Measure Your Mind: The Mentimeter and How to Use It

APPENDIX D
Correct Answers for Mentimeter Tests

The advantages of a carefully standardized test over an ordinary examination which any one might prepare for his own use are chiefly the characteristics implied in the word “standard.” A standard test is one which has been carefully prepared after extensive experience with similar tests; one which is made exact and objective by the most minute specifications as to how it shall be applied, marked, scored, and interpreted; and one on which many persons of varying degrees of proved ability have been tested and reported, for comparison with the results to be obtained later from testing other persons of undetermined degrees of ability. The purpose of this section of the appendix is to make definite and unmistakable the answers to the questions asked in the Mentimeter tests, in order that each reader may mark and interpret the results of these tests in exactly the same way, that is, in the “standard” way.

As was stated in the body of the discussion, each package of test booklets sold is accompanied by a “stencil” which fits over the pages of the printed test in such a manner as to bring the correct answer directly alongside the answer checked or written by the candidate examined, with the result that there is small opportunity for errors in the judgment of the persons marking the answers. If the word checked or written corresponds with the word or words printed on the stencil at that point, the question has been answered correctly, while if the word checked or written by the candidate is less applicable than the one appearing on the stencil, the response is to be marked incorrect. With the aid of the stencils the Mentimeter tests may be marked correctly by inexpensive clerical assistants in from one third to one tenth of the time that would be required for the same work by the most intelligent men working without the stencils.

No attempt has been made to print here an exhaustive list of correct answers to each question. The answers printed as correct are merely typical in most cases of the quality of replies that should be accepted. Anything as appropriate as or more appropriate than the printed answer may be given full credit, while anything less satisfactory is to be given no credit at all. To print here all of the correct answers to each question would take more pages than can be allowed for this section of the Appendix and would in many cases cause more confusion than clearness of thought. It is suggested that any question of right or wrong answers which is difficult to decide should be settled arbitrarily by the reader and that a note be kept of just how the matter was decided, in order that any later investigator may have the benefit of his judgment. In some of the tests new solutions will continually be appearing, even after it seems certain that all of the correct answers have been found and catalogued.

MENTIMETER NO. 1: Typical Performances of Young Children.

Success in this test is measured by performances in response to situations created by the examiner to a much greater degree than by answers to questions asked by the examiner. The directions themselves give the answers in most cases, and in the other cases the correct answers depend upon such facts as the name or sex of the individual being tested. No set of answers is printed here for these tests, therefore, since to do so would be to reprint exactly the directions appearing on pages 115 to 128, which the reader should consult carefully and even commit to memory before undertaking to apply the tests to any infants or young children.

MENTIMETER NO. 2: Pictorial Absurdities.

In order to receive credit the check mark on each picture should be placed in such a way as to indicate unmistakably the part of the picture which is incorrect—in such a way as to leave no doubt whatever as to the candidate’s having found and identified the incongruous element. The following are the elements that should be checked in each picture:

1.: The front leg or foot.
2.: The lower spout on the water pitcher.
3.: The mouth on the forehead.
4.: The horns (either one may be checked) on the horse’s head.
5.: The candle on the right arm of the electric fixture.
6.: The rat’s ears.
7.: Either end of the spy-glass.
8.: The next window to the rear on the third floor.
9.: The postage stamp.
10.: The sock used as a necktie.
11.: The long stem of the lowest leaf.
12.: The flag (flying in the opposite direction from the smoke and weather vane).
13.: Either of the lights on the Ford.
14.: The left front foot.
15.: The man between first and second base (third man from the right).
16.: The space between 4 and 5.
17.: The claw hammer with which the man is driving the spike.
18.: Either of the five fingers of the right hand.
19.: The driver (facing the tail).
20.: The ball being played by the man at the right.
21.: The incandescent electric bulb.
22.: Either of the roller skates.
23.: The knife in the man’s right hand.
24.: Either of the counterbalance weights on the drivewheels.

MENTIMETER NO. 3: Maze Threading.

