Can you pass an English test from 1913?

Do you remember the feeling of sitting for an exam? The halls were packed with desks and the sound of clocks ticking was heard. Cambridge University Press and evaluation (CUP&A), one of the UK’s largest exam providers, has been setting papers since the 1850s and its English exams have now been taken by over 100 million people worldwide. But today’s exam is very different from that first paper.

In 1913, three people sat to take the first Cambridge English examinations. They were all teachers and they all failed. But will you? This is one of the questions – you can find the answer at the end.

Justify four of the following sentences giving your reasons:

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

(b) Comparing Shakespeare with Aeschylus, Shakespeare is in no way inferior to Aeschylus.

(c) I confess that I was ready to make peace with you.

(d) The statement was false, as any person familiar with the scene of the incident, and who was familiar with the facts, would admit.

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

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

The examination consisted of a series of papers on phonetics, grammar and translation, which took 12 hours to complete.

“At first, it was a test for a small elite who wanted to study English as an academic subject, like Latin or Ancient Greek,” says Dr Evelina Galazzi, director of research at CUP&A.

“At that time, grammar and translation were considered the most important thing, but now the exam is more about using English to communicate.

“The change was gradual, but in World War II English became a global language and so speaking and pronunciation became more important.

“He was a catalyst for change, and I firmly believe that learning English opens doors.”

By the 1950s, there were requests for English exams to feature translation questions in dozens of different languages, from Arabic to Vietnamese.

Gillian Cook, group archivist at CUP&A, said: “I think the contribution for each language was quite small and so it was probably not cost-effective.

“This may be one of the reasons that the translation paper was removed in the 1970s.”

The Cambridge English exam continues to evolve.

There are now different versions available to suit the needs of schools, higher education and businesses.

“More than 100 million people in 130 countries have now sat our English exams,” says Ian Cook, marketing director of Higher Education.

“They are recognized by over 25,000 organizations – from governments to employers and universities – who use them for immigration purposes.

“For example, some universities in Germany, Sweden and East Asia offer IT and healthcare courses in English to attract the best candidates and so students need to show that they have the language skills to tackle the courses. Is.”

Today, exams are also available digitally and artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to create adaptive tests.

“Simply put, the next question you are asked depends on how well you answered the previous question,” says Mr Cook.

“And as you progress, by presenting a series of slightly more difficult and then easier questions, the technology will help to find out your level.

“Our expertise and research has proven that the more personalized the teaching and testing, the better for students.

“We want people to have confidence, to pass – and show what they are capable of.”

Despite the changes, CUP&A emphasizes that its approach is as much about innovation as it is sustainability.

Dr Galazzi says: “The examiner and the AI ​​work together to mark and set the content for the exam, so we harness the strengths of both human and machine.”

CUP&A says that opinions about correct English grammar have changed, but in 1913, these would be the expected answers:

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

(b) It is a dangling participle. It should have read “Shakespeare is in no way inferior to Aeschylus”. Now we would say “Shakespeare is that good”.

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

(d) “Will believe” not “will believe”.

(e) correct

(f) correct