[113] in Humor
HUMOR: The Entrance Exam
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (abennett@MIT.EDU)
Wed Mar 2 10:28:14 1994
From: abennett@MIT.EDU
To: humor@MIT.EDU
Date: Wed, 02 Mar 94 10:24:30 EST
A classic. It deserves to be re-sent once in a while.
-Drew
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 94 12:47:30 PST
From: ckleinja@Novell.COM (Connie Kleinjans)
Subject: HUMOR: MIT Entrance Exam
From: neuhold@ifs.univie.ac.at (Karin Neuhold)
From: Evelyne Pichler <pichler@edvvie.edvg.co.at>
Name: _____________
Class: ____________
F I N A L E X A M I N A T I O N
I pledge on my honor that during this examination that I have
neither given nor received assistance, and that I have seen no
dishonest work.
Signed___________________
Instructions: Read each question carefully. Answer all
questions. The time limit is four (4) hours. Begin immediately.
Sociology of History: Describe the history of the papacy from its
origin to the present day, concentrating especially but not
exclusively, on its social, political, economic, religious, and
philosophical impact on Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. Be
brief, concise, and specific.
Sociology of Medicine: You have been provided with a razor blade,
a piece of gauze, and a bottle of scotch. Remove your appendix.
Do not suture until your work has been inspected. You have
fifteen minutes.
Public Speaking: 2,500 riot-crazed aborigines are storming the
classroom. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except
Latin or Greek.
Biology: Create life. Estimate the differences in subsequent
human structure if this form of life had developed 500 million
years earlier, with special attention to its probable effect on
the English parliamentary system. Prove your thesis.
Music: Write a symphony. Orchestrate and perform it with a flute
and drum. You will be provided with a pitch pipe.
Sociology: Estimate the sociological problems which might
accompany the end of the world. Construct an experiment to test
your theory.
Physics: Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an
evaluation of the impact of the development of mathematics on
science.
Psychology: Based on your knowledge of their works, evaluate the
stability degree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of
each of the following: Alexander of Aphredisias, Gregory of
Nicea, and Hammurabi. Support your evaluation with quotations
from each man's work, making appropriate references. It is not
necessary to translate.
Engineering: The disassembled parts of a high-powered rifle have
been placed in a box on your desk. You will also find an
instruction manual in Swahili and an Afgani dictionary for
translation. In ten minutes a hungry Bengal tiger will be
admitted into the room. Take whatever action you deem
appropriate. Be prepared to justify your decision.
Political Sociology: There is a red telephone on the desk beside
you. Start World War III. Report at length on any socio-
political and/or economic effects this may have.
Social Theory: Sketch the development of human thought; estimate
its significance. Compare it with the development of any other
kind of thought.
General Knowledge: Describe in detail. Be specific and
objective.
***************************************************
Extra Credit: Define the Universe; give three examples.
