With 26 British prime ministers, 58 Nobel prize winners, over 150 Olympic medals and a "notable alumni (校友)" list that reads like a historical hall of fame, the institutions of Oxford and Cambridge – collectively known as Oxbridge – are seen, by many, as the dream alma mater (母校).
However, as admission season dawns, and the October 15 deadline for Oxbridge inches ever closer, many students may wonder what makes the UK's top two institutions so special. Why does Oxbridge symbolize the academic dream for so many? Do the universities deserve the reputation they hold in the minds of so many teenagers, parents and academics?
There is no doubt that both Oxford and Cambridge have a long standing history of academic world. Yet, what is often overlooked is the strong reputation of countless other universities in the UK.
A simple click on Google can tell students that the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, for example, has over 18 Nobel Prize winners and 50 world leaders. University College London attracts students from 150 countries and has exchange and research links with nearly 300 overseas universities. Manchester University has the largest student union of all UK universities and boasts alumni such as Niels Bohr and James Chadwick.
I suddenly realized the Oxbridge effect when I was out in London with friends. I met some new people and was surprised by their reaction when I told them I was going to study at Cambridge. One person even got down on one knee and kissed my hand.
From then on, I told people I was going on a gap year. Although I knew that Oxbridge provides a good education, I had never expected to get such extreme reactions. It was this that made me start to feel uncomfortable about the way that Oxbridge is viewed.
The Cambridge Tab, the university's student newspaper, has argued that what makes Cambridge special is the fact that the students are told that they are unique and superior to the rest, so they believe it.
For students applying now, yes, you will receive a world class education at Oxbridge, but you will find the same at numerous other universities throughout the country. Every time you hear about the brilliance of Oxbridge, consider that just because many believe, it does not have to be so.
78. The examples of the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, University College London and Manchester University serve to illustrate the point that _________________________________in the UK.
79. According to the writer’s own experience, we can find that people ___________________ the students at the Oxbridge.
80. How did the writer avoid over-reaction from people to her admission into Cambridge?
______________________________________________________________________
81. According to Cambridge student newspaper, what Cambridge students are viewed by other people?
_______________________________________________________________________
78. there are many other famous universities / countless other universities also have/enjoy strong reputations / are also very famous /are also well known
79. show great respect/admiration for/to/ ; /greatly /extremely respect/admire/envy
80. By telling/She told people she was going on a gap year.
81. They are unique and superior to the rest.