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The Cambridge Union Society was founded in the 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cambridge Union Society was established in 1815, not the 20th century.
The Cambridge Union's structure served as a blueprint for debating societies at institutions like the University of Oxford and Harvard University.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Cambridge Union served as a foundational model influencing other debating societies, the provided information does not state it served as a direct blueprint for institutions like Oxford or Harvard.
The Cambridge Union Society was initially formed due to a shared interest in philosophical discourse among Cambridge students.
Answer: False
Explanation: The society's origins are attributed to a disagreement among members of pre-existing societies, not solely philosophical discourse.
The Cambridge Union was temporarily shut down in 1817 due to suspicions of radical political thought among its members.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cambridge Union was temporarily shut down in March 1817 due to university officials suspecting radical thought among its members.
Following its reopening in 1821, the Cambridge Union was permitted to discuss all topics, including strictly theological matters.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following its reopening in 1821, the Union was initially prohibited from discussing theological matters, with these restrictions later being eased.
The architect responsible for the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street building was the same architect who later designed the Oxford Union building.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises, also designed the Oxford Union building.
Sir Charles Dilke was the president credited with the design of the Bridge Street premises.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sir Charles Dilke is credited as the president chiefly responsible for overseeing the construction of the Bridge Street premises, not as the architect.
Following its reopening in 1821, the Cambridge Union was permitted to discuss all topics, including strictly theological matters.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following its reopening in 1821, the Union was initially prohibited from discussing theological matters, with these restrictions later being eased.
In what year was the Cambridge Union Society established?
Answer: 1815
Explanation: The Cambridge Union Society was established in 1815.
Which other prominent university debating society, besides the Oxford Union, was influenced by the Cambridge Union's model?
Answer: The Yale Political Union
Explanation: The Cambridge Union's structure served as a foundational model for debating societies at institutions such as the Oxford Union and the Yale Political Union.
The Cambridge Union Society's origins are linked to:
Answer: A disagreement among members of pre-existing societies.
Explanation: The Cambridge Union Society's origins are linked to a disagreement among members of pre-existing societies.
What led to the temporary shutdown of the Cambridge Union in March 1817?
Answer: University officials suspecting radical thought and forbidding debates.
Explanation: University officials suspected radical thought among members, leading to the temporary shutdown of the Cambridge Union in March 1817.
What restrictions were imposed on the Cambridge Union after it was permitted to resume debates in 1821?
Answer: Prohibition of discussing political topics relevant to the preceding twenty years.
Explanation: After resuming debates in 1821, the Union faced restrictions, including the prohibition of discussing political topics relevant to the preceding twenty years.
Who designed the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises?
Answer: Alfred Waterhouse
Explanation: Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Oxford Union building, was the architect responsible for the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises.
Which of the following rooms is NOT mentioned as being part of the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises?
Answer: Ballroom
Explanation: The Ballroom is not listed among the rooms within the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises, which include the Keynes Library and Snooker Room.
The Cambridge Union's premises on Bridge Street were designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed which other notable building?
Answer: The Oxford Union building
Explanation: Alfred Waterhouse, the architect of the Cambridge Union's Bridge Street premises, also designed the Oxford Union building.
During World War II, the Cambridge Union building was the only university-connected structure in Cambridge to be directly hit by aerial bombardment.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cambridge Union building sustained damage from aerial bombardment during WWII, being the only university-connected structure in Cambridge to be directly hit.
XXX Corps used the Cambridge Union building in 1944 for planning the D-Day landings.
Answer: False
Explanation: While XXX Corps commandeered the Union building in 1944, the source does not confirm its use for planning the D-Day landings.
An appeal launched in October 1945 to aid the Union's post-WWII rebuilding efforts successfully raised over £3,000.
Answer: True
Explanation: A restoration appeal launched in October 1945 to fund post-WWII rebuilding efforts successfully raised over £3,000.
The Cambridge Union hosted the first university debate ever to be broadcast live on television in 1947.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cambridge Union hosted the first university debate broadcast live on the BBC Third Programme in 1947, not television.
Women were first admitted as full members to the Cambridge Union in 1866.
Answer: False
Explanation: Women were permitted to watch debates from the gallery in 1866, but full membership was not granted until 1965.
