no. 2.] PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINING IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. 357 



(c) The E group was split off as a natural class in which language alone is inadequate for the communication of 

 the simplest ideas, and other aids are required . 



(d) The D group was taken as the level of language ability inferior to the comprehension of the Bimple explana- 

 tions of drill. It was intended that the D and E groups should constitute the non-English class of men of language 

 ability inadequate to the military situation. 



(e) The C group was originally taken two points higher than at present. It was found that by lowering its limits 

 two points the C to B line constituted almost exactly the limit taken by the instructors of the non-English develop- 

 ment battalion as the point of "graduation" from that battalion. This decision was based upon a comparison of 

 independent ratings by the instructors of the battalion and by the test in a considerable number of cases. 



On this grouping the definitions of the ratings in military terms becomes easy. The following paragraph, explan- 

 atory of the significance of ratings, was included in a circular to company commanders: 



Men can be tested for English-speaking ability and rated on a scale of A, B, C, D. E. In language the rating E 

 means inability to obey the very simplest commands unless they are repeated and accompanied by gestures, or to 

 answer the simplest questions about name, work, and home unless the questions are repeated and varied. Rating D 

 means an ability to obey very simple commands (e. g., " Sit down, " "Put your hat on the table "), or to reply to very 

 simple questions without the aid of gesture or the need of repetition. Rating C is the level required for simple expla- 

 nation of drill; rating B is the level of understanding of most of the phrases in the Infantry Drill Regulations; rating A 

 is a very superior level. Men rating D or E in language ability should be classified as non-English. 



II. — The Group Linguality Test. 



The test form is shown herewith (figs, a and b. They were printed on opposite sides of a single sheet of book 

 paper, 8 by 10 J inches). 



PRELIMINARY DEMONSTRATION. 



Preliminary demonstration with blackboard and orderly (analogous to beta) is used to teach the meaning of what 

 it is to "put a cross on" something. The blackboard has a shovel, a pitcher, a boy, a flower, and a doorway with an 

 open door. The demonstration is arranged to teach the subjects what a cross is, what it is to put it on a part, that it 

 must be exactly on the part called for and not so large as to extend over the greater part of the picture. The shovel, 

 the boy's foot, the handle of the pitcher, and the open door are finally crossed; the orderly makes two mistakes which 

 are corrected. 



GROUP EXAMINATION. 



The examiner then picks up a paper and pointing to the men says, "Now, you take up your pencils; look here — 

 number one on top here — see these pictures here — not the same as these (pointing to the blackboard); you do pictures 

 here, Number 1, top." 



"Now, listen. You (pointing to men), make cross (drawing an X in the air) on the hat." 



"Now, look. On top again. These pictures. See the dog? Make a cross on the dog." 



During these two tests the orderlies move quickly and quietly among the men, making sure that they get started 

 and saying, "You know hat (or dog) — make a cross on the hat (dog)." 



For these tests and the following ones the examiner must depend upon his judgment of the group as to how long 

 each test should take, but in no instance should more than 10 seconds be allowed. 



"Now, look here, Number 2. A boy — see — that's a boy." (Make sure by repetition that the men have found 

 the right place.) "Make a cross on the boy's head." 



"Now, look, Number 3. A house." (Repeat and point, if necessary.) "Make a cross on the roof of the house." 



"Now, look, Number 4. A hand." (Holds up hand.) "Make a cross on the thumb." 



"Now, Number 5 — here. Make a cross on the envelope. 



"Number 6 — here. Make a cross on the girl's eyelash. 



"Number 7. What is it? Make a cross on the muzzle of the gun. 



"Number 8. Make a cross above the pig's back. 



"Number 9. Make a cross at the entrance to this house. 



"Number 10. Make a cross on the rear wheel of the automobile. 



"Number 11. Make a cross on the spout of the kettle. 



"Number 12. Make a cross beneath the horizontal line. 



"Number 13. Make a cross at the base of the tower. 



"Now turn your papers over so — Number 14 — the letter — see. 



"Number 14. Make a cross on the signature of the letter. 



"Number 15. Make a cross on the pendulum of the clock. 



"Number 16. The box. Make a cross on the partition. 



"Number 17. Make a cross on the flange of the wheel. 



"Number 18. Make a cross on the mosaic pattern. 



"Number 19. See the two drawings? Make a cross at the point of conjunction. 



"Number 20. Make a cross on the barb of the hook. 



"Number 21. Make a cross on one of the tines. 



"Number 22. Make a cross at the apex of the cone. 



"Number 23. Make a cross on the filial descendant of the mare. 



