8th grade education
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:16:06 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
"Reggie is Here wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 13:39:37 -0800, "Calif Bill"

wrote:

Email from my 84 year old aunt.

Yeah, right!

http://www.snopes.com/language/document/1895exam.asp

I get that kind of urban legends from my 82 yr old mother all the time.
No matter how many times I tell her if a story comes to her via email,
it is not true, she keeps forwarding them to me.

Here's the thing that bothers me about the Internet.

Nothing in that Snopes article says that the test was false or some
kind of urban legend. Much was made about the relative value of the
test or if the tested information was relevant, useful or of any
value.

From the article:


"To pass this test, no knowledge of the arts is necessary (not even a
nodding familiarity with a few of the greatest works of English
literature)"

Such as? And what exactly would the great works of English literature
have to do with building and expanding the country?

"no demonstration of mathematical learning other than plain arithmetic
is required (forget algebra, geometry, or trigonometry),"

Plain arithmetic is the basis of all mathematics. If one can grasp
basic tenants of arithmetic, one can grasp all else.

"nothing beyond a familiarity with the highlights of American history
is needed (never mind the fundamentals of world history, as this exam
scarcely acknowledges that any country other than the USA even
exists),"

Yeah so? What's the point? Were these people planning on living
anywhere else?

"no questions about the history, structure, or function of the United
States government are asked (not even the standard "Name the three
branches of our federal government")"

I'd really put some money down on whether 90% of graduating high
school students could tell you what bicameral means - with the highest
percentage of them thinking it's some kind of clam.

"science is given a pass except for a few questions about geography
and the rudiments of human anatomy,"

Turn the author's argument around - why was that necessary in 1896?
Science as we know it was still in it's infancy.

"and no competence in any foreign language (living or dead) is
necessary. An exam for today's high school graduates that omitted even
one of these subjects would be loudly condemned by parents and
educators alike, subjects about which the Salina, Kansas, students of
1895 needed know nothing at all."

Specious argument.

The author concluded: "Do we really care these days whether our
educators the feminine's of hero, bachelor and ox?"

Yes and the answer is Heroine, Spinster and Cow.

My larger point is that somehow, because it's on Snopes, it's false.
No, it's not false - it's true. It would have been more important to
say that - yes, that is a true statement, but... and move on to the
relevance according to the author.

With respect to the test:

Fundamentals are important. While I suspect this isn't an 8th grade
test, I would suspect that it's a high school graduation test which
was common in those days. (Something that the educational system is
returning to, by the way.)

I could answer about 90% of the total test without reference my
weakest area being grammar.

And I'm an old fart with reading problems when I was younger.

Oh, I'm almost in rant territory.

Well, EEEXXXCCCCCUUUUUUSSSSEEEE MMMMMEEEEEEE!!!!

~~ mutter ~~

Sorry.

No sorry about it. I did not go to the Snopes site as I am a sucker and
believed the part about it not being true. So I went to Snopes and lo and
behold, you are very correct in that they did not say the test was not true.
Only going on about what was tested. Along with Tom, I get ****ED at the
educational system these days. I went into a fast food restaurant a couple
of years ago and figured out I had a couple of pennies after the clerk rang
up the sale. Would round out the change to an even amount. Shut down the
line. The guy finally unlocked his brain, and said, to late to change the
amount. White kid about 19. Odd thing is I see the Hispanic kids seem to
be able to make change. Maybe they still got the basic math without
calculator in grammar school. The exit exam for High School in California
covers up to a 10th grade level. Huge amount of kids can not pass the exit
exam, so they take it multiple times and get tutoring on the test. Sad
commentary on the state of education in this country and my state. When you
get Jay Leno sending a person out to the local shopping mall and Burbank is
not downscale area, and you see the softball questions that can not be
answered. Money to the schools is not the answer.
Prime example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUP9Jm9SqvY

8th grade education
 

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 16:41:05 -0800, "Calif Bill"
wrote:

The guy finally unlocked his brain, and said, to late to change the
amount. White kid about 19. Odd thing is I see the Hispanic kids seem to
be able to make change.

You have to wonder why it is that a Pakastani, Indian or Hispanic who
can barely speak English can make change and understand what you mean
with you say "I've got the .19¢" and give you back exact change, but
some white kid fresh out of high school looks at you like your stupid.

8th grade education
 

On Feb 5, 1:39�pm, "Calif Bill" wrote:


Well that test may or may not be bogus, but here are some sections of
a test that 12-year-old 6th Graders were expected to pass in British
Columbia just over 100 years ago. Those who failed to pass the test
were not permitted to advance to "higher education"


Based on the BC material, it is very believable that Kansas students
may have been expected to pass a test similar to that posted by Calif
Bill.


Source: http://www.mala.bc.ca/homeroom/Conte...ns/summary.htm

and:

http://www.mala.bc.ca/homeroom/Content/Lessons/geog.htm


*********

High School Entrance Exam - Midsummer, 1890

GEOGRAPHY

1. Distinguish between the following:

(a) Latitude and longitude
(b) Equator and ecliptic
(c) Rotation and revolution

2. Why are the days and nights always equal at the equator?


3. Account for the succession of the seasons.


4. Describe the largest river flowing in an easterly direction in each
of the Grand Divisions of land.


5. Name five lakes of Switzerland and five capes of South America.


6. What city is near the mouth of each of the following rivers:

a. Ottawa d. Elbe
b. St. Maurice e. Liffey
c. Columbia ...

