3.4 C
Dorset
Sunday, February 16, 2025
HomeDorset EastEducation - Dorset EastEnglish Exam Question From 1913

English Exam Question From 1913

In 1913, three teachers sat down to take the first Cambridge English exam. They all failed. How about you? This is one of the questions:

Correct or justify four of the following sentences, giving your reasons:

(a) I hope you are determined to seriously improve.

(b) Comparing Shakespeare with Aeschylus, the former is by no means inferior to the latter.

(c) I admit that I was willing to have made peace with you.

(d) The statement was incorrect, as any one familiar with the spot, and who was acquainted with the facts, will admit.

(e) It has the largest circulation of any paper in England.

(f) The lyrical gifts of Shakespeare are woven into the actual language of the characters.

The expected answers in 1913 were:

(a) This is a split infinitive, which would have been considered wrong. It should have said “to improve seriously.”

(b) This is a hanging participle. It should have read, “Shakespeare is by no means inferior to Aeschylus”. Now we would say, “Shakespeare is just as good as.”.

(c) Wrong tense. It should be “to make peace”.

(d) “Would admit” not “Will admit”.

(e) Correct

(f) Correct

How did you get on?

To report this post you need to login first.
Dorset Eye
Dorset Eye
Dorset Eye is an independent not for profit news website built to empower all people to have a voice. To be sustainable Dorset Eye needs your support. Please help us to deliver independent citizen news... by clicking the link below and contributing. Your support means everything for the future of Dorset Eye. Thank you.

DONATE

Dorset Eye Logo

DONATE

- Advertisment -

Most Popular