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Cambridge University shares 110-year-old English exam test. Can you ace it?

A post shared by Cambridge University on Instagram has intrigued people and left them surprised. It shows an English question paper from 1913.

Published on: Jul 26, 2023, 14:56:53 IST
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Languages change over time and what people know now could be different from what was common centuries ago. Giving a glimpse of the bygone era, Cambridge University shared an amazing piece of history. They posted a part of an English exam test that was first published in 1913. Not just that, they also urged the public to take a chance and solve this 110-year-old paper. Are you up for it?

The image shows a question paper for English from 1913. (Instagram/@cambpressassess)
The image shows a question paper for English from 1913. (Instagram/@cambpressassess)

The official Instagram page of Cambridge University Press & Assessment shared the amazing post on the anniversary of 110 years of @cambridgeenglish exams that they celebrated last month. “In June 1913, three candidates in the UK took the first ever 'C2 Proficiency' English exam, which at the time was known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English. The exam, which cost candidates £3, was very different compared to what it is today. In 1913, it was a 12-hour exam which included translation, dictation and phonetic transcription. The first exams were taken by people who wanted to become English language teachers,” the university wrote as a part of the post’s caption. In the next line, they challenged netizens and posted, “Have you got what it takes to answer a 110-year-old English exam question?”

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Take a look at this English question paper from 1913:

Was the question paper easy to solve? Or did it leave you scratching your head? As for netizens, they took to the comments section of the post to share varied answers.

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What did Instagram users say about the 110 year old English test paper?

“Loved it! Though I'm not proficient in English, evidently,” wrote an Instagram user. “Loved it,” posted another. “Correcting is easy. Justifying, on the other hand, is a good way to comprehend language awareness of learners,” shared a third.

The post was shared last month on June 9. Since being shared, it has received close to 400 likes. What are your thoughts on this English exam paper from 1913? Did the 100-year-old test paper leave you stunned?

  • Trisha Sengupta
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    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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