manchester Universities, and the New universities.

6. The grant, students receive from the Local Education Authority, depends on the income of their parents.

7. The social life of students includes a lot of clubs, parties, concerts, bars.

Exercise 5. Fill in the blanks with the proper words:

1. Those who want to go on to college or university usually take … in 2 or 3 subjects.

2. The Open University accepts students without …

3. Undergraduate courses mostly lead to the degree of a … or a… .

4. Further study or research is required for the degree of a … and that of a … .

5. Some students may be given a … from the local education authority.

6. Oxford and Cambridge are famous for their academic excellence and … .

Key: tutorial system, formal qualifications, Doctor, A-level examinations, Bachelor of Arts, grant, Master, Bachelor of Science.

Text 1

Exercise 1.Read and translate the text.

PRIMARY STATE EDUCATION

The first step of compulsory education in Britain is primary schooling. Primary schools cater for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The first two years are the years of infant school. In infant school (or classes) children are encouraged to read, to write in their own words, to understand and make use of numbers. Subject teaching is rare. At the age of 7 children go to the junior school where the teaching becomes more formal. About 40-50 minutes every day are spent on Arithmetic. Almost an hour a week is given to work in History, Geography, Nature Study and Music. Pride of place is given to English, which may occupy from 7 to 10 hours a week. Special care is taken to continue the teaching of Reading. The infant and junior schools are in many cases housed in the same building and may be regarded as two levels of primary education.

Some children between 2 and 5 years of age attend informal preschool playgrounds organized by parents in private houses. Teachers and students in training often work there. In the nursery classes kids are looked after while their parents are at work. Children are given a chance to play, have lunch and sleep. Attendance at the nursery schools (classes or groups) is not compulsory. There are no formal lessons in a nursery school. Indoor and outdoor play using a great variety of materials forms the basis of the daily programme. Other activities include drawing, painting, listening to stories told by the teacher, dancing, and learning the values of money, weights and measures while playing organized games.

Exercise 2. Match the definitions from A with the words in B.

A. 1). a school in Britain for children between the ages of 7 and 11. 2) a school in Britain for children between the ages of five and seven. 3) a building belonging to or for the use of a particular person or group. 4) a school in Britain for children between 5 and 11. 5) an outdoor area where children can play, especially at a school.

_____________________________

B. 1) infant school 2) primary school 3) junior school 4) playground 5) private house

Exercise 3.Agree or disagree with the following statements according to the text.

1. Primary schools cater for children between the ages of 4 and 7.

2. Children go to the junior school at the age of 7.

3. The teaching at junior schools is informal.

4. English classes at junior schools occupy from 7 to 10 hours a month.

5. Teachers and students in training often work at playgrounds.

6. There are a lot of formal lessons in a nursery school.

Exercise 4.Answer the questions.

1. What is the first step of compulsory education in Britain?

2. What are children encouraged to in infant schools?

3. At what age do children go to junior schools?

4. How much time is spent on different subjects?

5. What kind of schools can be regarded as two levels of primary education?

7. Are there any lessons in a nursery school?

8. Does indoor or outdoor play form the basis of the daily programme?

Text 2

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text.

SECONDARY STATE EDUCATION

Children begin their secondary education at about eleven years of age. There are different types of secondary schools in England and Wales. The most popular and mostly often used by pupils are comprehensive schools. These are large state secondary schools for boys and girls of all abilities aged 11-16 (or - 18). Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s with the aim to replace the system of dividing children between more academic (grammar) and less academic (secondary modern) schools. In comprehensive schools teaching is done in mixed ability classes. It means that children of all abilities are put in one class so you will have less able children, more able children and average children all in one class. About 6 per cent of students go to grammar schools, state schools which take only students who pass an examination at the age of 11.

In 1988, for the first time in British history, a National Curriculum was introduced. The National Curriculum tells pupils which subjects they have to study, what they must learn and when they have to take assessment tests.

Between the ages of 14 and 16 pupils study for their GCSE O(ordinary)-level (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Pupils must take English language, Maths and Science for GCSE, as well as a half GCSE in a Foreign Language and Technology. In addition, they must also be taught Physical Education, Religious Education and Sex Education, although they do not take exams in these subjects.

At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) levels or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ. Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to University, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

AS levels are the same standard as A levels, but only half the content: AS-level German pupils take the A-level German language exam, but do not take the A-level German Literature exam.

