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Do you know more about science and technology than the average American? (Original Post) Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 OP
that was easy (fellow science nerd here) NRaleighLiberal Apr 2013 #1
I don't consider myself a science nerd and it was basic stuff. I have trouble believing anyone alive freshwest Apr 2013 #133
Non-Science Nerd RobinA Apr 2013 #176
If the females asked were in the Full Quiver movement, no. This should be basic school both sexes. freshwest Apr 2013 #212
Ha, funny how many people are taking the quiz mimi85 Apr 2013 #232
I think the more you know, the more humble you are, so I don't know about showing off. I blame the freshwest Apr 2013 #235
I'm sorry mimi85 May 2013 #243
13/13 RainDog Apr 2013 #2
+1 Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #127
same here.... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #131
13/13 too, Benton D Struckcheon Apr 2013 #3
ditto here lastlib Apr 2013 #209
I got 12/13 can I be a nerd too? bravenak Apr 2013 #4
Depends on which one you missed.... Wounded Bear Apr 2013 #89
Hydrogen? bravenak Apr 2013 #143
(Me too) Union Scribe Apr 2013 #149
Ouch.... Wounded Bear Apr 2013 #168
It got me too...Otherwise 12/13 4_TN_TITANS Apr 2013 #203
13/13 also. nt aristocles Apr 2013 #5
13/13 burnodo Apr 2013 #6
12 of 13 Jeff In Milwaukee Apr 2013 #7
12/13 MrSlayer Apr 2013 #8
Ditto. demosincebirth Apr 2013 #77
ditto...too Demonaut Apr 2013 #84
Same here. nt Mojorabbit Apr 2013 #120
I didn't even have to think about it.... mimi85 Apr 2013 #241
Got 12 out of 13 rightsideout Apr 2013 #9
13/13 -- God this makes me cry for our educational system. n/t X_Digger Apr 2013 #10
I knew DUers would do well. Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 #17
13/13 and ditto. These have got to be the easiest "skyance" questions ever... lapfog_1 Apr 2013 #38
12 cherokeeprogressive Apr 2013 #11
Ditto. nt laundry_queen Apr 2013 #52
Same here. n/t TDale313 Apr 2013 #60
12 also,i thought Nitrogen was a trace gas. Rain Mcloud Apr 2013 #68
No, Nitrogen isn't an oxidizer. AtheistCrusader Apr 2013 #74
Just remember the order they describe our atmosphere. AtheistCrusader Apr 2013 #70
Yup! Thought it was hydrogen. I went back and forth and couldn't remember. Behind the Aegis Apr 2013 #94
same here. diane in sf Apr 2013 #141
And here. narnian60 Apr 2013 #204
Same score, same missed question. n/t ChazII Apr 2013 #108
No sin there...the quiz didn't ask... DreamGypsy Apr 2013 #111
13/13 with a modest formal education Brother Buzz Apr 2013 #12
13/13 magellan Apr 2013 #13
12/13 nenagh Apr 2013 #14
2 wrong and I knew which ones they were olddots Apr 2013 #15
You scored better than 85% of the public, below 7% and the same as 8%. Wow that is scary because lunasun Apr 2013 #16
Are you smarter than a 5th grader type of quiz Gman Apr 2013 #18
Here's an interesting and related thread. Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 #22
Yeah, saw that earlier Gman Apr 2013 #28
There's an intersting (and free to download) book about the authoritarian mindset. Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 #30
13 of 13 was too easy to get. alittlelark Apr 2013 #19
13/13 LeftInTX Apr 2013 #20
13 immoderate Apr 2013 #21
12/13..... ohheckyeah Apr 2013 #23
13/13 customerserviceguy Apr 2013 #24
Hopefully this is far enough down-thread to post their report. Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 #25
My age demographic sucked (65+) eridani Apr 2013 #140
Some of That Stuff RobinA Apr 2013 #179
There have been plenty of DU articles about fracking TrogL Apr 2013 #227
Yes. ( n/t ) Make7 Apr 2013 #26
yes Bobbyboozhay66 Apr 2013 #27
12/13 lpbk2713 Apr 2013 #29
13/13 - liberal arts grad. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2013 #31
i'm not really good when it comes to science and tech but i got all of these right JI7 Apr 2013 #32
I thought I MAYBE got one wrong -- I got FOUR wrong! :-( 9/13. gateley Apr 2013 #33
My first thought was, gawd I hope not. (12) LiberalAndProud Apr 2013 #34
7%? Seriously? Bannakaffalatta Apr 2013 #35
+1 Matariki Apr 2013 #191
12/13 I missed "nitrogen". rrneck Apr 2013 #36
Same here. BainsBane Apr 2013 #62
Missed that one, too. The rest were, to me, absurdly easy. TekGryphon Apr 2013 #142
