There has been little disagreement as to the proper location of the test of making change, but various procedures have been employed. Coins have generally been employed, in which case the subject is actually allowed to make the change. Most other revisions have also given only a single problem, usually 4 cents out of 20 cents, or 4 out of 25, or 9 out of 25. It is evident that these are not all of equal difficulty. There is general agreement, however, that normal children of 9 years should be able to make simple change.
IX, 4. Repeating four digits reversed
The series are 6–5–2–8; 4–9–3–7; 3–6–2–9.
Procedure and scoring. Exactly as in [VII, alternate test 2].[64]
IX, 5. Using three words in a sentence
Procedure The words used are:—
- Boy, ball, river.
- Work, money, men.
- Desert, rivers, lakes.
Say: “You know what a sentence is, of course. A sentence is made up of some words which say something. Now, I am going to give you three words, and you must make up a sentence that has all three words in it. The three words are ‘boy,’ ‘ball,’ ‘river.’ Go ahead and make up a sentence that has all three words in it.” The others are given in the same way.
Note that the subject is not shown the three words written down, and that the reply is to be given orally.
If the subject does not understand what is wanted, the instruction may be repeated, but it is not permissible to illustrate what a sentence is by giving one. There must be no preliminary practice.