GNVQs are vocational qualifications. Pupils usually take one GNVQ in subjects such as Business, Leisure and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Art and Design.

If pupils have some learning difficulties or they are handicapped their parents may be given an official document saying that the child has special educational needs. Some handicapped children may attend ordinary secondary school, others attend maintained special schools. Special education is intended to enable handicapped children to overcome their difficulties so that they may, as far as possible, take their place in society.

The choice of a secondary school depends on children's abilities and health, their parents’ wishes, and what schools are closer to their houses.

Exercise 2.Read the sentences translating Russian words and word combinations into English.

1. There are (продвинутые) and (продвинутые дополнительные) levels exams in British schools.

2. Some (c физическими или умственными недостатками) children may attend ordinary secondary school, others attend maintained special schools.

3. The choice of a secondary school depends on children’s (способности) and (здоровье).

4. They (принимают) pupils who successfully passed examinations at the age of 11.

5. Grammar schools teach more academic subjects than (общеобразовательные) schools.

6. GNVQs are (профессиональные квалификации).

Exercise 3.Put the sentences in the right order.

1. At the age of 16 pupils take their GCSE exams.

2. There are different types of secondary schools.

3. The choice of schools depends on parents.

4. National Curriculum was introduced in 1988.

5. At the age of 18 pupils take their A level, AS level or GNVQ exams.

Exercise 4.Expand the following.

1. The most popular schools are comprehensive schools.

2. GCSE course includes many subjects.

3. AS level is nearly the same standard as A level.

4. GNVQs are vocational qualifications in some specialities.

5. Children having problems may attend different schools.

Text 3

Exercise 1.Read the text and get ready to do the task.

PRIVATE EDUCATION

Outside the state system of education there exists the system of private or independent schools. These schools vary widely in type from small preparatory and preparatory (Prep) schools to the famous public schools. As well as the state school system they provide primary and secondary education,

Pre-preparatory schools take children up to the age of 8 or even 11. Then comes an independent preparatory school admitting pupils at about 7 up to 13. At the age of 12 or 13 pupils usually take the Common Entrance examination (exam). Girls take this exam at the age of 10. Those pupils who pass the Common Entrance exam successfully become students of a public school. Most public schools as well as preparatory ones are for either boys or girls.

The term "public school" corresponds to a private school, but in Scotland it refers to a State school,

About 10 per cent of children attend independent public schools which are for children of rich parents, not for the general public. Britain's 200 public schools take fee-paying children whose parents are able to pay several thousand pounds a year. Public schools are believed to provide a better education in comparison with state schools. They are also known to give the right social background for top jobs in the Establishment. Most public figures were educated in public schools.

Some public schools are rather old and very famous. One of the most famous and best known public schools is Eton College. It was founded by King Henry VI in 1440, when he was only eighteen. Today, there are about a thousand boys at the school. Because Eton College is so popular it is very difficult for parents to get a place for their sons. So some parents put their sons' names on the waiting list, while they are still babies! Those people who studied at Eton College call themselves Old Etonians.

The first education establishment of this kind was Winchester College opened in 1382, which is now very popular among the boys. Harrow School (founded in 1571) is known to have educated Winston Churchill (1874-1965), who was a politician, a member of Parliament (from 1900 till 1965), Britain's Prime Minister, the Nobel Prize winner, an honorary US citizen. One of the best-known British public schools for girls now is Cheltenham Ladies’ College (established in 1853). Not far from the southern city Brighton there is Roedean School known as the leading public school for girls.

Most public schools are boarding schools where students live during term-time. The discipline in public schools is rather strict. These may be the reasons why some wealthy people choose public schools for their children in Britain. A great number of former public school students become the students of the most famous and prestige universities. Oxford and Cambridge Universities are the first among them.

Exercise 2.Answer the following questions.

1. Why are private schools also called independent schools?

2. What types of private schools are there in Britain?

3. What children can study at public schools?

4. What education do public schools offer to pupils? What are the most famous public schools?

Text 4

Exercise 1.Read and translate the text.

FURTHER EDUCATION

There is a wide network of further education institutions in Britain. They give students the chance to increase their theoretical background and professional training. Students may get further education after they have passed their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) exams taken at the age of 16.

Further education includes sixth-form colleges and classes where students work for "A" (Advanced) level exams necessary to enter a university. It also includes colleges of further education which provide a theoretical background and professional qualification training in nursing, accountancy, management, art, music, etc. Besides there are some vocational training courses in such fields as engineering, building, secretary skills, hairdressing and others. Many further education courses prepare people for jobs, some lead them to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other certificates and diplomas. So-called sandwich courses offer students periods of paid work as well as periods of study.

