Exam Time -long ago

We are often told that exams today are easier than in the past. The truth is that exams today are different, not least because students have access to technology which has made some of the tests used in previous generations redundant. Even so, some of the knowledge expected of our grandparents and great-parents can be startling.

Readers over 50 are invited to have a go at the following Grammar examination, set in 1895 for 14-year-olds in rural Kansas, USA

Grammar (Time: 1 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 the Principal Parts of do, lie, lay and run
5. Define Case. Illustrate each Case
6. What is Punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of Punctuation
7. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar

How did you do? How does it compare with what you remember of the exams you sat back in the1960s or 1970s?

(Ed. The Tarvinonline Editorial team failed miserably!)