Are You Smarter Than a Seventh Grader?
I spent most of my Tuesday evening helping my son do homework and study for a history test on Medieval times. Dang, they have to know a lot of stuff! Granted, he was out sick a few days last week, so he had catching up to do. Plus there was the test to study for. Still… this Medieval unit is hard!
Since I spent so much time helping him study, I wasn’t able to put together a blog post about single mom dating, dating after divorce, coparenting amicably with your ex, backyard sex (with voyeuristic animals), what a dad needs to know about his teen daughter, teachers dating parents, talking about sex with a preteen boy, divorced parents living in different states or counties, U2 on Letterman, discreet marital affairs, or skinnydip vacation stories.
Instead, I’m giving you a quiz to see if you are smarter than a seventh grader. Pencils ready?
For these six terms, pick the right definition from the lettered list. No looking anything up!
1. Squire
2. Noble
3. Vassal
4. Fief
5. Portcullis
6. Ballista
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| Dangerous Book for Boys |
A. a peasant who worked the land
B. a gigantic crossbow used to attack medieval castles and towns
C. one who pledged to serve a person of higher rank
D. an older boy who served a knight
E. a lord’s home
F. an iron crossbar grating protecting the entrance to a castle
G. a wooden structure used to scale the high walls of a castle
H. a large piece of sewing used to depict the story of William the Conqueror
I. a person of high rank in society
J. land given in return for loyalty or service
K. someone being trained to be a craftsman
L. holes in the overhanging parapets of castle walls
Wish my son good luck on his test!
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Comment by Canadian Bald Guy
| April 8th, 2009
Wow. That’s a brutal question…lol. I’ve got NO clue.
Canadian Bald Guy´s last blog post..My Top 5 – Movies I Grew Up On
Comment by Jimmy
| April 8th, 2009
1. Squire-D. an older boy who served a knight
2. Noble-I. a person of high rank in society
3. Vassal-C. one who pledged to serve a person of higher rank
4. Fief-E. a lord’s home
5. Portcullis-F. an iron crossbar grating protecting the entrance to a castle
6. Ballista-B. a gigantic crossbow used to attack medieval castles and towns
How did I do?
Comment by newsinglemama
| April 8th, 2009
I think I only know the definition for noble. The rest, I’d be guessing and probably score miserably :(
newsinglemama´s last blog post..Life by the drop
Comment by Andrea
| April 8th, 2009
You know, I wasn’t sure I wanted to click your link when I saw your post title. Now I definitely know I shouldn’t have!
I didn’t try to even guess. We spent all day doing science experiments and baking and taking pictures. I don’t think I could handle finding out I’m NOT smarter than a seventh grader right now.
Wishing your son good luck on the test!
Andrea´s last blog post..Wordful Wednesday
Comment by The Exception
| April 8th, 2009
I agree with the answers given above. My 3rd Grader is studying Ancient societies… thus so am I. I have to admit that I am learning a lot. Ancient Rome starts on Monday… I think I am more excited than is she! ;)
I know he will do fabulously!!
(Exceptional test policy – study, read carefully each question, and do your very best – the final score dosn’t matter at the end as long as you know you did your best after all!)
The Exception´s last blog post..Smells of Spring "Achoo"
Comment by ditz
| April 8th, 2009
We just finished the medieval banquet. Smart daughter borrowed a costume from her drama teacher. Next up, the Renaissance. I honestly don’t remember studying this when I was in 7th grade.
Comment by Laura
| April 8th, 2009
I clearly do not have the attention span of a seventh grader cos I couldnt sit still long enough to answer ;-p
Comment by notasoccermom
| April 8th, 2009
Ugh- I thought I was definitely smarter than a 7th grader but I have not ever heard about half of those terms.
I love history too.
I better pull out my Monty Python DVD
notasoccermom´s last blog post..Nice weather can change your whole mood for the better
Comment by T
| April 8th, 2009
Yeah dude, I have NO idea either.
Tis been a while since humble thee studied medieval times…
T´s last blog post..Romeo save me
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| April 8th, 2009
I got 4 out of 6 ~ which is about what I always do. ;)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog post..I Hate April Fool’s Day
Comment by MindyMom
| April 8th, 2009
I despise tests and since I’m no longer a seventh grader will take a pass this time.
Have fun boning up on medieval times!
MindyMom´s last blog post..Mothers, Fathers & Our Kid’s Self-Esteem
Comment by dadshouse
| April 8th, 2009
You all should be cribbing off Jimmy’s answer sheet. (He missed one, btw…)
Comment by krn
| April 8th, 2009
Porticuwhatever got me. Good luck to Dad’s son on the test! I’m sure he’ll kick some adult a$$ on this test. You can tell him I wrote rear, adult rear, though~
Comment by Mark
| April 8th, 2009
It is interesting how much you learn and re-learn by helping with homework. Thanks for the test, I did pretty well.
Mark´s last blog post..Shifting Gears
Comment by katherine.
| April 8th, 2009
I’m with Jimmy …except I think 6 is B
I think it was an offensive weapon…not defensive?
katherine.´s last blog post..Forget Raymond….Everybody Loves Maggie
Comment by katherine.
| April 8th, 2009
okay…I read that wrong…he had 6 right
5 is L perhaps….
katherine.´s last blog post..Forget Raymond….Everybody Loves Maggie
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| April 8th, 2009
I think we should all hang out with Jimmy tonight! Drinks are on David! ;)
Cathouse Teri´s last blog post..This is the Lord’s doing. It is marvellous in our eyes.
Comment by dadshouse
| April 8th, 2009
I’ll have a wench roll out a friar’s barrel of ale!
Jimmy still has 5 out of 6. Katherine didn’t correct his mistake.
Comment by katherine.
| April 8th, 2009
make it challenge…
might be that the answer to fief is J
Teri….where and when?
katherine.´s last blog post..Forget Raymond….Everybody Loves Maggie
Comment by Queen Lindsay
| April 8th, 2009
Um, I’ll take “I’m Stupid” for $400, Alex.
Queen Lindsay´s last blog post..Men’s Top Ten Turn-Offs
Comment by badmuthablogger
| April 8th, 2009
Ye gads, is this what they’re teaching in schools these days? Is memorising this stuff useful? I got the answers, but honest to god, who cares? I can think of a lot more things we should be teaching our kids in school. As for testing them on this stuff, my mind boggles.
Jimmy’s 4 should be J. A fief is land given in return for loyalty or service.
badmuthablogger´s last blog post..Flying with a 1 year old baby
Comment by Heather R.
| April 9th, 2009
I swear the schools are giving the parents more homework than the kids. Almost everything sent home needs a parents help. I (I mean my daughter) did win a big blue ribbon for her last science project!
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Comment by Shelle-BlokThoughts
| April 9th, 2009
You know what is sad…I know all those answers. No looking up either…so sad…
Shelle-BlokThoughts´s last blog post..Your Purse opens the DOOR?!
Comment by ilinap
| April 9th, 2009
So is this an open-Internet test?
Comment by Vinomom
| April 9th, 2009
Squire – C. one who pledged to serve a person of higher rank
Noble – I. a person of high rank in society
Vassal – J. land given in return for loyalty or service
Those are the only one’s I’m fairly sure of. I think I’m right about Squire but then I saw the “older boy that serves a knight” answer. But I don’t think a squire has to serve a knight.
#’s 5 & 6 I’m definitely leaning towards some sort of structure but can’t narrow it down. And I have no idea what a Fief is.
Vinomom´s last blog post..My Pharmacist Rocks