Colleges of further education offer a wide range of part-time courses when students learn their skills at work and get education attending college one or two days a week over several years. Degree courses at universities are also referred to further education. There are more than 500 institutions of further education that offer people part-time courses. Over 700,000 full-time and sandwich course students attend institutions of further education in Britain. A lot of further education courses prepare people for jobs. But they are paid, not free.

Exercise 2.Answer the questions.

1. There is a wide network of further education, isn’t there?

2. When do students get further education?

3. What does further education also include?

4. Do so-called sandwich courses offer periods of study or work?

5. How many institutions are there in Britain?

6. A lot of further education courses aren’t free, are they?

Exercise 3.Prove that:

1. Further education institutions give students the chance to increase professional training.

2. Colleges provide a theoretical background and professional qualification training in different jobs.

3. Besides there are some vocational courses of further education in different jobs.

4. Colleges of further education offer a wide range of part-time courses.

Text 5

Exercise 1.Read and translate the text.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The term "higher education" is not often used in Britain. When it is used it refers to degree courses at universities after 12 years of elementary and secondary schooling.

In order to get higher education school leavers may hand in applications to different universities. The final decision is taken by Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UСAS) which, in accordance with the students’ results of the "A" level exams, offers a place to this or that university. The better results of the exams are the better university or college place can be offered.

After three years of studies at the university a student may get the first degree, it is Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. The first degree is usually an honours degree. The letters BA or BSc are often added after the graduates' names. However, the title of a degree does not necessarily reflect the field in which the student has studied. For example at some universities the Bachelor of Arts is awarded to students in all, or almost in all, disciplines – Science, Engineering, etc., as well as Arts subjects.

Those graduates who want to continue their studies at the university may work for a Master's degree or a Doctorate. To get a master's degree a student needs one more year of study. After that he or she gets the degree of Master of Arts, Master of Science or Master of Business Administration. Doctorate is the highest degree in Britain's universities. The letters "Dr" before a person's name indicate that he or she has the title of "Doctor", the highest title at the university - PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

University teaching combines lectures, practical classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching in either seminars (discussion groups) and tutorials or supervisions (run by tutors or supervisors). The teachers at the university may be: a professor (a senior member of the staff or the person in charge of a department), lecturers (teaching and research staff) and research associates (junior academic staff).

The oldest and most famous universities in Britain are Oxford and Cambridge. Other not less famous and respected universities are London, Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and some others.

At most universities in Britain the academic year is divided into three terms. Examinations are not necessarily taken annually. At many universities students study one or two main subjects throughout their degree course. Most courses end in a series of exams called finals. At some universities the student’s work may be assessed at regular intervals, and the results of these assessments are taken into consideration in determining the degree classification. If the student's results are not up to the standard for an honours degree this student may be awarded a pass degree.

University education may be not only full-time but also part-time. Some people want to get a degree but they need only evening or correspondence courses. At some universities there is a department of continuing education which runs four, five or even more year courses for students combining their work and education.

There is no single body or organization responsible for the planning and development of university education in Britain. All the universities and colleges are independent, self-governing institutions, although they receive substantial aid from the state through the University Grants Committee.

British universities are known to have high standards of professors and lecturers. Technical equipment, made on a solid production base, different kinds of visual aids, the internet service, TV and computers are widely used in university teaching. Students have every opportunity for discussing, brainstorming, critical thinking and self-assessment so necessary for a person with university education.

Exercise 2.Match the words in pairs:

A person, the title of, run by, throughout, responsible for

The degree course, tutors, in charge, planning work, “Doctor”

Exercise 3.Find English equivalents.

Не менее известные и популярные университеты, государственные экзамены, в соответствии с результатами, на протяжении всего курса на получение степени, младшие научные сотрудники, самоуправляемые учреждения, наглядные пособия.

Exercise 4.Use the correct preposition.

1) an application … a university 2) the academic year is divided … 3 terms 3) in accordance … the results 4) a decision taken … a university 5) a degree awarded … the students 6) to work … a Master’s degree 7) classes … scientific subjects 8) in charge … a department.

