生物科学(Biological Sciences)
Ladybirds are red. So are strawberries. Why?
瓢虫是红的,草莓也是,为什么?
解答提示:
常见的动植物是非常普遍的考点,这道题主要考察你的思辨能力。
Red can signal either 'don't eat me' or 'eat me' to consumers. I'm interested in seeing how applicants attempt to resolve this apparent paradox.
红色既可以向取食者发送“别吃我”的信号,又可以发送“吃我”的信号。这道题考查考生如何解决这个明显的悖论。
计算机科学(Computer Science)
How do pirates divide their treasure?
海盗如何分财宝?
A group of 7 pirates has 100 gold coins. They have to decide amongst themselves how to divide the treasure, but must abide by pirate rules:
7个海盗共有100枚金币,他们必须自行决定如何分财宝,分财宝必须按照如下规则:
The most senior pirate proposes the division.
最年长的海盗提出一个分赃方案。
All of the pirates (including the most senior) vote on the division. If half or more vote for the division, it stands. If less than half vote for it, they throw the most senior pirate overboard and start again.
所有海盗(包括最年长者)进行投票,如果一半或以上的海盗赞同,那结果成立。如果少于一半,他们将最年长者投入大海并重新来过。
The pirates are perfectly logical, and entirely ruthless (only caring about maximizing their own share of the gold).
海盗逻辑性强,而且非常无情(只关注个人所得最大利益)。
So, what division should the most senior pirate suggest to the other six?
所以,最年长的海盗应如何建议把金币分给其他6个海盗?
解答提示:
这是道标准的逻辑考题,同时教授们还将注重你解决问题和沟通能力。
I like to see how students can take directions, and if they can break problems into smaller subsets, and work through a complex concept applying a solution in an algorithmic way. If students have any questions, I want them to ask – not to sit in silence feeling stuck!
这道题关注学生如何跟着引导走,是否能将大问题切分成小问题,用算法方式化解复杂的概念。如有问题,学生应该立即提出,而非闷声冥思苦想。
经济管理(Economics and Management)
Do bankers deserve the pay they receive? And should government do something to limit how much they get?
银行家们的所得与付出是否成正比?政府是否应限制其所得?
解答提示:
这道题反映了一个非常现实的金融问题,解题关键是从经济学角度解读收入,而非考虑公平性问题。
A simple answer might be that since banks are generally private firms and workers are free to work where they wish, then the pay they receive is just the outcome of a competitive labour market.
简单的答案:
一般来讲银行是私人公司,员工能较为自由地自主选择工作地方,因此他们的个人所得是竞争激烈的劳动市场的结果。
英国文学(English Literature)
JK Rowling has published a book for adults after the hugely successful Harry Potter series. In what ways do you think that writing for children is different to writing for adults?
J.K. 罗琳在《哈利·波特》系列大获成功之后又推出了一本面向成人读者的书籍。你认为为孩子们写书和为成人写书有何区别?
解答提示:
没读过这本书也不用慌,考官是想了解你是否是一个爱思考的读书人。
I always want to know that whatever they are reading, candidates are reading thoughtfully and self-consciously, and are able to think as literary critics about all the books they read. I am careful to judge them on what they know, not on what they don't know
我想了解的是,不论考生们读过什么,他们都应该边读边思考,做个有心人,能够像一个文学批评家一样读书。我尽量通过他们知道的事情来评判他们,而非他们不知道的。