Luke submitted Tonbridge's Oxbridge candidates to some demanding scenario-based questions to stretch their problem solving and to help them apply their knowledge of specialist subject areas.

Some of the questions Luke asked our current 6th formers are listed below. For those interested, give the problems a crack! Answers can be posted in the comments feed under this article.

Philosophy 1: If someone were to transplant your brain into someone else's body, would you still call that new person you?

Philosophy 2: Imagine you are a soul waiting in heaven to be given a life. An angel offers you a choice of two lives. The angel offers you a life of a composer who will produce some fantastic pieces of music very successfully, but lead a short life, passing away at the age of 25 years old. Alternatively, the angel gives you the option of a life as an oyster, the only real experience it has is a mild sensual pleasure, like being in a warm bath. Which type of life would you choose?

Philosophy 3: Can machines know anything?

Politics 1: What advice would you give to someone planning to stage a revolution in a developing country?

Politics 2: What makes a country strong?

Economics 1: Quote from Good Will Hunting - “You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library.” If you can get an education at a library, why pay to go to University?

Economics 2: Does inflation cause wage growth?

Luke Masters (PH 13-18) speaks about helping the sixth formers this term with their important preparations for Oxbridge Interviews and the importance of giving back.

I sincerely appreciated all the opportunities I had at Tonbridge, which would not have been possible for me, without a bursary. 

Certainly, my chance to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Corpus Christi, Oxford, is a direct result of being pushed academically and personally at Tonbridge, which helped me develop wholly as a person. 

I have fantastic memories from school, not least in trying things outside my comfort zone such as acting in school plays and overcoming my fear of public speaking in the Park House debating team.

I am really enjoying my time at Oxford and I’m delighted to be able to do what I can to help prepare current boys at Tonbridge for their upcoming Oxbridge interviews.

Luke Masters - Dec 2020