No list of correct answers can be printed for this test. The stencil provided with the test blanks shows exactly what the correct and most economical threading of each maze is, but the reader can find this solution for himself if he will take the time and make the effort. No credit should be given for any maze not completely traced or for any maze in which a printed line has been crossed. A candidate who has gotten into a “blind alley” but has retraced his way and ultimately been successful in getting through the maze should have full credit for that particular maze.

MENTIMETER NO. 4: Dot Pattern Correction.

Here again, the only way of giving the correct solution of each problem is by means of the transparent stencil furnished with each package of test blanks. That dot which can be “cut out” and still leave a perfectly symmetrical figure is the one which should be circled in each pattern. This is frequently at the very centre of the pattern, although the centre is not the correct one if by removing it the pattern is left unsymmetrical.

MENTIMETER NO. 5: Dividing Geometric Figures.

Only a transparent stencil can give a clear impression of the correct solution of each figure. In dividing a circle into two equal parts it makes no difference in what direction the diameter is run—in other words, any correct solution should be accepted and given full credit.

MENTIMETER NO. 6: Completion of Form Series.

Only the stencil supplied with the test blanks can represent adequately the correct completion of each series. No credit is given in a series unless each blank is correctly filled.

MENTIMETER NO. 7: Checking Identity of Numbers.

1.: Same
2.: Different
3.: Different
4.: Different
5.: Same
6.: Different
7.: Same
8.: Same
9.: Different
10.: Same
11.: Different
12.: Same
13.: Different
14.: Different
15.: Same
16.: Different
17.: Different
18.: Different
19.: Same
20.: Different
21.: Different
22.: Same
23.: Same
24.: Same
25.: Same
26.: Different
27.: Same
28.: Same
29.: Different
30.: Same

MENTIMETER NO. 8: Digit-Symbol Substitution.

The reader may, by reference to the Key printed at the top of the test sheet, determine for himself the correctness of any symbol written by a candidate. The stencil furnished with the Test Blanks makes it possible for one to score this test very accurately with a very small expenditure of time and effort. In scoring this test with the stencil the correctness of the entire list of 100 characters can be checked in less than a minute by an ordinary clerk.

MENTIMETER NO. 9: Completion of Number Relation Series.

No credit is to be given on any line unless all of the missing numbers are correctly supplied. The score is the number of lines completed correctly in every detail.

					6					Series	1
		14			20					Series	2
			9			6	5			Series	3
		5							19	Series	4
41							27			Series	5
			10						49	Series	6
			⅛			1		4		Series	7
		22				50				Series	8
	11					25				Series	9
	10			14					10	Series	10
	8					16	17	19		Series	11
1					36	49				Series	12
2					34	37	74			Series	13
	33	30	31					24		Series	14
			15	16	16				6	Series	15
		51	48			45			51	Series	16

MENTIMETER NO. 10: Addition Tests

Test A: Addition Knowledge or Power.

1.: 5
2.: 8
3.: 17
4.: 79
5.: 56
6.: 88
7.: 142
8.: 248
9.: 1397
10.: 1664
11.: 5571
12.: 50362547

Test B: Addition Speed

1.: 6
2.: 17
3.: 6
4.: 11
5.: 6
6.: 11
7.: 3
8.: 9
9.: 15
10.: 10
11.: 13
12.: 7
13.: 10
14.: 7
15.: 3
16.: 5
17.: 16
18.: 4
19.: 12
20.: 11
21.: 13
22.: 7
23.: 8
24.: 13
25.: 14
26.: 6
27.: 11
28.: 8
29.: 12
30.: 13
31.: 15
32.: 18
33.: 5
34.: 13
35.: 13
36.: 14
37.: 10
38.: 15
39.: 15
40.: 12
41.: 11
42.: 14
43.: 11
44.: 11
45.: 16
46.: 11
47.: 15
48.: 12
49.: 9
50.: 14
51.: 4
52.: 9
53.: 5
54.: 17
55.: 11
56.: 7
57.: 7
58.: 9
59.: 13
60.: 12

MENTIMETER NO. 11: Memory for Numbers.

