8th grade education

[chrisb691]

Just received this today via email, and it's a real eye opener with respect to our education system today. Seems that we might be worse off now, than in 1895.

Grade 8 Graduation in 1895!

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895 ...
Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas , USA . It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

　
　
　
8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS - 1895
　
Grammar (Time, one hour)
　

1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'
5. Define case; illustrate each case.
6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

　
　
　
Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)
　

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5 Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

　
　
　
U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)
　

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus ..
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas .
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

　
　
　
Orthography (Time, one hour)
　
1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
5 Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.

　
Geography (Time, one hour)
　

1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco ..
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.

Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?

Also shows you how poor our education system has become!

[jimbur]

The amazing thing is that many Americans nowadays would have problems picking out countries on a map - even ones they have invaded. Perhaps I'm being unfair and presidential hopefuls aren't typical.
Cheers,
Jim

[Poppa]

With the use of Excel and google I reckon I could at least pass that exam, provided they'd let me type my answers in Word because my handwriting is just about illegible.

What's that you say, no internet or computers in those days??? Then I guess I'd fail...:)

[Manuka Jock]

The amazing thing is that many Americans nowadays would have problems picking out countries on a map - even ones they have invaded. Perhaps I'm being unfair and presidential hopefuls aren't typical.
Cheers,
Jim

:U go Jimbo :2tsup:

[Woodwould]

Hands up any Americans who comprehend understand all the questions.

[Sparhawk]

Snopes has a great reply:snopes.com: 1895 Exam (http://www.snopes.com/language/document/1895exam.asp)

[Manuka Jock]

Fair play to Snopes :2tsup:

[Dave50]

yeah! I thought that when I seen this ..."What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?"""

$20 per metre? didn't sit right!!!

[switt775]

Good to remember that passing an exam consists mainly of memorising a bunch of facts, or in the case of maths, understanding how to solve a problem. So predictably the maths questions are based on scenarios most kids today wouldn't identify with but the skills to solve them are the same as today. Substitute questions based on ebay purchases or number of text messages, and they'd work it out.

As for the fact based questions, it's true most kids (adults too) would have trouble with them, but only because they weren't taught these particular facts.

For me the more interesting point is seeing how much that was considered important 100+ years ago is deemed irrelevant today.

[Manuka Jock]

yeah! I thought that when I seen this ..."What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?"""

$20 per metre? didn't sit right!!!
The original has $20 per inch .
In 1895 .... I wonder what sort of wood it was ? :)

[AlexS]

Maybe it's an indication of my age, but I was taught most of those things apart from the American history, and reckon I could still take a fair stab at them.

[snowyskiesau]

The amazing thing is that many Americans nowadays would have problems picking out countries on a map - even ones they have invaded. Perhaps I'm being unfair and presidential hopefuls aren't typical.
Cheers,
Jim

War is God's way of teaching Americans geography - Ambrose Bierce (http://www.wjffradio.org/FolkPlus/setlists/011215.html)

[artme]

Well may we poke fun at our American cousins, but I dare say that many Australians are in the same boat!

Still, it does make you wonder when in New York an American asks what the name of that there Beautiful building is -- referring to that most beautiful of all Art Deco buildings, The Chrysler Building!!!!:doh:

[Carry Pine]

Maybe it's an indication of my age, but I was taught most of those things apart from the American history, and reckon I could still take a fair stab at them.

Alex,

Then why the comma before the conjunctions (but) (and)?

(Please don't kick me off the Forum for being picky!)

Graham

[chrisb691]

Alex,

Then why the comma before the conjunctions (but) (and)?

(Please don't kick me off the Forum for being picky!)

