Comprehensive reading 2 cambridge university

The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world. Academically, Cambridge is consistently ranked in the world’s top five universities. It has traditionally been an academic institution of choice of the Royal Family and has produced 83 Nobel Laureates, more than any other university in the world according to some counts. The application system to Cambridge and Oxford often involves additional requirements, with candidates typically called to face-to-face interviews. How applicants perform in the interview process is an important factor in determining which students are accepted. Most applicants are expected to be predicted at least three A-grade A-level qualifications relevant to their chosen undergraduate course, or equivalent overseas qualifications.

The principal method of teaching at Cambridge colleges is the supervision. These are typically weekly hour-long sessions in which small groups of students – usually between one and three – meet with a member of the university’s teaching staff or a doctoral student. Students are normally required to complete an essay or assignment in advance of the supervision, which they will discuss with the supervisor during the session, along with any concerns or difficulties they have had with the material presented in that week’s lectures.

In addition to a long and distinguished tradition in mathematics and the sciences, Cambridge University has educated 15 British Prime Ministers, including Robert Walpole (First Prime Minister of Great Britain). At least twenty-three Heads of State or Heads of Government have attended Cambridge University, including three Prime Ministers of India, two Prime ministers of Singapore, Stanley Bruce (Prime Minister of Australia) and Margrethe II of Denmark.

Task 4. Find the words in the text which mean:

1. short piece of writing by a student as a part of a course of study;

2. connected with education, especially at college or university level;

3. a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out whether they are suitable for a job, course of study, etc;

4. an examination in a particular subject taken in schools in England and Wales, usually at the age of 18;

5. coming from or happening abroad;

6. the process of being in charge of a group of workers or students and be responsible for making sure that they do their work properly;

7. someone who has formally asked, usually in writing, for a university place;

8. very successful and therefore respected and admired;

9. a student who is doing a university course for the first degree;

10. a meeting or a period of time used for a particular purpose, especially by a group of people.

Task 5. Match the verbs below with the synonyms and antonyms from the lists given.

1. Predict – ignore, foretell, foresee, disbelieve, prophesy.

2. Rank – estimate, rate, confuse, list, disarrange.

3. Involve – cancel, contain, include, separate.

4. Perform – avoid, act, destroy, operate.

5. Attend – hide, visit, go to, accompany.

6. Require – hold, want, need, ask, possess.