Exercise 5.Complete the sentences:

1. In order to get higher education school leavers may …

2. A student may get Bachelor of Science degree after …

3. The letters “Dr” before a person’s name indicate that …

4. In most English universities the academic year is divided into …

5. The results of the student’s work assessments are taken into consideration in determining …

6. English universities receive aid from the state through …

Text 6

Exercise 1.You will hear 5 utterances. Set up a correspondence between the utterances 1 – 5 and the statements given in the list A-F. Use each letter only once. There is one spare statement. You will hear the texts twice.

This speaker says that she/he

A. enjoyed the activities at the university.

B. liked the friendly atmosphere of the university.

C. traveled a lot when she/he was a student.

D. owes her/his success to the university teachers.

E. has been able to develop as a person.

F. studies the same university longer than she/he was going to.

Speaker
Utterance

Text 7

Exercise 1.Read two texts devoted to famous universities of Great Britain and do the test.

OXBRIDGE

Notes: gown – мантия (студента университета, судьи и т. п.)

graduation – окончание курса (в учебном заведении), получение ученой степени.

rivals- соперники, конкуренты.

crew – экипаж корабля.

to bump – ударять, налетать , наскочить

When people speak about the universities of Oxford and Cambridge together and want to distinguish them from other British universities they usually use the word "Oxbridge", which is made up from the names of two universities - Oxford and Cambridge. To use one word "Oxbridge" is quite natural because both universities do not differ greatly and have much in common. Oxford and Cambridge universities date back to the Middle Ages and have always been the universities for gentlemen. Now in both there are colleges for women. Each university consists of a number of semi-independent colleges. To become a student of Oxford or Cambridge one has to take an entrance exam in addition to "A" levels and after that he (she) may be accepted at one of the university colleges.

The teaching in both universities is based on the tutorial system. Students have tutorials called supervisions at Cambridge. Every student has a tutor who plans his (her) work. The student has to write essays and papers on the subjects he (she) is studying. The student is also required to submit regularly the results of his (her) work to the tutor who gives advice and helps him (her) in time of need.

Both universities are believed to be the best institutions to get education at. Most graduates of Oxbridge are former students of famous public schools. An Oxbridge degree is highly valued and recognized by the public and the government. As a rule most Oxbridge graduates get leading positions in Britain and become politicians, MPs and prime ministers.

In both universities students wear gowns. As for Oxford students, when taking exams or being at a degree ceremony, they have to wear a gown on top of their academic dress consisting of a black suit or skirt, black shoes and socks or tights, a white shirt or a blouse and a black tie. Besides they have to put on a black hat with a flat, square top. Cambridge students wear gowns when they become members of the university and at graduation.

The students of Oxford and Cambridge always compete with each other. They are rivals in academic affairs, in debating and sport. Rugby and cricket teams competitions as well as the Boat Races held each year attract public attention. Each May the river Thames, known at Oxford as the Isis, becomes like a Venetian carnival when colleges row against each other. Crews try to bump the boat in front of them. The leading crew at the end of four days wins the title Head of the River

NATIONAL PRIDE OF OXBRIDGE

Notes: PhD – высшая ученая степень доктора наук.

fellow – член Совета колледжа (часто профессор)

Civil Service Commissioner – член парламентской комиссии по гражданским делам

vice-versa - наоборот

knight- рыцарский титул, присуждаемый за личные заслуги перед Британской короной

life peer – лорд (пожизненный член палаты лордов)

A great number of men of letters graduated from Oxford university in different years of its long history. Among them there are such world-known writers as: Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) John Golsworthy (1867-1933), James Aldridge (b. 1918), Thomas S. Eliot (1888-1965), Philip Larkin (1922-1985), William Golding (1911-1992), Graham Greene (1904-1991) and some others.

Cambridge University can boast of such world famous graduates as: Isaac Newton (1642-1727), George Gordon Byron (1788-1824), William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), Charles Darwin (1809-1882), Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999) and others.

Among the most prominent people of the 20th century in Britain there should be mentioned a well-known English writer of novels, a scientist, a literary critic and a public figure of importance Charles Percy Snow (1905-1980). Born in a lower middle-class family C.P. Snow was educated at Leicester University College where in 1927 he took a First Class Honours degree in chemistry. Then at Christ's College, Cambridge, he took a PhD for research in molecular physics and became a Fellow and a tutor teaching physics at Cambridge University.

During the Second World War C.P. Snow worked as a scientific expert for the British government. When the war was over he was made a Civil Service Commissioner and was thus brought into public affairs (1945-1960).

Alongside with his public activities Snow dedicated himself to literature. His first novel was a detective story “Death Under Sail” (1932).