13 easy for a science nut. BlueJazz Apr 2013 #37
13/13... I even got my gender and age group right, so I guess that's really 15/15! opiate69 Apr 2013 #39
I prefer to think of us as getting 15 out of 13 icarusxat Apr 2013 #96
That was the only thing I got wrong. Heywood J Apr 2013 #237
hehe... that's funny...I almost did too though lol opiate69 Apr 2013 #238
13/13. Rest of the population is really stupid. I knew this. El Fuego Apr 2013 #40
I got one wrong. CBHagman Apr 2013 #41
13/13. Take that Mr Brown. I did pay attention NightWatcher Apr 2013 #42
11/13 Marrah_G Apr 2013 #43
I got 13/13 Go Vols Apr 2013 #44
13/13 silverweb Apr 2013 #45
13/13..."You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%." BootinUp Apr 2013 #46
I would expect all sixth graders to know all of the correct answers. NYC_SKP Apr 2013 #47
13/13 exboyfil Apr 2013 #48
12/13 mrs_p Apr 2013 #49
12, and ashamed at the what I missed ecstatic Apr 2013 #50
Duh moment zipplewrath Apr 2013 #158
Was that an extra easy test? Control-Z Apr 2013 #51
Well, we're just in the top 10% caraher Apr 2013 #202
Aced it. Liberal Arts major. 8) DirkGently Apr 2013 #53
100% krispos42 Apr 2013 #54
Thank goodness.... daleanime Apr 2013 #104
w00t! 13/13, another science nerd/introverted reading freak here. nt Nay Apr 2013 #55
I missed one and I'm embarrassed by it, too... cynatnite Apr 2013 #56
Are you in Colorado or Washington state... DreamGypsy Apr 2013 #114
I'm in TN... cynatnite Apr 2013 #147
12/13 Renew Deal Apr 2013 #57
They ask about education; they should have asked if the respondent reads DU. 13/13. lumberjack_jeff Apr 2013 #58
Liberal thing, conservatives wouldn't understand Diremoon Apr 2013 #59
Welcome to DU wryter2000 Apr 2013 #183
12 BainsBane Apr 2013 #61
two out of thirteen correct. octothorpe Apr 2013 #63
13/13 nt PD Turk Apr 2013 #71
Sadly...this is not a joke nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #92
You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%. brett_jv Apr 2013 #218
13/13 Poll_Blind Apr 2013 #64
10. I guess I'm the dumb one here. demosincebirth Apr 2013 #65
Or your memory of stuff from middle school just faded... octothorpe Apr 2013 #69
I drove a truck for 40years. I don't remember any of that from school, I just enjoy reading demosincebirth Apr 2013 #75
If your CDL has a HAZMAT endorsement Mopar151 Apr 2013 #91
. Loudestlib Apr 2013 #97
13/13 - This is a joke right? Xyzse Apr 2013 #66
i got 12 I new it was nitrogen but kept hydrogen, I'm such a fool! juxtaposed Apr 2013 #67
Do you live on ... DreamGypsy Apr 2013 #117
13/13 Junkpet Apr 2013 #72
13/13 here as well tularetom Apr 2013 #73
13 caseymoz Apr 2013 #76
13/13 Richard D Apr 2013 #78
is this another 'how stupid americans are' thread? HiPointDem Apr 2013 #79
13/13 SCVDem Apr 2013 #80
12/13 Mr. X Apr 2013 #81
I missed that one rightsideout Apr 2013 #137
12/13 but that is because... prairierose Apr 2013 #82
13/13 Zoeisright Apr 2013 #83
13/13, which surprised me, because I am not a science guy. Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #85
Got them all correct (13/13) sakabatou Apr 2013 #86
13/13 here too. blackspade Apr 2013 #87
12/13 Mopar151 Apr 2013 #88
13/13 Gore1FL Apr 2013 #90
13/13! I see we DUers are a smart bunch! UrbScotty Apr 2013 #93
This message was self-deleted by its author LastDemocratInSC Apr 2013 #95
:-( ReRe Apr 2013 #98
Aced.....easy questions.... Wounded Bear Apr 2013 #99
13/13... but what a frigging idiot..... DreamGypsy Apr 2013 #100
Very easy, I think I could have aced that after a pub crawl. Thor_MN Apr 2013 #101
13/13 business major working on a MBA. n/t tammywammy Apr 2013 #102
13 out of 13! freethought Apr 2013 #103
12/13 AsahinaKimi Apr 2013 #105
i guess i do 13/13 nutsnberries Apr 2013 #106
I got 13/13 - too easy dballance Apr 2013 #107
11 of 13 Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #109
I got 12/13. I am the 15%!!!!!! Currently majoring in computer engineering. n/t alp227 Apr 2013 #110
13/13 ... Very easy test. (n/t) spin Apr 2013 #112
13/13 - English Lit degree here JTG of the PRB Apr 2013 #113
Too easy. 13/13. Who could possibly get any of those wrong? freshwest Apr 2013 #115
12/13...... Tikki Apr 2013 #116
13/13 Apophis Apr 2013 #118
I may have the lowest score published here- No Vested Interest Apr 2013 #119