1.: 56
2.: 27
3.: 935
4.: 416
5.: 7493
6.: 4857
7.: 95738
8.: 68124
9.: 268359
10.: 635927
11.: 9583624
12.: 8195263
13.: 35268349
14.: 28593614
15.: 639481725
16.: 714963528

MENTIMETER NO. 12: Repeating Numbers Backward.

1.: 85
2.: 46
3.: 253
4.: 948
5.: 4937
6.: 8625
7.: 35291
8.: 69824
9.: 752638
10.: 746951
11.: 4857362
12.: 5746283

MENTIMETER NO. 13: Memory for Sentences.

1.: It snows in the winter.
2.: Men usually have more dignity than boys.
3.: There is no excuse for being thoughtless about the rights of other people.
4.: The price of peace may sometimes be much greater than a nation can afford to pay.
5.: It is unfortunate that war should ever be necessary among civilized nations.
6.: Their harbour is a shallow body of water, connected with, but protected from, the open sea.
7.: Conscience asserting itself as the voice divine within the human soul is nothing less than a real actuality.
8.: Each state appoints a number of electors equal to the whole number of senators and representatives.
9.: These discoveries—gunpowder, printing-press, compass, and telescope—were the weapons before which the old science trembled.
10.: The use of italic type is indicated in the author’s manuscript by underscoring the letters, words, phrases, or sentences that are to be italicized.

MENTIMETER NO. 14: Speaking-Vocabulary Test.

Any explanation, which demonstrates conclusively that the candidate knows the nature and use of the word or object mentioned by the examiner, should be accepted and given credit, regardless of the logical or grammatical form of the statements. The explanatory words and phrases given below are not intended to serve as logical definitions or as exhaustive explanations, but merely to indicate the various types of thing that a given word might signify. In examining very intelligent adults, meanings not listed below but nevertheless correct and appropriate may be encountered. If any standard dictionary lists as authentic the meaning given by a candidate, it should be accepted without challenge. Repetitions by the candidate of the word to be explained should not be accepted as an explanation. For example, “buy” is not explained by “Buy is when you buy something.” An explanation, to be satisfactory, should be in terms entirely different from the thing to be explained, although explanations otherwise quite simple are acceptable here.

1.: An article of clothing, a covering or something to wear.
2.: Obtaining possession or rights in an object in exchange for a price or other consideration.
3.: Written or printed matter, usually bound in covers for convenience in reading.
4.: A supply of goods or a place where such goods are kept. To lay away or deposit such supplies.
5.: A musical instrument or term.
6.: To have or gain temporary possession or rights, in return for some price or favour. The price paid for such rights. An opening or torn place, especially in cloth.
7.: The flesh of cattle, especially when used as food.
8.: A custom or rule established by a legislature or governing authority, or by the nature of the facts concerned.
9.: A malady, illness, or infirmity, frequently accompanied by pain or weakness.
10.: Uncertainty or hesitation in belief; dread, fear, distrust, or suspicion.
11.: An officer who decides disputes or acts as umpire. To decide, pass judgment, or compare the relative merits of ideas, opinions, or objects.
12.: The coming or occurrence of something considered desirable but not foreseen as certain. Lucky.
13.: One who attends to letters, papers, or business matters for another individual or group of individuals. A writing desk.
14.: Kingly or magnificent. Characteristic of or related to a king or ruler.
15.: A watercourse or channel, usually artificial. A tube or duct.
16.: An eager desire or longing, usually of a selfish nature.
17.: A person of fair hair, skin, and eyes. Light coloured.
18.: Property or possessions having money value. Riches. Goods.
19.: To allow, let, authorize, or give consent. A license or permission.
20.: Sagacity, knowledge, discretion. Ability to judge or discern, especially in matters of conduct.
21.: To direct or control action. To manage, supervise, or exercise authority.
22.: Authority or permission to do or act. Excess of freedom or abuse of liberty. To authorize or grant permission.
23.: To strive for the same prize or object. To contend in rivalry.
24.: The largest of the planets. A Roman god.
25.: Humility, self-control, diffidence. Proper delicacy and propriety about self and actions.
26.: A scheme or plan to be followed. Procedure based on material interest rather than on higher principles. A certificate of insurance or of money due under certain conditions.
27.: The act or instrument used in determining the exact degree or quantity of a thing. The unit of amount. A division or part of a tune or other object. To determine degree or quantity.
28.: Inspiration, ecstasy, emotion, eagerness, or the object of such manifestations.
29.: Rate of interest, commission, or discount. Number of parts concerned in a hundred.
30.: A measure of distance or area. An agreement between two parties for accomplishing a common task. To combine for mutual support.
31.: A theory or system of social reorganization. Social reform through political agencies. A theoretically ideal society or state.
32.: The science of exact reasoning. The laws or method of abstract thought. A treatise on thinking or reasoning.
33.: To regard with reverence, respect, or veneration. To adore.
34.: Satire, ridicule, contemptuous remarks, bitter taunts.
35.: Sarcastic reproach, invective. To deride, revile, or reproach with insulting words.
36.: Not transparent, dark, impervious to rays of light. Unintelligible, stupid.
37.: One making a first appearance in society or before the public.
38.: Act of repairing or restoring. Giving satisfaction or compensation for a wrong or injury.
39.: To take the tenth part of or to destroy a considerable proportion of a group.
40.: An instrument used to regulate an electric current.
41.: Knowing all things. Infinitely wise. One who is possessed of universal knowledge.
42.: To curse or treat basely. Used in imprecations, frequently with little meaning.
43.: A cat-like animal resembling the leopard found in India, Persia, and Africa.
44.: A very large and strong animal—especially one mentioned in the Bible.
45.: A bay window, particularly one which projects from the face of a wall.
46.: One of the great stones or boulders used in prehistoric monuments.
47.: A soft, white substance that forms a protecting sheath about the centre of medullated nerve fiber.
48.: An ancient manner of writing. Ancient writings, or the study of such writings.
49.: The branch of surgery that treats of adding artificial parts to the body to replace natural parts which are wanting.
50.: The dried tubers of various orchids, used for food, like tapioca.

