Text 6 Science in Britain.

Learned societies and independent scientific institutions play a large

part in promoting the sciences in Britain, although they do very little

actual research.

Most pure research is conducted in the universities, which also play

an essential part in maintaining the supply of trained specialists. The

learned societies play an important part in the discussion and publication

of the results of research.

At present there are over 900 learned scientific societies in Britain

with approximately 400 scientific publications.

During the recent years there has been a considerable expansion of

scientific and technological training and research within the universities.

Most universities have the faculties of engineering, some of them

Including chemical, aeronautical and production engineering. Universities

in industrial centers have long been known for studies relating to their

local industries. All universities and university colleges have laboratories

or research departments.

The past ten years have seen appreciable expansion of research in human sciences, including anthropology, sociology and psychology.

The traditional method of scientific publication, in which results are written in papers and published in journals, is still the main means of communication among scientists. The leading learned societies have for long been important agencies for communicating scientific information. The most eminent of the learned societies are:

The Royal Society which was founded in 1660. Its present activities include the holding of the scientific meetings, publication of research work, mainly in the “Philosophical Transactions” and the “Proceedings,” the delivery of lectures, the presentation of medals. Although an independent corporation, the Society has always had a special relationship with the government.

The Royal Society of Arts which was founded in 1754. Its principal object has been to promote the progress of all departments of science. It deals with scientific, artistic technical, industrial and commercial problems. The society regularly holds meetings and publishes a monthly journal.

The British Association for the Advancement of Science which was founded in 1831 to promote general interest in science and its application. One of its chief activities is the annual meetings attended by many young students as well as by eminent scientist. Its 14 sections cover the whole range of pure and applied sciences and there is a division for studying the social and international relations of science.

Text 7. The University of Cambridge

Listen to the text and check up your understanding with the tasks given after the text.

The University of Cambridge was founded in the twelfth century. It was formed on the model of European continental universities, in particular that of Paris. Until the fifteenth century the history of Cambridge was not as significant as that of, Oxford. But by the end of the seventeenth century the University was the home of Sir Isaac Newton—professor of mathematics from 1669 till 1702 whose influence was deep and permanent. At that time serious tests were offered to the candidates for degrees. During the early part of the nineteenth century examinations were greatly improved and writ­ten examinations were more often used than oral ones.

At the same time a number of laboratories for natural sciences, among them the Cavendish Laboratory were built there. The Cavendish Laboratory organized by the well-known Scottish mathematician and physicist Maxwell was opened in 1871. It was named after the English scientist of the 18th century Sir Henry Cavendish.

Today it is one of the greatest physical laboratories known throughout the world. Research is becoming increasingly international and the Laboratory is widening its contacts with the leading research centers in other countries.

1. The University of Cambridge was founded

a. by Isaac Newton in the 17th century.

b. by Sir Henry Cavendish after the Laboratory had been built.

c. in the twelfth century.

2. It was founded according to

a. the model of Oxford University.

b. the model of European continental universities.

c. the plan of Isaac Newton.

3. Cambridge University

a. was as significant as Oxford from the very beginning of its foundation.

b. was not very significant at the time of its foundation.

c. was not very significant until the laboratories for natu­ral science had been built.

4. The Cavendish Laboratory was named after Sir Henry Cavendish because

a. it was founded by him.

b. was founded by Isaac Newton.

c. was organized by Maxwell.

5. The Cavendish Laboratory is known throughout the world because

a. Maxwell and Cavendish worked there.

b. it is more than one hundred years old now.

c. it is one of the greatest and leading physical laboratories where serious

research work is being conducted.

6. It was due to ... that Cambridge University became significant.

a. Sir Henry Cavendish

b. Isaac Newton

c. the establishment of the famous Cavendish Laboratory

7. ft was ... for a candidate to receive a degree at the time of Isaac Newton.

a. easy

b. difficult

c. impossible

8. Candidates for degrees had to

a. write serious tests.

b. pass oral examinations.

c. work in one of the laboratories of the University.