Graham
Add a comma after 'apart' and the other comma is correct (I think). :)

[jimbur]

War is God's way of teaching Americans geography - Ambrose Bierce (http://www.wjffradio.org/FolkPlus/setlists/011215.html)

Nice one Geoff. But are all those refresher courses really necessary:D
Cheers,
Jim

[Carry Pine]

It's strange how we have those rules as in no comma before a conjunction. I wonder who decided that?
Interesting that in the 8th grade test they mentioned 'complex sentences'. Now they have resurfaced with the BST and NAPLAN tests but in 30+ years of teaching 'complex sentences' were not even thought of.

Graham
(I hope Alex has forgiven me by now)

[RETIRED]

Ahem. Alex is actually right according to this.:wink::D

www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/students/factsheets/comma.pdf
<cite>
</cite><cite></cite>

[snowyskiesau]

I put my knowledge of geography down to the pull down charts that were used at school (no AV in my day!).
Most of these world charts were pretty old and covered in pink areas that represented the British Empire - as it once was.
The rule seemed to be, if it's pink, you're going to learn about it. :)

[Manuka Jock]

.. and that the Miss Universe competition had no extra-terrestrial contestants:D
cheers,
Jim

Some of the contestants sound as if they come from another planet though :rolleyes:

[jimbur]

Some of the contestants sound as if they come from another planet though :rolleyes:

I always hoped that extra-terrestrials would be more intelligent than that:D

[Manuka Jock]

I always hoped that extra-terrestrials would be more intelligent than that:D

:2tsup:

Hey, mr. spaceman
Won't you please take me along
I won't do anything wrong
Hey, mr. spaceman
Won't you please take me along for a ride

Mr. Spaceman lyrics by Byrds (http://www.tsrocks.com/b/byrds_texts/mr_spaceman.html)

:U

[Carry Pine]

Ahem. Alex is actually right according to this.:wink::D

www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/students/factsheets/comma.pdf (http://www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/students/factsheets/comma.pdf)



The quote was:

Rule 1: the comma rule If you are joining independent clauses to write compound sentences, use a comma BEFORE 'and', 'but', 'for', 'nor', 'so', 'yet'. Example
 Petrol prices are rising daily, and many people are struggling to meet costs in their daily lives. Price increases may stimulate a search for a cheaper alternative, but this does not always happen.

This is very interesting as students in NSW would be marked down for doing this.

Thanks for the link .

CP

[RETIRED]

Tone it down a bit Jock.

I think a lot of us have had enough of an argument ensuing because some one cracks a joke that you don't get.

[jimbur]

Tone it down a bit Jock.

I think a lot of us have had enough of an argument ensuing because some one cracks a joke that you don't get.

Thought this was a training ground for the All Blacks Ian:D
Cheers,
Jim

[hughie]

I put my knowledge of geography down to the pull down charts that were used at school (no AV in my day!).
Most of these world charts were pretty old and covered in pink areas that represented the British Empire - as it once was.
The rule seemed to be, if it's pink, you're going to learn about it.
Yep, that was the way it was for me as well, and in those days there was a helluva lot of pink around.
I think if memory serves, 1955 was the year that Empire was at its largest, encompassing 25% of the world population etc. .... and the sun never set on the empire :U
http://www.friesian.com/british.htm

http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://safalra.com/other/british-empire-map/british-empire-map.png&imgrefurl=http://safalra.com/other/british-empire-map/&h=314&w=678&sz=11&tbnid=wSxu32Kbo8RvrM:&tbnh=64&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbritish%2Bempire%2Bmap&zoom=1&hl=en&usg=__WKC2f31JgKVsn0uPfhHsIynttq8=&sa=X&ei=wptvTJiAOY-mvQPo4dlB&ved=0CB4Q9QEwAQ

[Manuka Jock]

Yep, that was the way it was for me as well, and in those days there was a helluva lot of pink around.
I think if memory serves, 1955 was the year that Empire was at its largest, encompassing 25% of the world population etc. .... and the sun never set on the empire :U

More like 1925 when the british empire held sway over a quarter of the world's land and population

By 1955 it had lost its' grip in a big way :D

[jimbur]

