Text 2 Oxford University
Oxford is a beautiful town on the river Thames about fifty miles from London. Some people say it is more beautiful than any other city in England.
Oxford University was founded in the 12th century as an aristocratic university and has remained so to the present day. The University consists of 32 colleges – 27 colleges for men and 5 colleges for women. There are 16 faculties there. Each college is completely autonomous body, governed by its own laws. A large collage has about 500 students, a small one – about a hundred. Several colleges say they are the oldest, but no college is as old as Merton, which began in 1264.
The term of studies lasts for 10 weeks. There are three terms in the Oxford academic year.
Within the first week the freshman meets his tutor who tells the student about his plans, the lectures which he must take, about the requirements for the examination which he will take, about the course of reading for him. Attendance at lectures is not compulsory. Once every week each undergraduate goes to his tutor’s room to read out an essay which he has written and discuss this essay with the tutor.
At the beginning or end of each term the progress of the students is tested by the college examination.
They pay great attention to athletics at the University. The students are engaged in different kinds of sports, take part in competitions between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
This is how a student spends his day. His working hours are from 9 to 1. At 9 o’clock he sees his tutor or goes to the library, or attends lectures. From 2 to 5 he is engaged in sports and all kinds of exercise. From 5 to 7 he works in the library or laboratory. At 7 o’clock they have dinner-time. After dinner the students have club activities.
By 10 o’clock the students must be in the college, as most of students live in the college, only some of them live in lodgings in the town.
The doors of Oxford University are not open to all. The majority of the students are graduates of private schools, so Oxford University remains an aristocratic university to the present day.
Vocabulary
freshman – первокурсник
remain – оставаться
govern – управлять
term – семестр
term of studies – срок обучения
academic year – учебный год
last (for) – длиться
tutor – в английских университетах это преподаватель, ведущий практические занятия в группе; он следит за учебой и дисциплиной студентов
requirements – требования
attend (attendance) – посещать (посещение)
compulsory – обязательный
undergraduate – студент
progress – успехи (успеваемость)
pay attention to – уделять внимание (чему-либо)
be engaged in – заниматься чем-либо
take part in – принимать участие в …
take club activities – участвовать в работе кружка
live in lodgings – снимать комнату
majority – большинство
Ex. 2. Choose the correct variant and read the sentence.
Oxford University was founded (in the 11th century; in the 12th century).
The University consists of (32; 27) colleges.
The Oxford academic year consists of (3; 2) terms.
4. The tutor tells the freshman about ( the requirements for the examinations which he will take; the undergraduates of the University).
5. (Once a term; twice a term) the undergraduates take examinations.
6. Attendance at lectures is (compulsory; not compulsory).
7. (At the end of the term; once every week) each student reads out his essay to his tutor and discusses it with him.
8. During the working day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. a student (meets his tutor, works in the library or in the laboratory; has club activities, debating societies).
9. The majority of the students of Oxford University are (children of the working people; children of the wealthy).
Ex. 3. Answer the questions.
Where is Oxford University situated?
When was Oxford University founded?
How many colleges are there in Oxford University? And faculties?
What is the oldest College in Oxford University?
Do they pay great attention to athletics at the University?
How many terms are there in the Oxford academic year?
What is the subject of the conversation between the freshman and his tutor during their first meeting?
In what way do they test the progress of the students? (At the eng of each term; every week)
How does the student spend his working day?
Are the doors of Oxford University open to all?
Ex. 4. Translate into English.
Оксфордский университет был основан в XII столетии.
Он был и остается аристократическим университетом.
Университет состоит из 32 колледжей.
Каждый колледж – это самостоятельная организация.
В учебном году Оксфорда 3 семестра.
В первую неделю первокурсник встречается со своим преподавателем-наставником, который рассказывает ему о лекциях, которые он должен посещать, о требованиях к экзаменам; он дает ему задание на неделю.
Каждую неделю студент приходит к преподавателю и зачитывает ему свою работу и обсуждает ее вместе с ним.
Посещение лекций необязательно.
В начале или конце каждого семестра студенты сдают экзамены.
Рабочий день студента начинается в 9 часов.
Он посещает лекции, работает в лаборатории или библиотеке, встречается с преподавателем.
Много времени студенты уделяют спорту.
Большинство студентов Оксфорда – выпускники частных школ.