PHONETIC TESTS FOR TYPISTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 6

PHONETIC TESTS FOR TYPISTS

WHITEHALL "SAMPLES" FOR CANDIDATES ESSAYS REQUIRED FROM TAX INSPECTORS (PROU OUR OWN COHRESPOKDENT.) LONDON, January 8. ''Annyi szegyelni' vaU? dplgot mjvelnek Szent Mihalyon, hogy maholnap szivesen eltagadjuk, hogy ott Jakunk." This is not a Slav or tation from a Lapland liturgy. It was one of the most important tests in the Civil Service Commission's examination last September for typists and plerk-typists in the Civi} Service. are described as "a sample of difficult matter" which entrants had to type accurately, as often as possible in a given time. The test carried 40 out of 400 marks assigned to the whole subjept. The examme given of "easy matter" to be typed similarly was: "Oh! to be in England now that April's there." . .

The examination subjects were English, arithmetic, either French or geography, typewriting, and shorthand, Normal age limits are 16J to 25. Starting salary for successful typists under 17 is 30s a week. At 18 they get 365, rising by annual increases of 3s to 57s a week.

The English test required that candidates write.-the correct spelling of the following words, given in phonetics; '

poiansi, meaning floating power: ierasibl, hot-tempered; joosi, succulent; signet, young swan; troosoe, bride's outfit; worantid, guaranteed. Time allowed for the arithmetic paper was an hour. One of the four questions was: What is the cost in francs of 5.15 metres of dress material at 23.55 francs a metre? Jf the material is 82cm Wide, what is the cost a square deci-

Geography Questions One hour and a half were allowed and the same time for Uon" was?" 6 geography quesName three areas of temperate grassland, and describe the position of

each. Give an account of tbMflM occupation of the* inhabitants* jpfaP of the area's, pointing out wmSBP ability of the area. ■ S €5L Entrants, froni 23 to 27, wMHBi become assistant inspectors ©f *55 to start at £230 a year, -iMMt.aH difficult questions. It is CCWWJHi essential that income tax UMtfMß* should be able to write a They were given the choice tMf following subjects: __jl The value of the public IflCTflßj Right and wrong ways of reg(jPl physical fitness. %..^ To what extent does the ipif* novel portray life as it really-HP-. A justification of pageantry <fc~ present day. 3 -. The future tax inspectors asked: ._*!•« j The arguments for and co-education of boys and girls. I,^ Leonardo da Vinci j beaqty and utility are i Do you agree? »J3»t What dp you understand *&% "Rome-Berlin axis," and wfe **T|j importance? * mj. Write a critical account of Of any one of thf following «IK Aldous Huxley. James J °3TCs«flfcl! Lawrence, T. F. Powys. OspSffp" well. Lytton Strachey. . -13 m What part does water p!a* "§ life of a land-plant? jj