More like 1925 when the british empire held sway over a quarter of the world's land and population By 1955 it had lost its' grip in a big way :D

Yes, India went independent in 1947. Still in those days you didn't change school equipment just because the colour didn't suit.
Cheers,
Jim

[Manuka Jock]

Yes, India went independent in 1947. Still in those days you didn't change school equipment just because the colour didn't suit.
Cheers,
Jim
Quite so , because then the teachers would have had to change their lesson plans , and that was not on . The stuff had done ok for a hundred years , so why meddle with it .
Lets not pander to the natives , theres' a good chap .
:D

[jimbur]

Exactly Jock. Leave them to stew and they'll come to their senses eventually:D

[Manuka Jock]

And we did , and kicked the buggas out , all over the world :wink:

[jimbur]

And we did , and kicked the buggas out , all over the world :wink:

And did they show any gratitude for this magnaminous treatment? None at all:no:

[Manuka Jock]

And did they show any gratitude for this magnaminous treatment? None at all:no:
No , nor did they reimburse the areas that they asset stripped .

[jimbur]

But you have to balance all that with the weeds, rabbits and foxes:D

[Manuka Jock]

Foxes ? is that a nickname for the possums that they infested my homeland with ?

[jimbur]

Foxes ? is that a nickname for the possums that they infested my homeland with ?

Don't you have them in NZ? Or are they all hiding in the Boxthorn?

[jimbur]

A very popular animal at one time - they used to be followed by lots of dogs accompanied by groupies in red coats on horseback.:D

[Manuka Jock]

Don't you have them in NZ? Or are they all hiding in the Boxthorn?
If we had them , would I be asking ? :rolleyes:

[Manuka Jock]

A very popular animal at one time - they used to be followed by lots of dogs accompanied by groupies in red coats on horseback.:D
I know what foxes are .
My enquiry was about your post regarding foxes in New Zealand .

Where is all this boxthorn that you are talking about ?

[jimbur]

I know what foxes are .
My enquiry was about your post regarding foxes in New Zealand .

Where is all this boxthorn that you are talking about ?
Talking from absolute ignorance on NZ wildlife - native or imported - Jock. Definitely would have failed 8th grade there.:B
Saw a programme on how NZ had had a terrible problem with African Boxthorn. Apparently it had been popular with farmers as it grew quickly into hedges and was impenetrable without heavy machinery.
Cheers,
Jim

[Manuka Jock]

Talking from absolute ignorance on NZ wildlife - native or imported - Jock. Definitely would have failed 8th grade there.:B
Saw a programme on how NZ had had a terrible problem with African Boxthorn. Apparently it had been popular with farmers as it grew quickly into hedges and was impenetrable without heavy machinery.
Cheers,
Jim
We are two very large islands here , and many smaller ones .:U
What area was the program talking about ?

And out of curiosity , who made the program ?

[jimbur]

We are two very large islands here , and many smaller ones .:U
What area was the program talking about ?

And out of curiosity , who made the program ?

Pretty insular here - most of us forget Tasmania.
I think the programme was a BBC2 production called Round the World in Eighty Gardens narrated by Monty Don. I can 't be certain that that is where the boxthorn came up though. The following might help you place Monty Don anyway:

While travelling around New Zealand Monty followed the Forgotten World Highway. This highly memorable driving journey wriggles it way over four mountain saddles, through an eerie one-way tunnel and along a sinuour river gorge.

Originally built on colonial bridle paths it was formed in the late 19th century. History is one of the reasons to choose this route, but scenery is another big highlight.

By the way, African Boxthorn is a noxious weed here but when turned looks very similar to European box.
Cheers,
Jim

[Manuka Jock]

Pretty insular here - most of us forget Tasmania.
I think the programme was a BBC2 production called Round the World in Eighty Gardens narrated by Monty Don. I can 't be certain that that is where the boxthorn came up though. The following might help you place Monty Don anyway:

While travelling around New Zealand Monty followed the Forgotten World Highway. This highly memorable driving journey wriggles it way over four mountain saddles, through an eerie one-way tunnel and along a sinuour river gorge.

