Current Events Quiz

The highest score so far is 70% and that might be scaring people away who are accustomed to getting 100% on their tests.

This is not like the tests you take in school.  It is more about making you think than finding out what you already have.  It is not designed for you to prepare for the test.  If you did that most of you would get 100%.

Where did OldSamVimes go?  If you're going to complain it can be more effective if you actually offer something better.  He didn't like the test, especially the question about marijuana.  Did he write his own question and answers?  No. I explained that there weren't any perfect answers on most of the test questions and writing better ones is something he should try.  Still he did not.

I could write answers that are more favorable to marijuana users.  What?  do I have to do everything around here?  I don't help marijuana users because they don't need my advocacy, or shouldn't.

For example I did not give the choice of "policing marijuana abuse is an inefficient use of police hours."

Given that localities can only afford a limited number of police hours, those hours might be better spent on other problems.

However that same argument was used against seat belt laws and the police just spent their time on other things and only ticketed people for seat belt violations if they stopped them for something else or the offense otherwise became obvious without looking for it.

I want the test difficult, but not that difficult.

Another answer choice might have been, "because it's nobody's d___ business what other people smoke," since humorous answers are allowed.  Again, that would be advocating in an irresponsible and confusing way.  Although marijuana is not as harmful as heroin or explosives, there are problems with its use.

It means I need to go back to quiz writing school.  Thanks, these responses are helping me see how people think and I might get better at this one day.

I'm making two changes based on your responses.  Three people got 50%, but only one today, so I guess that's you.

1
"Its quality is more stable than alternatives"
will now be
"Its quality is more stable than similar alternatives."

I thought people would assume "similar" with alternatives.  I think it will be more fair to write that in.

2
"Which of these is the best way to tell whether a person is a terrorist"
will now be 
"Which of these is the best way to tell that a person is a terrorist"

I had thought that one was too easy, but kept it for the joke.  The change makes it even easier.

The question about the Selma march is not fair to people outside the United States but that will have to wait till I get a whole new set of questions.

What I'm trying to do here is make a test that makes you think.  If I made the answers too clear, people would just learn answers without thinking them through.  Generally in school, tests are more clear to be "fair," but they want you thinking on your own too.

There goes my theory you're an expert on quizzes.  That makes two of us not too expert on quizzes.  Another "mama bear" had some complaints.  That's okay, I'm sure you're an expert on several other things.  I might learn basket weaving later myself.  Maybe I'll get really good at quizzes with practice.

At one time you were the funniest person here.
You are a good sport that way.

I'm sorry to be so much trouble.  Perhaps you'd like to try fixing just one question.