Ann Mallalieu, the first female president, significantly boosted Union membership during her term in Michaelmas 1967.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ann Mallalieu of Newnham College served as the first female president in Michaelmas 1967, a term that generated significant publicity and increased membership.
During World War II, the Cambridge Union building suffered damage primarily to its:
Answer: Library
Explanation: During World War II, the Cambridge Union building sustained damage primarily to its library due to aerial bombardment.
What is the rumored role of XXX Corps concerning the Union building during WWII?
Answer: Served as a location for planning Operation Overlord and D-Day preparations.
Explanation: It is rumored that XXX Corps used the Union building in March 1944 for planning Operation Overlord and D-Day preparations.
What significant broadcasting event occurred at the Cambridge Union in 1947?
Answer: The first university debate broadcast live on the BBC Third Programme.
Explanation: On Armistice Day 1947, the Cambridge Union hosted the first university debate believed to be broadcast live on the BBC Third Programme.
When were women first admitted as full members to the Cambridge Union?
Answer: 1965
Explanation: Women were first admitted as full members to the Cambridge Union in 1965, following earlier allowances for them to attend debates.
Who was the first female president of the Cambridge Union, and in which term did she serve?
Answer: Ann Mallalieu, Michaelmas 1967
Explanation: Ann Mallalieu of Newnham College became the first female president of the Cambridge Union in Michaelmas 1967.
The term 'Cambridge Mafia' referred to a group of students who dominated Union politics in the 1960s and often came from privileged backgrounds.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'Cambridge Mafia' described students active in the Union who later held government positions and attended grammar schools; the source does not specify they dominated Union politics in the 1960s or originated from privileged backgrounds.
The 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley focused on the economic disparity in the United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley addressed the motion 'This House Believes The American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro,' not economic disparity.
The Cambridge Union actively promotes 'No Platform' policies for speakers deemed controversial.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cambridge Union emphasizes upholding the universal right to free speech, contrasting its stance with 'No Platform' policies.
The 2016 redevelopment project aimed to increase membership fees to fund building repairs.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2016 redevelopment project aimed to reduce membership fees and increase accessibility, funded by revenue from new facilities.
Lobbying by former Union presidents ensured the Cambridge Union was excluded from the 2015 Counter-Terrorism Bill.
Answer: True
Explanation: Lobbying efforts by former Union presidents successfully ensured the Cambridge Union's exclusion from the 2015 Counter-Terrorism Bill, preserving its ability to host speakers.
The Cambridge Union launched its online public video service, CUS-Connect, in 2015.
Answer: False
Explanation: The online public video service, CUS-Connect, was launched in 2011, not 2015.
The 2015 bicentennial celebrations introduced a service allowing virtual attendees to ask questions during debates.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 2015 bicentennial celebrations introduced a service allowing virtual attendees to ask questions during debates.
The controversy surrounding Germaine Greer in 2015 involved accusations of her promoting positive dialogue with the LGBT+ community.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2015 controversy involving Germaine Greer stemmed from alleged transmisogyny directed towards Rachael Padman, not from promoting positive dialogue with the LGBT+ community.
The Cambridge Union held a referendum in 2015 regarding the hosting of Julian Assange, with the majority voting against his appearance.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2015 referendum concerning Julian Assange's appearance passed with 76.9% of the vote, supporting his hosting, contrary to a majority voting against it.
The term 'Cambridge Mafia' in the 1960s referred to students who:
Answer: Held significant positions in government and often attended grammar schools.
Explanation: The term 'Cambridge Mafia' in the 1960s referred to students active in the Union who later held significant government positions and often attended grammar schools.
The significant 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley addressed which motion?
Answer: This House Believes The American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro
Explanation: The significant 1965 debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley addressed the motion 'This House Believes The American Dream is at the Expense of the American Negro'.
What is the Cambridge Union's stance on the 'No Platform' policy often adopted by other organizations?
Answer: It emphasizes upholding the universal right to free speech, contrasting with 'No Platform' policies.
Explanation: The Cambridge Union emphasizes upholding the universal right to free speech, contrasting its position with 'No Platform' policies.
What was a primary goal of the Union's 2016 redevelopment project regarding membership?
Answer: To reduce membership fees and increase accessibility.
Explanation: The 2016 redevelopment project aimed to reduce membership fees and increase accessibility by generating revenue from expanded facilities.