Originally built on colonial bridle paths it was formed in the late 19th century. History is one of the reasons to choose this route, but scenery is another big highlight.

By the way, African Boxthorn is a noxious weed here but when turned looks very similar to European box.
Cheers,
Jim

So that BBC2 character based his program of New Zealand on a back country road that runs for a few miles through a very small hill region of one small province on one island off the coast of the mainland of this country ?
He is not too bright eh :D



I know that African boxthorn is a noxious weed in Australia . I have known that for many years .
I have eradicated a fair amount of it , in Taranaki (NZ) :U

[Frank&Earnest]

The quote was:

Rule 1: the comma rule If you are joining independent clauses to write compound sentences, use a comma BEFORE 'and', 'but', 'for', 'nor', 'so', 'yet'. Example
 Petrol prices are rising daily, and many people are struggling to meet costs in their daily lives. Price increases may stimulate a search for a cheaper alternative, but this does not always happen.

This is very interesting as students in NSW would be marked down for doing this.

Thanks for the link .

CP

Interesting indeed. I vividly remember having a polite but pointed row about this with the person pretending to teach me English when I arrived here in 1978. I would accept "so" and "yet" as one word parenthetic clauses, that is with a comma before and one after, never a comma before any of the words mentioned if it is not the beginning or the end of a parenthetic clause. To the best of my knowledge, however, English usage tolerates a comma before the "and" introducing the last element of a list. For me, the examples above are plainly wrong. If the correlation is meant to convey causation, "and" should be replaced with "therefore", otherwise the comma before it should be removed.

So, what's the verdict?

[kiwigeo]

I tend to punctuate English as I'd speak it.....if a pause is in order then so too is an apostrophe.

[Frank&Earnest]

I tend to punctuate English as I'd speak it.....if a pause is in order then so too is an apostrophe.

... why did you use an ellipsis, then? :D

[kiwigeo]

... why did you use an ellipsis, then? :D

The full stop key on my keyboard is sticky :D

[Carry Pine]

Frank and Ernest,

I think we all know the English is 90+% convention. That is, what is said , goes. It's irritating for those of a previous generation and for those who believe in absolutes. Spelling just goes with (wif) the flow.
Re the marking of exam papers that I mentioned BST and NAPLAN. A classic case is in the marking scale for Narrative writing. Under the old NSW testing program (BST) we had a marking scale and you could teach the kids to write to a formula. A moderator probably devised that marking scale! (Well we often wondered who did!) And it was right and no one could argue. That is until the Commonwealth took over the testing program (NAPLAN) and there was a different marking scale. This one included marks for 'engaging the reader'. Sounds fair enough. Who wants to read crap in a narrative even if the grammar is all correct. And what's worse is: there is no one way to engage a reader. So suddenly the rules of writing narratives have changed. (Sentences don't need full stops either).
Why am I saying all this? That's right, there was discussion about commas apostrophes and so on. We may get upset when we see the signs ' Fish and Chip's' but in 50 years no one will care or even remember.
Give them a sentence and ask them to put in the punctuation- you wish!

Graham

[Frank&Earnest]

I am sure nobody cares even now, why wait 50 years? :D

My question, given that it is all about convention as you agree it is, was only whether anybody could provide a reliable assessment of where the convention sits in 2010.

You seem to accept that nobody cares enough about that either, therefore everybody can pass ignorance as openness of mind.

BTW, I'm earnest but do not have a multiple personality disorder.:U

[RETIRED]

A moderator probably devised that marking scale! (Well we often wondered who did!)Ah well, it should work well then. :kickcan: :whistling2:

[Carry Pine]

Ah well, it should work well then. :kickcan: :whistling2:

It did work well. But a different government took over the tests. Then the rules changed.
I'm going to stop now.

Graham