4 ms·

I found some Cambridge exam papers from 1899 a while back. I don't have scans, but there's a few of the more interesting/mysterious questions at: http://beebo

• nanijoe 16y ago
  I'm not sure what you find bizarre, having to write an essay or the choice of topics? This type of question is pretty much standard on (high school) English exams in many commonwealth countries, even today.
  • gaius 16y ago
    They have duels in your country?!
    • eru 16y ago
      No, but they are still a topic in fiction / history.
  • mjs 16y ago
    The choice of topics, really. This was for (I think) an entrance exam, and so the only topic I think even vaguely suitable to write about without forewarning is "English country life in the 18th century." The Battle of Blenheim and the character of Rachel Lady Castlewood can only be attempted if you already know about those (very specific) things, and duelling is broad, and odd.
    • Goladus 16y ago
      I don't know whether this is an entrance exam and that would definitely change things. But either way, according to Wikipedia, dueling was a part of British culture though the early 1800s, the last fatal duel was in 1856. Meaning a typical candidate from an elite family in 1899 will have a living relative who has probably at least read public discourse about dueling, and there's a good chance the subject has come up at least once during primary education.
      • sambeau 16y ago
        Scotland's last-ever duel with swords was fought in the same year: 1899. "Swords were drawn and blood was spilled over the election battle of the University Rector." It was in a semi-public place (the Glasgow University Union building) and may have been reported at the time. Thus, duelling may have been in the news at the time. http://www.theguu.com/about/history/ http://www.theguu.com/about/history/
        • sambeau 16y ago
          In a bold attempt to prove myself wrong I offer this other link that suggests that the story (well-known to alumni of Glasgow University, such as myself) may have been a fictional, satirical sketch written for the student magazine. "It found no other mention of the event in contemporary university records, newspapers or court summaries." http://news.scotsman.com/education/Hit-and-myth-Was-Scotlands.2505438.jp http://news.scotsman.com/education/Hit-and-myth-Was-Scotland...
    • notahacker 16y ago
      I guess it's loosely equivalent to an essay topic today on: 1. English city life in the 19th century. 2. The Battle of the Somme 3. The character of Lady Chatterley 4. Apartheid I'd expect that whilst they might seem absurdly dated 100 years from now many contemporary British Cambridge applicants today could confidently write essays on (2), a fair few on (3). I'd be really happy if (4) seemed like an odd subject in 100 years' time.
• joeycfan 16y ago
  'So, you disapprove of my English country life in the 18th century? Honour must be satisfied!' said Rachel Lady Castlewood. They met on the grounds of The battle of Blenheim for the duel. A shot rang out! A figure fell! The end. Am I in? Also - a very good short story involving duelling is at http://miraclejones.blogspot.com/ http://miraclejones.blogspot.com/ This guy is a hella writter.
• dbuxton 16y ago
  Until recently, the Oxford All Souls entrance exam had one paper which was a single word that you had to write about for three hours. I gather that they've dropped it now, I assume because it confirmed for many people that the main thing an Oxford education prepared you for was bullshitting on topics you know nothing about. (Full disclosure: I went to Oxford)
• gcb 16y ago
  how do you measure the hours someone used to write something? i'd have studied decorative calligraphy and spent 2.5 hours on the title.
  • felixc 16y ago
    Presumably you're merely allotted 2.5 hours. How you spend them is up to you, but the resulting essay is graded.