7. Locate and define:

a. Bras d'Or d. Niphon
b. Maracaybo e. Biafra
c. Messina f. Hercules

8. What four cities are situated on Puget Sound?


9. Name five islands in the Gulf of Georgia


10. Draw an outline map of Europe or Asia, indicating the principal
mountain chains and rivers


*************

High School Entrance Exam - Midsummer, 1890


WRITTEN ARITHMETIC

1. Define concrete number, aliquot part, finite decimal, present
worth and ratio.

2. Simplify: (6/7 of 1 1/4 of 14/15 + 3 1/2 of 2 10/21 - 2 2/3) x 3
6/7

3. Three men, A, B, and C, start together from the same place to walk
around an island 60 miles in circumference; they walk in the same
direction, A at the rate of 5 miles per hour, B at 4, and C at 3. In
what time will all be together for the first time after starting, and
how many miles will each have travelled?

4. If 5 tons of coal are equal to 9 cords of wood for fuel, and a
family burns 31. 5 cords of wood in a year, how much will be saved by
changing from wood to coal, when wood is worth $4.25 per cord and coal
$6.80 per ton?

5. If a family of 9 people can live comfortably in England for
$7,862.40 per year, what will it cost a family of 8 to live in Canada
in the same style for 7 months, prices being supposed to be 3/5 of
what they would be in England?

6. Find the compound interest on $500 for 1 year 6 months at 8% per
annum, interest payable semi-annually.

7. What is the present worth of $600 due 8 mos. 18 days hence @ 9% per
annum.

MENTAL ARITHMETIC

1. What will 3 1/2 cwt. of hay cost @ $25 per ton?

2. If 5 1/2 yards cost $.77, what will 4 2/7 yards cost?

3. Write a decimal equal in value to a unit.

4. What is the first prime number below 100?

5. What will 225 hats cost @ $.66 2/3 each?

6. If 3/8 of a ton cost $13.50, what will 5/9 of a ton cost?

7. What is the simple interest on $1, 250 for 2 years 8 months @ 2/3%
per month?

8. What part of 2/3 of 3 1/2 is 5/9 of 4 1/2?

9. What is the brokerage on half a million dollars @ 1/8% ?

10. What is the true discount on $620, due 2 years 8 months hence at
9% per annum?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

High School Entrance Exam - Midsummer, 1890


COMPOSITION

1. Write interrogative sentences as follows:
(a.) That cannot be answered by yes or no.
(b.) That does not require an answer.
(c.) That is not introduced by a pronoun.


2. What is tautology?


3. Give synonyms for safe, brave, and diligent.


4. When should we use the abbreviations inst., ult., and prox.?


5. Distinguish between the following:


cruel crewel
stake steak
signet cygnet
cession session
pomace pumice


6. Write a composition on one of the following subjects:


(a.) Truth
(b.) Time-pieces
(c.) Industry
(d.) Our School
(e.) Summer Sports

8th grade education
 

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

3. Give synonyms for safe, brave, and diligent

Well, goes without saying...

Me, me and me. :)

8th grade education
 

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:


2. What is tautology?

What's even more intersting is that I probably the only person who
actually uses that word in conversation. :)

8th grade education
 

On Feb 5, 5:32�pm, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould

wrote:
3. Give synonyms for safe, brave, and diligent

Well, goes without saying...

Me, me and me. �:)

Nobody asked for the antonym of "modest". :-)

8th grade education
 

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

I'll give this a try.

5. Distinguish between the following:


cruel crewel

Pain/distress - yarn

stake steak

Vampire - food

signet cygnet

Ring - Swan

cession session

Give up - assembly

pomace pumice

Cider - volcanic stone.

How'd I do?

8th grade education
 

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:36:55 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

On Feb 5, 5:32?pm, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould

wrote:
3. Give synonyms for safe, brave, and diligent

Well, goes without saying...

Me, me and me. ?:)

Nobody asked for the antonym of "modest". :-)

That would also be me.

And while I'm at it, I might as well add trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, clean, and reverent.

That just about covers it. :)

8th grade education
 

On Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:39:58 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

I'll give this a try.

5. Distinguish between the following:


cruel crewel

Pain/distress - yarn

stake steak

Vampire - food

signet cygnet

Ring - Swan

cession session

Give up - assembly

pomace pumice

Cider - volcanic stone.

How'd I do?

You're getting almost as good as Harrold!
--
John H

8th grade education
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:36:55 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould
wrote:

On Feb 5, 5:32?pm, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Tue, 5 Feb 2008 17:28:04 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould

wrote:
3. Give synonyms for safe, brave, and diligent

Well, goes without saying...

Me, me and me. ?:)

Nobody asked for the antonym of "modest". :-)

That would also be me.

And while I'm at it, I might as well add trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, clean, and reverent.

That just about covers it. :)

Us Eagle Scouts recognize that you left out obedient and brave. :-)