Show S. a small cardboard box, and say, "Listen carefully. You see this box; it has two smaller boxes inside of it, and each one of the smaller boxes contains a little tiny box. How many boxes are there altogether, counting the big one?" Allow one-half minute, record answer, then show second box, saying, "This box has two smaller boxes inside, and each of the smaller boxes contains two tiny boxes. How many altogether?" Similarly for (c) and (d), using three and three, and four and four. Emphasize slightly the words "three" and "four."
Credit if three of the four problems are solved correctly within one-half minute each. Spontaneous corrections are counted as correct.
5. Six Digits Backwards
Say "Listen carefully. I am going to read some numbers, and I want you to say them backwards. For example, if I should say 5—1—4, you would say 4—1—5. Do you understand?" Then, "Ready now; listen carefully, and be sure to say the numbers backwards." If S. gives digits forwards repeat instructions. If necessary, give (b) and (c), repeating each time, "Ready now; listen carefully, and be sure to say the numbers backwards." 4, 7, 1, 9, 5, 2; 5, 8, 3, 2, 9, 4; 7, 5, 2, 6, 3, 8.
Credit if one set is repeated backwards without error.
6. Code
Show S. the code given on card (XVI 6). Say, "See these diagrams here? Look and you will see that they contain all the letters of the alphabet. Now, examine the arrangement of the letters. They go (pointing) a b c, d e f, g h i, j k l, m n o, p q r, s t u v, w x y z. You see the letters in the first two diagrams are arranged in the up-and-down order (pointing again), and the letters in the other two diagrams run in just the opposite way from the hands of a clock (pointing). Look again and you will see that the second diagram is just like the first, except that each letter has a dot with it, and that the last diagram is like the third except that here, also, each letter has a dot. Now, all of this represents a code; that is, a secret language. It is a real code, one that was used in the Civil War for sending secret messages. This is the way it works: We draw the lines which hold a letter, but leave out the letter. Here, for example, is the way we would write 'spy.'" Then write the words "spy" and "trench," pointing out carefully where each letter comes from, and emphasizing the fact that the dot must be used in addition to the lines in writing any letter in the second or fourth diagram. Then add: "I am going to have you write something for me; remember, now, how the letters go, first (pointing, as before) a b c, d e f, g h i, then j k l, m n o, p q r, then s t u v, then w x y z. And don't forget the dots for the letters in this diagram and this one" (pointing). At this point, take away the diagrams, give S. pencil and paper, and tell him to write the words "come quickly." Say nothing about hurrying. Do not permit S. to reproduce the code and then to copy the code letters from his reproduction.
Credit if the words are written within six minutes with not more than two errors, omission of dot counting as half error.
Alt. 1. Repeating Sentences
Say, "Now, listen. I am going to say something and after I am through I want you to say it over just as I do. Understand? Listen carefully and be sure to say exactly what I say." Repeat "Say exactly what I say" before reading each sentence. Do not re-read any sentence.