VWO 3 Unit 6 (20 June 23/24)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

TODAY

SKILLS: reading

Introduction to Unit 6

GOAL:

Students know what ‘Oxbridge’ means and practise intensive reading.

Unit 6 - England: "Oxbridge"

"Oxbridge"

OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE

Oxbridge

........... is a word that is often used to describe the two oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK: Oxford and Cambridge. 

Although the universities themselves are both more than eight centuries old, the term Oxbridge was first used in a novel published in 1850.

 In the novel, it is the name of the fictional university that the main character studies at. 

Today the term has a bit of a negative ring to it: people use it as a way to say that something or somebody is elitist or, for example, feels they are better than the rest of the world.

What makes Oxford and Cambridge special?

READING + QUIZ

A...

What Makes Oxford and Cambridge Special?

A key difference that sets them apart from other universities is their style of teaching. Apart from faculty lectures, classes and – depending on the course – lab work, there are very small group sessions, called tutorials (Oxford) or supervisions (Cambridge), where experts from the field share their experience with students and challenge them to expand their knowledge. According to students, they're a really good, hands-on experience, but there's nowhere to hide if you don't know what you're talking about!

B...

Oxford University consists of more than forty colleges, while Cambridge has more than thirty – and each of the roughly 45,000 Oxbridge students belongs to one of them. Each college is a mini-campus, with student accommodation, common rooms, libraries, computer rooms, sports facilities and clubs. Each college has their own, unique atmosphere, from the grandeur of Trinity College, Cambridge, to the liberal and modern Wadham College, Oxford.

C...

Oxford and Cambridge both have a number of historic traditions – some of which could be considered bizarre. For example, there are formal ceremonies for which students wear gowns, including matriculation (joining the university), graduation, and formal dinners. Moreover, you wear a different flower for every exam, usually a carnation. For your first exam you wear a white flower, for the middle exams a pink flower, and for your last exam a red flower. Be prepared, too, for a ‘trashing’ at the end of your exams. That's when a student comes out of their last exam and you throw things at them. It used to be flour, but now it's any kind of food.

D...

The University of Oxford, founded in 1096, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Teaching at the University of Cambridge dates back to 1209. In the World University Rankings, Cambridge and Oxford are solidly in the top-10. Notable alumni are too many to list – but they include Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Alan Turing at Cambridge, and J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar Wilde and Margaret Thatcher at Oxford.

Based on: www.telegraph.co.uk

Quiz

What does Oxbridge refer to?

Which University is older?

1. Cambridge
2. Oxford

Does Oxford have more colleges than Cambridge?

1. Yes, Oxford has more colleges
2. No, Cambridge has more colleges.

Are Oxford and Cambridge both on the River Thames?

1. Yes
2. No. Cambridge is on the River Cam.
3. No. Oxford is on the River Oxford.

Has Cambridge produced more scientists than Oxford?

1. Yes
2. No

Is the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race the same length as an Olympic race?

1. Yes
2. No, it is twice as long as an Olympic race.
3. No, it is twice longer than than an Olympic race
4. No, it is three times longer than an Olympic race.

Is it true that to become a student at Oxford or Cambridge, you need a long interview?

1. No, only Oxford candidates needs an interview.
2. No, only Cambridge candidates needs an interview.
3. Yes, there is a long interview for all candidates
4. No, interview is an optional request for all candidates

TASK

Pairwork: Exercise 5

Use lessonup for your quiz.