MENTIMETER NO. 15: Word Discrimination.

Any real difference named by the candidate between the two words to be compared should be given credit whether it appears in the following list or not. The list merely points out some of the outstanding differences between the words of each pair, but does not attempt to list all of the possible differences. Any difference mentioned by the candidate which is confirmed by any standard dictionary should be sufficient to give full credit.

1.	A bird lives in the air		:	A fish lives in the water
		flies			swims
		has feathers			has scales

2.	A snake is long		:	A fly is short
		is a reptile			is an insect
		crawls			flies
		has no wings or legs			has wings and legs

3.	A pen writes only when it has ink		:	A pencil writes without ink
		is made of steel or hard metal			is made of lead or soft material
		does not have to be sharpened			has to be sharpened

4.	An eagle flies very high and long distances		:	A chicken flies very low and but a short distance
		is wild			is domestic
		is not good for food			is good for food

5.	A book usually has a hard cover		:	A magazine has a paper cover
		is usually one story, by one author			is several stories, by different people
		is published once			is published periodically

6.	An orange has a reddish yellow colour		:	A lemon has a bright yellow colour
		is spherical in shape			is oblong in shape
		is usually larger than a lemon			is usually smaller than an orange
		is usually sweet			is usually sour

7.	A teacher works in a school		:	A preacher works in a church
		usually teaches children			usually addresses grown-ups
		deals primarily with academic subjects			deals primarily with religious subjects

8.	Luck comes to a person by chance		:	Pluck is part of a person’s character
		is a temporary advantage			is a permanent advantage
		comes to everyone			is characteristic of a few

9.	Stone is a natural product, made of mineral matter		:	China is made artificially of fine earth or clay
		is used for buildings			is used for dishes
		is thick and coarse			is thin and fragile

10.	A balloon depends on the wind for motion		:	An airplane is run by a motor
		has a large gas bag			has no gas bag
		moves slowly			moves rapidly

11.	To plod is to work or travel slowly but steadily		:	To plot is to scheme or plan, usually for evil to someone else
		is to toil, to drudge			is to conspire, to intrigue

