EBAU TEXT Dream Big

Big Issue seller always with 'book on the go' wins place at Cambridge 

A former homeless man who spent years selling the Big Issue on the streets of Cambridge has won a place to study English literature at the city’s world-renowned university.

Geoff Edwards, 52, who left school with two O-levels and few ambitions, has begun his studies at Hughes Hall, Cambridge. A lifelong passion for reading, fostered in him by his parents when he was growing up in Liverpool, sustained him through years of itinerant farm work, unemployment, depression and homelessness. Now it has taken him to one of the best universities in the world.

“I can’t say it’s what I always dreamed of because I didn’t really ever think of the university,” he said. “But to have lived in this town for a while, and to get the chance to finally go behind those doors, is a privilege.”

It is a story to warm the hearts of those working in the fraught world of Oxbridge admissions, which has often been the subject of criticism, particularly from the Labour MP David Lammy, who recently claimed Oxford and Cambridge had become less diverse in the last five years rather than more.

Edwards grew up during the Thatcher years when unemployment was high in his home city. His father was a postman and his mother worked in an office. There were always books in the house and from a young age he enjoyed reading.

He said though that he did not like school and he left Birkenhead Institute, in Wirral, with O-levels in mathematics and English language but a U, or “unclassified”, in English literature. With little prospect of work in Liverpool, he left the city with no thought of pursuing his education. “I didn’t know anybody who stayed on or went on to university.”

He worked mainly on farms, in Kent, Gloucestershire, Scotland and Cambridge, camping where he found work and moving on when it ran out, always with a book on the go. When he arrived in Cambridge he began living in squats when possible and on the streets when not, picking up books from libraries and charity shops.

Three years ago, at Cambridge Regional College, he began a gateway course, which then led to an access course, in which he gained distinctions for every subject. His tutor recommended he try for Cambridge and last month he took up his place.

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a) Geoff Edwards was brought up in Cambridge.

b) More students of all kinds are coming to Oxford and Cambridge each year.

c) Some years ago, it was hard to find a job in Liverpool.

d) Geoff Edwards lost interest in books with the time.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

a) What was Geoff Edwards' childhood like?

b) How long did it take him to get into Cambridge University?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) previous (par.1)

b) to encourage (par.2)

c) tense (par.4)

d) expectancy, hope (par.6)

e) to continue (par.6)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose and write the most suitable answer (a, b, c or d) according to the text and COPY the sentence onto your answer sheet

1. He left Liverpool...

a) due to his ambitions.

b) because he did not get along with his parents.

c) in order to get a better life.

d) so as to study at Cambridge university.

2. If he had not lived in Cambridge...

a) he would have lost interest in books.

b) he would not have worked on farms.

c) he would not have sold the Big Issue.

d) he would not have gone back ot study.

3. In spite of his hard life...

a) he has always loved reading.

b) he may refuse his place at Cambridge

c) he has always bought books in shops.

d) he has been in contact with his classmates.

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:

“Studying at university is overrated” What do you think?

KEY

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and

write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a) FALSE “ when he was growing up in Liverpool”

b) FALSE “Oxford and Cambridge had become less diverse in the last five years rather than more.”

c) TRUE “Edwards grew up during the Thatcher years when unemployment was high in his home city.”

d) FALSE” always with a book on the go”

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer these questions in your own words

a) Although his parents had a job, he was brought up in difficult conditions due to the lack of jobs in his city. He left his studies quite early, but he never lost his passion for reading.

b) It took him three years to get into Cambridge University because he had to take two different courses before; then, his tutor advised him to give Cambridge a try since he had excelled at every subject.

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

a) former

b) (to) foster / fostered

c) fraught

d) prospect

e) (to) go on

Question 4: [2 POINTS] Choose the most suitable answer (a, b or c) according to the text.

1. c) in order to get a better life.

2. d) he would not have gone back ot study.

3. a) he has always loved reading.