Published at 11:18, Monday, 23 November 2009

Perhaps an ignorance of Cumbria was to blame for one school child’s answer to an exam question about Hadrian’s Wall.

The question: Where was Hadrian’s Wall built?

The suggested answer: Around Hadrian’s garden.

One can only speculate about the reasons behind the rest of the howlers in a new book – F In Exams: The Best Test Paper Blunders by Richard Benson.

This book glories in exam answers which are not just wrong, but WRONG.

Benson compiled his collection after scouring exam papers and speaking to teachers.

Some of the answers may have been meant sincerely, but there is also the sense of students surrendering to their ignorance and displaying an admirable gift for humour, if not for the subject at hand.

Some more examples:

What did Mahatma Gandhi and Genghis Khan have in common?

Unusual names.

Name the wife of Orpheus, whom he attempted to save from the underworld.

Mrs Orpheus.

How does Romeo’s character develop throughout the play?

It doesn’t, it’s just self, self, self all the way through.

Where was the American Declaration of Independence signed?

At the bottom.

State three drawbacks of hedgerow removal.

1. All the cows will escape.

2. The cars drive into the fields.

3. There is nowhere to hide.

Why would living close to a mobile phone mast cause ill health?

You might walk into it.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk