Mr. Brown (B.): So sorry to have kept you waiting. I was on the phone.
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B.: Well, thats true, but we always find time for visitors from abroad, especially if they are interested in education. I think we can learn a lot from each other. What would you like me to tell you?
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B.: Well, as you know, Cambridge has been transformed into a city known for, and largely dominated by its university which is known worldwide not only for undergraduate learning, but for its scientific research. However Cambridge was a small prosperous market town even 1000 years before students fleeing riots in Oxford arrived there in the early 13-th century to set up what is now the university.
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B.: The city is well known for its many beautiful college building which span a wide number of centuries. The city is moreover still a market town and the county town of Cambridgeshire.
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B.: The first Cambridge college was founded in the late 13-th century by Bishop of Ely, like most of the early colleges, as a religious foundation, whereas the latest college was founded in 1980. Most of colleges, therefore, tend to reflect their early religious associations: Trinity, Saint Johns, etc.
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B.: The suburban outskirts of the city come almost as a shock, even as a relief, sometimes seeming so apparently normal in comparison to the Ivory Tower setting of central Cambridge, which exudes a fairy tale prettiness.
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B.: It is to a college, and not to the university itself that a student will apply. They will live and study there whilst attending departmental lectures provided by the university.
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B.: Admission is therefore determined by interview and is conditional on students attaining certain (very high) grades in their exams at the end of school, at age 18. Contrary to popular belief, admission is not determined by wealth.
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B.: Lectures at Cambridge are relatively few- especially for arts students-since the overall emphasis is on independent study. The focus of study is the supervision, which makes the Cambridge system very unique and admittedly privileged.
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B.: The numerous extra-curricular activities provided by the University Students Union and by College Students Unions enable much-needed and much-recommended escape. All tastes are catered for sport, music and drama, for example, being especially popular. Sport is highly popular. The traditional end of term inter-collegiate races helps to maintain the friendly sense of rivalry between colleges.
C.: .
B.: Well, Im glad Ive been of some help.
Suggestions for interpreting:
1 , .- Thats all right, you neednt worry.
2 - an ancient British seat of learning
3 - conjure up a picture of.
4 - suburban outskirts of the city.
5 -the overall emphasis is on.
6 - - tire smb with many questions.