12.	To wither is to fade, to lose freshness		:	To shrivel is to dry up, to draw into wrinkles
		is to languish			is to shrink
		flowers wither			vegetables shrivel

13.	To surprise is to come upon one unawares, or unexpectedly		:	To astonish is to strike one with sudden wonder or amazement

14.	Rash means overhasty in counsel or action		:	Reckless means careless, utterly heedless of consequences
		means undertaking a matter without sufficient reflection			means indifferent or thoughtless

15.	Lonely is to be without desired companions		:	Solitary is to be absolutely alone remote from society

16.	Sorrow is pain of mind from loss or disappointment		:	Sadness is being downcast or unhappy
		is deep seated, lasting			may be transient, passing

17.	Plutocrat is one whose wealth gives him power or influence		:	Autocrat is an absolute sovereign, having usually inherited authority

18.	A rascal is a mean, tricky person		:	A rogue is an idle, mischievous person

19.	To plunder is to take goods by force, to pillage		:	To devastate is to lay waste, to desolate, to ravage

20.	To relinquish is to abandon the thing which has been possessed, or the object of pursuit		:	To resign is to formally return or give up an office, to submit, to acquiesce, to abdicate

21.	Shrewd means artful, malicious, cunning, of less dignity than sagacious		:	Sagacious means one of keen penetration and judgment, one with a comprehensive as well a penetrating mind

22.	Dormant means sleeping, not in action		:	Quiescent means resting, in a state of repose


23.	Reconstruction means to form anew		:	Rehabilitation means to invest again with some right or dignity
		means to build over again
		deals more largely with material things			deals largely with mental and spiritual things

24.	Reparation means restoration, renewing, repairing damage done		:	Indemnity means immunity from loss or damage
					remuneration for injury
		has more of the idea of replacing things destroyed			has more of the idea of paying for things destroyed

MENTIMETER NO. 16: Naming Opposites.

Except in special cases indicated below, no credit should be allowed for adding “not” or “un” or any other negative prefix to the printed word. An entirely different word should be used as the opposite of the printed word. Those words printed in parentheses in the following list should not be given credit as being satisfactory opposites. Words not printed below but as satisfactory opposites as those printed should be given full credit, while words as unsatisfactory as those printed in parentheses should not be given credit.

1.: bad, poor (not good)
2.: poor, needy, indigent
3.: big, large, great (tall)
4.: old, ancient
5.: easy, soft
6.: light (white)
7.: clean, pure
8.: well, healthy
9.: south
10.: full, filled
11.: pull
12.: right, correct
13.: end, ending
14.: wide
15.: evening, afternoon (night)
16.: somewhere, everywhere
17.: fresh
18.: idle
19.: to sink (to swim)
20.: rough, ragged
21.: tame, domestic
22.: weakness
23.: guilty
24.: ignorance, stupidity
25.: negative, uncertain
26.: superior
27.: modern, new
28.: cause
29.: generous, liberal
30.: concrete, specific
31.: justice, impartiality
32.: dilatory, sluggish
33.: extravagant, wasteful, uneconomical
34.: genuine, real
35.: depression, melancholy
36.: delay, impede, hamper
37.: confident, bold, immodest
38.: heterogeneous
39.: cowardly, irresolute, fearful
40.: slanderous, scurrilous, vilifying

MENTIMETER NO. 17: Spelling Tests.

The word lists themselves furnish the correct answers and therefore no further set of answers is needed here. See pages 199–200 for the lists.

MENTIMETER NO. 18: Range of Information.

1.: COW
2.: CLUBS
3.: CIGARETTE
4.: CARPENTER
5.: GREEN
6.: AUTOMOBILES
7.: DOG
8.: ACTRESS
9.: HUYLER
10.: 1861
11.: COUNTY
12.: PAINTER
13.: MOTORCYCLE
14.: NOVELIST
15.: FILING-CASE
16.: DISTANCE
17.: LEG
18.: REEFS
19.: WATER
20.: STOWE
21.: STATESMAN
22.: POUGHKEEPSIE
23.: LAW
24.: TWO
25.: DICKENS
26.: ENGLAND
27.: BIRD
28.: ATHLETICS
29.: DRINK
30.: INK
31.: FRUIT
32.: ISOSCELES
33.: 1066
34.: HEART
35.: PLANT
36.: KOREA
37.: OXYGEN
38.: MUSIC
39.: CLOTH
40.: ANIMAL

MENTIMETER NO. 19: Reading Vocabulary.

