The Billie Jean King Cup has a new part-owner: Billie Jean King
The Billie Jean King Cup has a new part-owner: Billie Jean King herself
1970-01-01 08:00
This Cambridge exam question is still baffling people 110 years after it was first published
A 110-year-old English language question formerly used in Cambridge English exams is absolutely baffling people over a century later. Exams at school and university are typically not things people look back on with fond memories, but it’s something we do in order to progress academically. For those who sat the very long Cambridge exam wishing to become an English language teacher back in 1913, they may well have been haunted by a question that continues to confuse people in the year 2023. In celebration of 110 years of the Cambridge English exam, the question has been released, but can you solve it? The question comes from the June 1913 Certificate of Proficiency in English exam, which was sat by three people and cost £3 at the time. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter It was a gruelling 12-hour long exam and included sections on dictation, translation, and phonetic transcription. Today, more than 6 million people each year take the C2 Proficiency test, as it is now known. Francesca Woodward, Managing Director for English at Cambridge, said in a statement: “From just three candidates, we now open doors for millions of people every year to learn and teach English. "The historical papers from our archives paint a fascinating picture of how much has changed when it comes to learning English with Cambridge.” The question asks the candidates to “correct or justify” four of six different statements and to explain their reasoning. The first statement said: “I hope you are determined to seriously improve.” The second read: “Comparing Shakespeare with Aeschylus, the former is by no means inferior to the latter.” The third says: “I admit I was willing to have made peace with you.” The fourth reads: “The statement was incorrect, as any one familiar with the spot, and who was acquainted with the facts, will admit.” The fifth said: “It has the largest circulation of any paper in England.” And the sixth said: “The lyrical gifts of Shakespeare are woven into the actual language of the characters.” Cambridge highlights that what was deemed the correct English over 100 years ago may be different from now. Here are the answers: 1) This is a split infinitive and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct wordage would be, “seriously to improve”. 2) This statement is incorrect because it is a hanging participle and unintentionally modifies the wrong noun in a sentence. Alternatives that would be correct include, “Shakespeare is by no means inferior to Aeschylus” or “Shakespeare is just as good as Aeschylus”. 3) This statement uses the wrong tense and should read, “to make peace”. 4) Again, this uses the incorrect tense. The words “will admit” should instead be “would admit”. 5) and 6) are correct but candidates would have to explain why no changes are necessary. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Michael Jordan's sale of majority ownership of Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall is finalized
The Charlotte Hornets have announced that the sale of the majority stake in the franchise from six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall has been finalized
1970-01-01 08:00
What to Watch on Paramount+ With Showtime in August 2023
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1970-01-01 08:00
US services sector slows in July while prices pick up, ISM survey shows
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1970-01-01 08:00
Moderna Raises Covid Shot Sales Guidance on Japan, US Pacts
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1970-01-01 08:00
USA Gymnastics to expand its partnership with Nike, a sign it's gaining trust in the post-Nassar era
USA Gymnastics and Nike have reached an agreement on a sponsorship deal that will carry through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
1970-01-01 08:00
Stock market today: Wall Street falls again as its big rally cools some more
Stocks are falling again as Wall Street’s red-hot rally this year cools a bit more
1970-01-01 08:00
Marc Maron thinks men who have a problem with the 'Barbie' movie are 'insecure babies'
Marc Maron has a lot to say about "Barbie."
1970-01-01 08:00
5 second-year NBA players ready to take the leap this season
The 2023 NBA Draft class was loaded with talent but not every rookie popped in their first season. Which second-year players will take a leap in 2023-24?The 2022 NBA Draft class was loaded with talent. Paolo Banchero and Bennedict Mathurin had big rookie seasons. Banchero became the first rookie...
1970-01-01 08:00
US productivity surges in second quarter; labor costs growth slows
WASHINGTON U.S. worker productivity rebounded sharply in the second quarter, helping to curb growth in labor costs and
1970-01-01 08:00
Vince McMahon subpoenaed in sexual misconduct investigation
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1970-01-01 08:00
