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CHAPTER VIII. THE EDUCATIONAL TEST.
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 Subjects and Weights and Specimens1 of Previous
Questions Asked.
 
Examinations for the Postal3 Service are of the second grade. Any person with a common school education should have no trouble in passing them. The average candidate, however, has been some years out of school and is very apt to be what we call “rusty.” In other words, to have forgotten much that he was taught at school concerning the subjects required. The wise thing for him to do, when he has made up his mind to take the examination, no matter whether the date of it is one month or six months away, the longer the better, is to improve his knowledge of each subject as much and as far as is possible. He must not content himself with just getting on the list, many of which are cancelled while yet there remain many names not reached for appointment, but do his utmost to win the highest possible rating.
The government service to-day, particularly the postal branch, is no place for indifferent, sluggish4, or inefficient5 men. Though 70 per cent. is the passing[44] mark to obtain a place on the list, it is a poor recommendation of a man’s intelligence and efficiency, or of his possible growth in these attainments6. And really there is no excuse for a man who can read and write getting so low a percentage. It shows, more or less convincingly, that he was not diligent7, that there was little or no earnestness in his purpose, and the average postmaster will not be over-eager to find a place for him.
The questions in each subject are simple, and any man of ordinary education can, unaided by outside instructors8, fit himself to obtain 90 per cent. with ease. A few simple text books, and steady, pains-taking study during leisure hours are all that are necessary. A postal card to THE CHIEF will promptly9 bring to you a list of books covering each subject, each book prepared by an expert on civil service.
Applicants11 are notified of the date and place of an examination at least two weeks in advance of the time set.
Subjects of Examination.
 
The table given below indicates the subjects of the examination and the weights given to each:
Weights.
1. Spelling 15
[45] 2. Arithmetic 20
3. Letter Writing 20
4. Penmanship 20
5. Copying from plain copy 15
6. Reading Addresses 10
—–
Total 100
The following are specimen2 questions given at a previous examination.
First Subject—Spelling.
 
Twenty words are dictated12 by the examiner. Each word is pronounced and its definition given. The competitor is required to write only the words and not their definitions, and to write them in the blank spaces on the first sheet of the examination paper. All words should be commenced with capital letters.
Opponent: One who opposes; as, a political opponent.
President: The Chief Executive of the United States.
Conqueror13: One who conquers.
Wholesome14: Healthful; as, wholesome food.
Achieve: To gain; as, to achieve success.
Tranquil15: Quiet or peaceful.
Detach: To separate or remove; as, to detach a leaf from a book.
[46]
Expensive: Very costly16.
Decease: Death; as, a person’s decease.
Noticeable: Worthy17 of notice; as, a noticeable occasion.
Suspicious: Exciting suspicion; as, a suspicious circumstance.
Terrace: A raised bank of earth.
Rapping: Making a number of quick blows.
Language: The speech of a people; as, the English language.
Schedule: A list or inventory18; as, a schedule of prices.
Tying: Binding19 or fastening with a cord.
Vulgar: Low or mean.
Course: A way or track; as, a race course.
Salary: A stated allowance paid for services.
Chicago: A city in the United States.
Second Subject—Arithmetic.
 
In solving problems the processes should be not merely indicated, but all the figures necessary in solving each problem should be given in full. The answer to each problem should be indicated by writing “Ans.” after it.
[47]
1. Add the following, and from the sum subtract 32,885,696 (here will be given a short column of figures).
2. Multiply 7-2/25ths by 36.8, and divide the product by 1.92. Solve by decimals.
3. A carrier can assort 43 letters or 37 papers in a minute. At this rate, how many hours will it take him to assort 3,655 letters and 185 pounds of papers, averaging 7 papers to the pound?
4. A lot which was 53 feet wide and 150 feet long sold for $8,347.50, which was one-fourth more than it cost. What was the cost per square foot?
5. In a certain mail there are 294 pounds 14 ounces of newspapers weighing at the rate of 3 papers to every 7 ounces. How many papers are there in the mail? 16 ounces equals one pound.
Problems In Earlier Examinations.
 
If a railroad car runs 41-1/2 miles per hour, how far would it go in 12 days running 10-1/2 hours per day?
If paper is worth 40 cents per pound, what is the cost of one sheet of paper weighing six pounds to the ream? (480 sheets equals one ream.)
An office uses 98 pounds of twine20 per year in tying packages. Allowing 178 yards to the pound, how many[48] packages are tied if each requires an average of 1-1/2 feet?
Multiply 696.6 by 785.09 and divide the product by 25.
A carrier makes 4 trips a day, carrying 64 letters and 32 papers each trip. The letters average in weight 1/4 oz. each, and the papers 2 oz. each. How many pounds of mail does he deliver in a day? (16 oz. to the pound.)
Multiply 26.32 by 3, and to the product add 2.04.
Three gross of lead pencils are divided equally among the clerks in a post office, giving to each clerk eleven and leaving a remainder of fourteen pencils. How many clerks are there in the office.
Third Subject—Letter Writing.
 
