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To: RadioAstronomer; RightWingAtheist

yes: University students. ie: high-school graduates.

this is nothing new.

once upon a time, my grandfather devised a test for applicants seeking translator positions in the organization of which he was a part.

it had become apparent that possession of a college degree, even one from an Ivy League school, was no guarantor of linguistic competence, even in English - let alone a multiplicity of foreign tongues.

so... a test:

*******
Given:
1. The sentence "I went to the store to purchase one pound of butter"
2. the word "only"

Instructions:
1. Insert the word "only" before, between, or after each word in the given sentence, once per iteration. Transcribe each result.
example:
a. "Only I went to the store to purchase one pound of butter"
b. "I only went to the store to purchase one pound of butter"
etc...
2. In one paragraph per result, describe the difference in meaning between the original given sentence and the modified result.
*******

the ones who passed the test were those who asked "HOW long do we have for this test?" within thirty seconds of having read the Given and Instructions.


1,256 posted on 07/29/2006 4:32:58 PM PDT by King Prout (many complain I am overly literal... this would not be a problem if fewer people were under-precise)
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To: King Prout

I must say, I love this particular test your grandfather devised..I am just a high school graduate, and yet, I have a gripe with folks who use the word 'only', incorrectly...I get the gist of what they mean, but realize that they are using the word, 'only' incorrectly...I never say anything because I would probably just be accused of being a smart aleck, but the way people use this particular word incorrectly always has grated on me...

Thanks for letting me know about your granddads wisdom in this respect...


1,266 posted on 07/29/2006 6:00:42 PM PDT by andysandmikesmom
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