Literary fame came to Snow when he started publishing a sequence of eleven novels under the general title of “Strangers and Brothers” (1940-1970) where he draws a vast canvas of the British way of life in scientific, academic and government fields. He writes that if people live alone, isolated from their environment, they are “Strangers”. But in grieves and sorrows, happiness and joy they become "Brothers". So today's "Strangers" may become tomorrow's “Brothers", and vice-versa.

Snow also wrote a collection of biographical portraits, “Variety of Men” (1967) and a critical biography “Trollop” (1975). In his book “Corridors of Power” (1964) Snow presented a gallery of people governing Britain and responsible for its fate and policy. He showed their manipulations in the field of atomic energy, the struggle of different parties for power for the manufacture of rockets of a new type. Here he used his own service experience as Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Technology.

Snow collected his public lectures and addresses in a volume “Public Affairs” (1971) where he speaks of himself, on the strength of his scientific interests, political career and that of a novelist as of a bridge between the literary traditional culture and the culture of science.

For his service in industry and government Charles Percy Snow was made a knight in 1957 and a life peer in 1964. Snow is a national pride of Britain rather than of Oxbridge.

Exercise 2.Do the test.

1. When speaking about the universities of Oxford and Cambridge together people want … them from other British universities.

A. to differ; B. to compare; C. to distinguish; D. to identify;

2. Oxford and Cambridge universities date back to …

A. the Ancient times; B. the Middle Ages; C. the Golden Age; D. the nuclear age;

3. To become a student of Oxford or Cambridge one has to take an entrance exam in addition to … .

A. the "11+" exam; B. "AS" Level; C. the General Certificate of Secondary Education; D. "A" levels;

4. Every student has a tutor who … his (her) work

A. does; B. plans; C. writes; D. copies out;

5. The student is also required to submit … the results of his (her) work to the tutor

A. regularly; B. every day; C. once a year; D. at end of the year;

6. Most graduates of Oxbridge are former students of famous … .

A. public schools; B. secondary schools; C. comprehensive schools; D. junior schools;

7. At Oxford the students have to wear a gown on top of their academic dress … .

A. in class; B. when taking exams or being at a degree ceremony;

C. when taking final exams; D. at different parties;

8. The students of Oxford and Cambridge always … with each other.

A. cooperate; B. hate; C. envy; D. compete;

9. Rugby and cricket teams competitions as well as … held each year attract public attention.

A. the Yacht Races; B. the Car Races; C. The Motor Bike Races; D. the Boat Races;

10. The leading crew at the end of four days wins the title Head of the

A. River; B. Lake; C. Town; D. University;

11. A great number of men of letters graduated from Oxford University. For example, …

A. Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937); B. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

C. GordonByron (1788-1824); D. Oscar Wilde (1854-1900);

12. Cambridge university can boast of such world famous graduates as …

A. Philip Larkin (1922-1985), B. Abram Ioffe,

C. Charles Darwin (1809-1882), D. Graham Greene (1904-1991)

13. At Leicester University College Charles Percy Snow took a First Class Honours degree in … in 1927.

A. biology; B. chemistry; C. mathematics; D. literature;

14. Charles Percy Snow took a PhD for research in molecular physics and became … and a tutor teaching physics at Cambridge University.

A. a Student; B. a Post-graduate; C. an Engineer; D. a Fellow;

15. His first novel was a detective story … (1932).

A. “Variety of Men”; B. “Corridors of Power”; C. “Death Under Sail”; D. “Trollop”;

16. In a sequence of eleven novels under the general title of “Strangers and Brothers” (1940-1970) he draws … in scientific, academic and government fields

A. a vast canvas of the British way of life; B. a vast canvas of the students’ life;

C. a vast canvas of the Second World War; D. a vast canvas of the British history;

17. Snow has also written a collection of biographical … .

A. portraits; B. facts; C stories; D. details;

18. Snow collected his public lectures and addresses in a volume … (1971)

A. “Corridors of Power”; B. “Trollop”; C. “Variety of Men”; D. “Public Affairs”;

19. For his service in industry and government Charles Percy Snow was made … in 1957 and a life peer in 1964.

A. a prime minister; B. a president; C. a knight; D. a servant;

20. Snow is a national … of Britain rather than of Oxbridge.

A. joy; B. symbol; C. fame; D. pride;

Text 8

Exercise 1.Read the text and get ready to do the tasks.