The competitor is given his choice of one of two subjects on which to write a letter of not less than 125 words. One year the subjects were on the advantages of city and of country life. At another time the candidates were required to tell what they thought of our colonial expansion in Porto Rico and the Philippines. In a recent test one of the subjects was “Give your views as to the advantages derived21 from free public libraries in the principal cities of your State.” The object of this exercise is to test the candidate’s skill in writing an intelligent letter. Errors in form and[49] address, in spelling, capitalization, punctuation22, syntax and style, count against the competitor. The rules for rating will be found under a separate chapter.
Fourth Subject—Penmanship.
 
The rating on penmanship will be determined23 by legibility, rapidity, neatness, and general appearance and by correctness and uniformity in the formation of words, letters, and punctuation marks in the exercise of the subject of copying from plain copy. No particular style of penmanship is preferred.
Fifth Subject—Copying From Plain Copy.
 
Candidates are required to make an exact copy of a piece of composition. All omissions24 and mistakes, change of paragraphs, spelling, capitals and punctuation, count against the competitor. The following was given in a previous examination:
No recommendation of an applicant10, competitor, or eligible26 involving any disclosure of his political or religious opinions or affiliations27 shall be received, filed or considered by the Commission, by any board of examiners, or by any nominating or appointing officer. In making removals or reductions or in imposing28 punishment for delinquency or misconduct, penalties like[50] in character shall be imposed for like offenses29, and action thereupon shall be taken irrespective of the political or religious opinions or affiliations of the offenders30. A person holding a position on the date said position is classified under the civil service act shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits possessed31 by persons of the same class or grade appointed upon examination under the provisions of said act.
Sixth Subject—Reading Addresses.
 
This exercise consists of the reading of a number of written addresses, which are photolithographed on one sheet. A second sheet is furnished, which contains the same addresses, these addresses being printed and containing errors of omission25, substitution or insertion. The competitor is required to indicate the errors in each printed address by underscoring with a pencil thus, ____, any portion of a printed address which is not a correct copy of the written address, and by a caret32, thus ^, any omitted words, figures or initials. Words abbreviated33 in the written address, but printed in full in the printed address, are regarded as correct, if the correct words are printed. Differences in punctuating34 or capitalization are not regarded as[51] errors. The time allowed will be limited, and the rating will be determined on accuracy only.
The following are illustrations of the method which should be pursued in indicating errors.
WRITTEN ADDRESS—CORRECT
 
PRINTED ADDRESS—WITH ERRORS NOTED35
 
Theodore M. Martin, Foreman ^ Water Works,
High Road, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
WRITTEN ADDRESS—CORRECT
 
PRINTED ADDRESS—WITH ERRORS NOTED.
 
Major ^ A. T. Chandler,
Fort Thompson, Alden County, Alabama.