1.: BODY, TOOL
2.: ANIMAL
3.: CLOTHES
4.: COLOUR
5.: BIRD
6.: CLOTHES
7.: ANIMAL, BODY
8.: TOOL, FISH
9.: BODY
10.: TOOL
11.: BIRD
12.: COLOUR
13.: FISH
14.: WAR
15.: TIME
16.: WAR
17.: ANIMAL
18.: FISH
19.: TIME
20.: CLOTHES
21.: WAR
22.: BODY
23.: COLOR
24.: BIRD
25.: FISH
26.: TOOL
27.: TIME
28.: ANIMAL
29.: COLOUR
30.: WAR
31.: TIME
32.: CLOTHES
33.: BODY
34.: BIRD
35.: FISH
36.: BODY
37.: WAR
38.: TOOL
39.: ANIMAL
40.: BIRD

MENTIMETER NO. 20: Reading, Directions.

1.: The name should be written on the line.
2.: There should be a cross or an x in the square.
3.: There should be a cross or an x in the circle and a dot or period in the square.
4.: There should be a 1 under the letter M and a 2 under the letter W, in the list of capital letters beginning A, N, etc.
5.: The word “Yes” should be written on the dotted line.
6.: The word “in” should be crossed out and the word “and” should have two lines or circles around it.
7.: The word “seven” or the figure 7 should be written on the blank at the left, “twelve” or 12 on the middle blank, and “one hundred” or 100 on the blank at the right.
8.: “Ten” or 10 should be written in the square on the left, a small circle should be written in the second square, and the letter “C” in the triangle at the right.
9.: There should be a line drawn under the word “Peck.”
10.: The word “thousand” or 1000 should be written in the circle.
11.: The square in front of the word “diminished” should have a check mark or cross on it.
12.: There should be a line under the word “Face.”

MENTIMETER NO. 21: Reading, Interpretation.

Answers must show conclusively that the questions and the sentences answering them were read and understood by the candidate.

1.: Boys.
2.: In the house.
3.: Girls.
4.: On farms, in stores, mines, and factories.
5.: In the things they enjoy and in the things they are able to do.
6.: Wheat, corn, and cattle.
7.: To make clothing to keep us warm.
8.: To protect us from rain and snow.
9.: Differences between people.
10.: Because the world has all sorts of work that must be done, or it makes possible the adjustment of people to the different tasks to be done.
11.: Much of it would be poorly done.
12.: The difficulty of the task.
13.: Discontentment and unhappiness.
14.: “Expeditiously” suggests a lack of economy in time and money.
15.: Intellectual measurements.
16.: The consummation of the science of personnel engineering.

MENTIMETER NO. 22: Disarranged Sentences.

The most frequent arrangement of the words in each sentence is indicated below by the last word. Any other arrangement of these words which produces a perfectly logical and grammatical sentence may be accepted. Very few sentences will be found that are not already provided for in the concluding words listed below.

1.: WHITE.
2.: ROBIN. BIRD.
3.: WATER.
4.: HOUSES.
5.: WITH.
6.: WEST.
7.: COUNTRY.
8.: COLDEST.
9.: FOOD.
10.: EARTH.
11.: FOOD. VALUABLE.
12.: TREES.
13.: GERMANY. ENGLAND. FRANCE.
14.: PUNISHED.
15.: OCEAN.
16.: MISTAKES.
17.: NIGHTS. SEEN.
18.: CLOTHING. USEFUL.
19.: DEBATERS.
20.: WARFARE. POISONOUS.
21.: DEGRADING. UNFORTUNATE.
22.: CRIMES. BIGAMY. PERJURY.
23.: PSYCHOLOGISTS.
24.: STEALING.
25.: FACT. OBSERVED. APPLIED.