Which specific bill did the Cambridge Union's lobbying efforts influence in 2015, leading to its exclusion?
Answer: The Counter-Terrorism Bill
Explanation: Lobbying by former Union presidents led to the Cambridge Union's exclusion from the 2015 Counter-Terrorism Bill.
What was the subject of the Cambridge Union's first live-streamed event in May 2011?
Answer: The role of classical music in contemporary youth culture.
Explanation: The Cambridge Union's first live-streamed event in May 2011 featured a debate on the motion 'This House believes that classical music is irrelevant to today's youth'.
What was the outcome of the 2015 referendum concerning Julian Assange's appearance at the Union?
Answer: It passed with 76.9% of the vote, supporting his appearance.
Explanation: The 2015 referendum concerning Julian Assange's appearance passed with 76.9% of the vote, supporting his hosting.
What was the criticism leveled against the Cambridge Union for hosting Mahathir Mohamad in 2019?
Answer: Audience laughter at an anti-Semitic comment made during the event.
Explanation: Criticism arose from Mahathir Mohamad's alleged anti-Semitic remarks, which reportedly elicited laughter from the audience during his 2019 appearance.
The Cambridge Union's stance on free speech often contrasts with which policy commonly adopted by other organizations?
Answer: 'No Platform' policies
Explanation: The Cambridge Union's emphasis on free speech contrasts with 'No Platform' policies often adopted by other organizations.
The Cambridge Union is the largest society within the University of Cambridge.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cambridge Union Society holds the distinction of being the largest society within the University of Cambridge.
Membership in the Cambridge Union is exclusively open to students of the University of Cambridge.
Answer: False
Explanation: Membership is open to all students enrolled at the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University, not exclusively to Cambridge University students.
The Cambridge Union operates as a publicly funded institution, receiving direct financial support from the University of Cambridge.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cambridge Union operates as a self-funded charity and does not receive direct financial support from the University of Cambridge.
The Cambridge Union relies heavily on grants from the National Union of Students (NUS) for its operational budget.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Cambridge Union is self-funded and has historically opposed the 'No Platform' policies of the National Union of Students (NUS), rather than relying on its grants.
The primary managerial body responsible for the Cambridge Union's day-to-day operations is the Board of Trustees.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Standing Committee is identified as the primary managerial body responsible for the Cambridge Union's day-to-day operations, not the Board of Trustees.
What is the primary function of the Cambridge Union Society?
Answer: To organize debates and foster free speech.
Explanation: The Cambridge Union Society's primary function is to organize debates and foster free speech among its members.
Who is eligible to become a member of the Cambridge Union?
Answer: Students enrolled at the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.
Explanation: Membership is open to students enrolled at both the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.
How does the Cambridge Union primarily fund its operations and building maintenance?
Answer: Primarily through membership fees and sponsorships.
Explanation: The Cambridge Union primarily funds its operations and building maintenance through membership fees and sponsorships.
Which body is identified as the primary managerial entity of the Cambridge Union?
Answer: The Standing Committee
Explanation: The Standing Committee is identified as the primary managerial body responsible for the Cambridge Union's day-to-day operations.
What is the role of the Board of Trustees at the Cambridge Union?
Answer: To oversee the Union's long-term financial and property development.
Explanation: The Board of Trustees oversees the Union's long-term financial and property development.
The Cambridge Union's brief affiliation with the National Union of Students (NUS) occurred in which year?
Answer: 1924
Explanation: The Cambridge Union had a brief affiliation with the National Union of Students (NUS) in 1924.
Notable figures such as Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher have addressed the Cambridge Union.
Answer: True
Explanation: Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher are listed among the prominent figures who have addressed the Cambridge Union.
Economist John Maynard Keynes served as a president of the Cambridge Union Society.
Answer: True
Explanation: The economist John Maynard Keynes is identified as a notable past president of the Cambridge Union Society.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a prominent figure who has addressed the Cambridge Union?
Answer: Albert Einstein
Explanation: Albert Einstein is not listed among the prominent figures who have addressed the Cambridge Union, unlike Bill Gates and Stephen Hawking.
Who among the following served as a notable past president of the Cambridge Union?
Answer: Arianna Huffington
Explanation: Arianna Huffington is listed as a notable past president of the Cambridge Union, alongside figures like John Maynard Keynes and Margaret Thatcher.