56 A METHOD OF MEASURING THE DEVELOPMENT 



try, or. At an early hour we started for the country. Incorrect 

 responses: We started country 



(2) / asked my teacher to correct my exercise. 



(3) A good dog defends his master bravely. Another ar- 

 rangement not so good is : A dog defends his good master 

 bravely. Incorrect arrangements : A master defends his good 

 dog bravely. — A dog defends his master bravely good. 



It is a puzzle which interests many children. There is 

 much individual difference in the rapidity with which the 

 solution is formed. Some only take 5 seconds, others 20 and 

 sometimes even 50 seconds. The time limit is one minute for 

 each sentence. Two correct solutions are required. 



Some children, failing to comprehend the instructions, 

 supply words or compose sentences having no connection 

 with the given words. For example, one gave the following 

 sentences: The dog runs. — / defend my country. — / bought 

 some candy. 



CHILDREN OF FIFTEEN YEARS, 



I. Repeats seven digits. — This test is made in the same 

 manner as that calling for the repetition of five digits. The 

 child is told in advance that he will have seven numbers 

 to repeat. One success in three trials suffices. 



II. Gives three rhymes. — We begin by asking the subject 

 whether he knows the meaning of the word rhyme. Whether 

 he knows it or not (and often he thinks that he knows it 

 when in reality he does not) we give him the following explana- 

 tion : "Two words which rhyme are two words which end 

 with the same sound. Thus, pumpkin, napkin — pumpkin! napkin! 

 They both end in kin. In the same way mutton rhymes with 

 button; they both end in ton. Do you understand? I am go- 

 ing to say a word and then you will try to think of all the 

 other words which rhyme with it. It is the word obey. Find 

 all the words which rhyme with obey." One minute is 

 allowed for reflection and the child is required to find three 



