How smart are you?

1895 photo of Browns Valley School (Minnesota)

Well, let us compare your answers with that of an 8th Grade Student in 1895. Or, do you know the answers?

Grammar (Time, one hour)

• Give nine rules for the use of Capital Letters.
• Name the Parts of Speech and define those that have no modifications.
• Define Verse, Stanza, and Paragraph.
• What are the Principal Parts of a verb? Give Principal Parts of doing, lie, lay and run.
• Define Case, Illustrate each Case.
• What is Punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of Punctuation.
• Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time, 1.25 hours)

• Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
• A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
• If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts. per bu, deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?
• District №33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
• Find the cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
• Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
• What are the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $.20 per inch?
• Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
• What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance around which is 640 rods?
• Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

• Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
• Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.
• Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
• Show the territorial growth of the United States.
• Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.