U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 16

Finally, the last of the 16 question Test 3 from the U.S. Army Mental Tests, given to recruits during World War I. I hope you have enjoyed the absurd subjectivity of these questions as much as I have. Remember that when Italian and Greek immigrants didn't know about American patent law, it wasn't because American patent law wasn't relevant to their lives, it was because Italians and Greek are racially inferior to Anglo-Saxons.

16. Why is it colder nearer the poles than near the equator? Because


A. the poles are always farther from the sun
B. the sunshine falls obliquely at the poles
C. there is more ice at the poles

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 15

15. If the earth were nearer the sun


A. the stars would disappear
B. our months would be longer
C. the earth would be warmer

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 14

14. Why are high mountains covered with snow? Because

A. they are near the clouds
B. the sun seldom shines upon them
C. the air is cold there

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 13

13. Freezing water bursts pipes because

A. cold makes the pipes weaker
B. water expands when it freezes
C. the ice stops the flow of water

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 12

12. Why do inventors patent their inventions? Because



A. it gives them control of their inventions

B. it creates a greater demand

C. it is the custom to get patents

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 11

11. All traffic going one way keeps to the same side of the street because



A. most people are right handed

B. the traffic policeman insists on it

C. it avoids confusion and collisions

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 10

10. The feathers on a bird's wing help him to fly because they


A. make a wide, light surface
B. keep the air off his body
C. keep the wings from cooling off too fast

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 9

9. Why do many persons prefer automobiles to street cars? Because


A. an auto is made of higher grade materials
B. an automobile is more convenient
C. street cars are not as safe

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 8

8. If a man made a million dollars, he ought to


A. pay off the national debt
B. contribute to various worthy charities
C. give it all to some poor man

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 7

7. Why is wheat better for food than corn? Because


A. it is more nutritious
B. it is more expensive
C. it can be ground finer

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 6

6. Streets are sprinkled in summer


A. to make the air cooler
B. to keep automobiles from skidding
C. to keep down dust

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 5

5. If you were asked what you thought of a person whom you didn't know, what would you say?



A. I will go and get acquainted
B. I think he is all right
C. I don't know him and can't say

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 4

4. Why judge a man by what he does rather than what he says? Because


A. what a man does shows what he really is
B. it is wrong to tell a lie
C. a deaf man cannot hear what is said

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 3

3. Why is leather used for shoes? Because


A. it is produced in all countries
B. it wears well
C. it is an animal product

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917, Question 2

2. Why are pencils more commonly carried than fountain pens? Because

A. they are brightly colored
B. they are cheaper
C. they are not so heavy

U.S. Army Mental Tests, 1917

I decided that for the next while, I would post one question a day from Test 3 of the U.S. Army Mental Tests, given in World War I. These notoriously subjective and racist tests only helped confirm already existing stereotypes about America's diverse population to the nation's white Anglo-Saxon elite.

1. Cats are useful animals, because

A. they catch mice
B. they are gentle
C. they are afraid of dogs