Take this fun civics test

email | July 5, 2011

[upchuck]

Are you more knowledgeable than the average citizen? The average score for all 2,508 Americans taking the following test was 49%; college educators scored 55%. Can you do better?

Take the test. 33 questions. It's not easy. Be sure to check out the table at the end of the quiz that shows the incredible spread between the scores of citizens and politicians.

Post your score below.

Enjoy!

Link.

[jospehm20]

You answered 32 out of 33 correctly — 96.97 %

[Lorianne]

29/33 87.8%

[common tater]

29/33 for me. ‘course I went through the public education system prior to 1960. No college though, but I continued to pay attention.

[Forty-Niner]

31/33 93.94%

[Texas56]

I scored 28 out of 33 correct with 84.5%

[PENANCE]

I had a small problem with this question.

That is, IS it an historical question? I honestly don't know the answer to the question; but two things cause me to question whether it is an historical question, or whether it is a question of which fiscal policy will work?

(1)Keynesian economics has held sway for over half a century (suggesting that govt would pursue the wrong course); and,

(2)the creators of the test appear to be conservative (suggesting that they correctly believe the "correct" answer would be the appropriate course).

So, did the test-makers slip by stating that the appropriate fiscal policy was the one actually pursued -- historically? Or, did they research all past "severe recessions" (how defined?) and match them to actual historical government action?

I.e., is it the correct answer (historically) or is it just the right answer (policy-wise)? I have my doubts.

[Huck]

You answered 29 out of 33 correctly — 87.88 %

[rlmorel]

I was embarrassed about one I got wrong...didn't think it through...:(

[okie01]

33 of 33.

And, for okie02, 30 of 33.

[TomMix]

33 of 33 right. 100%

[rlmorel]

I believe historically it has been to cut taxes and increase spending...not that it is all that hard to guess, because they SURE as hell never decrease spending, so that made it a 50-50 choice!

[Jeff Winston]

29 of 33. Embarrassed that I missed those 4.

Don't be. You outscored the vast majority of Americans, and CERTAINLY the vast majority of American politicians.

[Pelham]

“100%... honest.”

Me too. Age and cunning beating callow youth.

[Jeff Winston]

Now go run for office!

[Bibman]

You answered 26 out of 33 correctly — 78.79 %

Not bad for an old construction worker who wants to tell the government “Don’t tread on me!”

[PENANCE]

I got that one wrong, too. But you have to be careful with the wording of that correct answer. I was thinking about the progressive income tax too, I should have read it more carefully. If you average everything out, the correct answer is indeed correct -- i.e. the sum of tax receipts/ the number of citizens (NOT "taxpayers") = total gov't spending/ the number of citizens (IF revenue is set equal to spending).

And, there are other ways the gov't incurs debt (e.g. foreign borrowing), so the answer you gave (which I also gave) isn't right.

[GunsareOK]

Got this one wrong also but the other 32 correct. I guessed on the question about Aristotle, Plato, and Thomas Aquinas.

This test was easier than the questions in an AP History review book I found at a used book store.

[WVNan]

Yeah, that’s one I missed too. I would argue that you and I were correct.

[WVNan]

If I had found Free Republic 35 years ago I would run. Too old now.

[rlmorel]

HEY HEY HEY! According to the other quiz on Civics Engagement, I scored as a "Founding Father"! NOW I am proud! (puffs out chest)