EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 189, 11 August 1928, Page 8

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS.

I should like to draw your attention to t type of examination question which is crating into vogue. A number of statements are put on the paper, and the pupil is asked to writ* Yes or "No," according as the statements are true or false. The statements are of this type; The best Xew Zealand coal is mined at Westport and the neighbourhood"; Tuuiki'

is an important sheep-rearing province"; "Gotomandel and Thames are gold-mining towns"; Wneat and oats are largely grown in Xorth Auckland." I cannot see that this Iriwl af question has much educational value. I undscstand that the cramming of facts is opposed to modern theories of education, and that such questions as "What do you know about this or that ?" are considered more suitable. If a mere "\es" or "Xo" is required as an answer, an ignorant pupil has an even chance of being

correct. The only advantage of such question* seems to be that the marking of pupil* , answers is rendered easier. I do not kne» whether this type of question is being adopted by the Department, or, if so, to what extent, but the type is prominent in certain pape« issued by coaching establishments. One would like to have the opinion of a recognised educational expert on this matter. COUNTRY TEACHER