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1 specimens 91fc365099a256001af897127174fcce     
n.样品( specimen的名词复数 );范例;(化验的)抽样;某种类型的人
参考例句:
  • Astronauts have brought back specimens of rock from the moon. 宇航员从月球带回了岩石标本。
  • The traveler brought back some specimens of the rocks from the mountains. 那位旅行者从山上带回了一些岩石标本。 来自《简明英汉词典》
2 specimen Xvtwm     
n.样本,标本
参考例句:
  • You'll need tweezers to hold up the specimen.你要用镊子来夹这标本。
  • This specimen is richly variegated in colour.这件标本上有很多颜色。
3 postal EP0xt     
adj.邮政的,邮局的
参考例句:
  • A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
  • Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。
4 sluggish VEgzS     
adj.懒惰的,迟钝的,无精打采的
参考例句:
  • This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
  • Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。
5 inefficient c76xm     
adj.效率低的,无效的
参考例句:
  • The inefficient operation cost the firm a lot of money.低效率的运作使该公司损失了许多钱。
  • Their communication systems are inefficient in the extreme.他们的通讯系统效率非常差。
6 attainments 3f47ba9938f08311bdf016e1de15e082     
成就,造诣; 获得( attainment的名词复数 ); 达到; 造诣; 成就
参考例句:
  • a young woman of impressive educational attainments 一位学业成就斐然的年轻女子
  • He is a scholar of the highest attainments in this field. 他在这一领域是一位颇有造就的学者。
7 diligent al6ze     
adj.勤勉的,勤奋的
参考例句:
  • He is the more diligent of the two boys.他是这两个男孩中较用功的一个。
  • She is diligent and keeps herself busy all the time.她真勤快,一会儿也不闲着。
8 instructors 5ea75ff41aa7350c0e6ef0bd07031aa4     
指导者,教师( instructor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The instructors were slacking on the job. 教员们对工作松松垮垮。
  • He was invited to sit on the rostrum as a representative of extramural instructors. 他以校外辅导员身份,被邀请到主席台上。
9 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
10 applicant 1MlyX     
n.申请人,求职者,请求者
参考例句:
  • He was the hundredth applicant for the job. 他是第100个申请这项工作的人。
  • In my estimation, the applicant is well qualified for this job. 据我看, 这位应征者完全具备这项工作的条件。
11 applicants aaea8e805a118b90e86f7044ecfb6d59     
申请人,求职人( applicant的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
  • He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。
12 dictated aa4dc65f69c81352fa034c36d66908ec     
v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 );口授;支配;摆布
参考例句:
  • He dictated a letter to his secretary. 他向秘书口授信稿。
  • No person of a strong character likes to be dictated to. 没有一个个性强的人愿受人使唤。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 conqueror PY3yI     
n.征服者,胜利者
参考例句:
  • We shall never yield to a conqueror.我们永远不会向征服者低头。
  • They abandoned the city to the conqueror.他们把那个城市丢弃给征服者。
14 wholesome Uowyz     
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的
参考例句:
  • In actual fact the things I like doing are mostly wholesome.实际上我喜欢做的事大都是有助于增进身体健康的。
  • It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。
15 tranquil UJGz0     
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的
参考例句:
  • The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。
  • The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。
16 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
17 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
18 inventory 04xx7     
n.详细目录,存货清单
参考例句:
  • Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
  • We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。
19 binding 2yEzWb     
有约束力的,有效的,应遵守的
参考例句:
  • The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
  • Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。
20 twine vg6yC     
v.搓,织,编饰;(使)缠绕
参考例句:
  • He tied the parcel with twine.他用细绳捆包裹。
  • Their cardboard boxes were wrapped and tied neatly with waxed twine.他们的纸板盒用蜡线扎得整整齐齐。
21 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 punctuation 3Sbxk     
n.标点符号,标点法
参考例句:
  • My son's punctuation is terrible.我儿子的标点符号很糟糕。
  • A piece of writing without any punctuation is difficult to understand.一篇没有任何标点符号的文章是很难懂的。
23 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
24 omissions 1022349b4bcb447934fb49084c887af2     
n.省略( omission的名词复数 );删节;遗漏;略去或漏掉的事(或人)
参考例句:
  • In spite of careful checking, there are still omissions. 饶这么细心核对,还是有遗漏。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • It has many omissions; even so, it is quite a useful reference book. 那本书有许多遗漏之处,即使如此,尚不失为一本有用的参考书。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
25 omission mjcyS     
n.省略,删节;遗漏或省略的事物,冗长
参考例句:
  • The omission of the girls was unfair.把女孩排除在外是不公平的。
  • The omission of this chapter from the third edition was a gross oversight.第三版漏印这一章是个大疏忽。
26 eligible Cq6xL     
adj.有条件被选中的;(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的
参考例句:
  • He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
  • Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。
27 affiliations eb07781ca7b7f292abf957af7ded20fb     
n.联系( affiliation的名词复数 );附属机构;亲和性;接纳
参考例句:
  • She had affiliations of her own in every capital. 她原以为自己在欧洲各国首府都有熟人。 来自辞典例句
  • The society has many affiliations throughout the country. 这个社团在全国有很多关系。 来自辞典例句
28 imposing 8q9zcB     
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的
参考例句:
  • The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
  • He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
29 offenses 4bfaaba4d38a633561a0153eeaf73f91     
n.进攻( offense的名词复数 );(球队的)前锋;进攻方法;攻势
参考例句:
  • It's wrong of you to take the child to task for such trifling offenses. 因这类小毛病责备那孩子是你的不对。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Thus, Congress cannot remove an executive official except for impeachable offenses. 因此,除非有可弹劾的行为,否则国会不能罢免行政官员。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
30 offenders dee5aee0bcfb96f370137cdbb4b5cc8d     
n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 );犯规者;罪犯;妨害…的人(或事物)
参考例句:
  • Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
  • Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。
31 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
32 caret WcHyC     
n.加字符号
参考例句:
  • Move the caret to a specified position.将插字符移动到指定的位置。
  • The caret shape can be a line,a block,or a bitmap.插入符可以是一根短线、一个方块或者一幅位图。
33 abbreviated 32a218f05db198fc10c9206836aaa17a     
adj. 简短的,省略的 动词abbreviate的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He abbreviated so much that it was hard to understand his article. 他的文章缩写词使用太多,令人费解。
  • The United States of America is commonly abbreviated to U.S.A.. 美利坚合众国常被缩略为U.S.A.。
34 punctuating b570cbab6b7d9f8edf13ca9e0b6e2923     
v.(在文字中)加标点符号,加标点( punctuate的现在分词 );不时打断某事物
参考例句:
  • Finally, it all came to a halt, with only Leehom's laboured breathing punctuating the silence. 最后,一切静止,只剩力宏吃力的呼吸,打破寂静。 来自互联网
  • Li, punctuating the air with her hands, her fingernails decorated with pink rose decals. 一边说着,一边用手在空中一挥,指甲上还画了粉红玫瑰图案。 来自互联网
35 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。


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