12/13 -- didn't remember my Chemistry. ancianita Apr 2013 #121
Easy test for most of the crowd here at DU Warpy Apr 2013 #122
13/13 with one arm tied behind my back. ErikJ Apr 2013 #123
12/13 - Admitted Science phobic KauaiK Apr 2013 #124
Scares me that people are that uninformed.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #125
Is this test even real? Nabbysensei Apr 2013 #126
12/13 nitrogen bit me in the ass I said Hydrogen Vestigial_Sister Apr 2013 #128
So did I. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #220
Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere? MADem Apr 2013 #129
12 for 13 NWLib Apr 2013 #130
12/13 Lil Missy Apr 2013 #132
13/13 DJWBlue Apr 2013 #134
That struck me as an awfully easy test. Bette Noir Apr 2013 #135
agreed, 13/13 makes me wonder about 50% of the population that only gets grantcart Apr 2013 #217
Seriously! mimi85 Apr 2013 #242
13/13. Yay. nt Ilsa Apr 2013 #136
I'm glad they showed the demographic info. Archaic Apr 2013 #138
12/13, missed one. diane in sf Apr 2013 #139
Was that really a science test? defacto7 Apr 2013 #144
perfect score DeadEyeDyck Apr 2013 #145
I took chemistry but not any science other than that, so I did much better than I expected. JDPriestly Apr 2013 #146
13/13 And I don't consider myself a science whiz at all. Live and Learn Apr 2013 #148
13/13 ManiacJoe Apr 2013 #150
13/13, and it was way too easy. DetlefK Apr 2013 #151
That was too easy. hobbit709 Apr 2013 #152
That's depressing Turbineguy Apr 2013 #153
13 for 13, thank-you PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS! HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #162
Did you notice the crafty question about global warming... Bay Boy Apr 2013 #154
I also got 13 for 13. Savannahmann Apr 2013 #155
13 d_r Apr 2013 #156
13. But then, I'm older....and the school system was more thorough on some things! PDJane Apr 2013 #157
I wouldn't call myself a science nerd, kentauros Apr 2013 #159
Apparently more than 93% MindPilot Apr 2013 #160
13/13 and I was LibertyLover Apr 2013 #161
11/13 LWolf Apr 2013 #163
13 out of 13 also warrior1 Apr 2013 #164
13/13 FarCenter Apr 2013 #165
Electrons and atoms whttevrr Apr 2013 #166
You answered 12 of 13 questions correctly. NCTraveler Apr 2013 #167
13/13 WilmywoodNCparalegal Apr 2013 #169
That was too easy spinbaby Apr 2013 #170
What an absurdly simple test. RC Apr 2013 #171
12/13 GED...public schools workinclasszero Apr 2013 #172
I wouldn't have thought I was that much above average Yo_Mama Apr 2013 #173
12/13 missed - Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere moobu2 Apr 2013 #174
11/13 Hell Hath No Fury Apr 2013 #175
13/13 and good gawd that's better than 93% of respondants.... mike_c Apr 2013 #177
13/13 wryter2000 Apr 2013 #178
Took it - got 13/13 GoneOffShore Apr 2013 #180
13/13. I get the average person missing one or two... gcomeau Apr 2013 #181
Not in any way a science nerd, RebelOne Apr 2013 #182
12/13 nachosgrande Apr 2013 #184
Here's an interesting part: JHB Apr 2013 #185
12 out of 13 here too... madmom Apr 2013 #186
13/13 another science nerd here Dash87 Apr 2013 #187
13/13, progressives are just more aware IMHO...most progressive I talk to are fairly knowledgeable uponit7771 Apr 2013 #188
Pretty easy.. sendero Apr 2013 #189
Hmmm - that was a little too easy. Matariki Apr 2013 #190
12/13 truebrit71 Apr 2013 #192
13/13 now i feel better about myself dembotoz Apr 2013 #193
12/13 Messed up on Nitrogen. Should have known better. bklyncowgirl Apr 2013 #194
12/13. I knew it wasn't oxygen, War Horse Apr 2013 #195
12 out of 13 ananda Apr 2013 #196
13/13 WillyT Apr 2013 #197
13/13 zappaman Apr 2013 #198
I got 12/13 auburngrad82 Apr 2013 #199
12/13 Chisox08 Apr 2013 #200
13 out of 13 ryan_cats Apr 2013 #201
13/13. Had to think whether Nitrogen or Hydrogen was most common, but made the right call. nt geek tragedy Apr 2013 #205
Test SamKnause Apr 2013 #206
13/13 20score Apr 2013 #207
If I only knew the difference between "infrared" and "ultraviolet" I would've aced it. Buns_of_Fire Apr 2013 #208
Effin' dismal, but a few rays of hope. GoCubsGo Apr 2013 #210
number 11 is wrong and/or a gross oversimplification Mosby Apr 2013 #211
No, it isn't. gcomeau Apr 2013 #225
no, one option was not vastly superior Mosby Apr 2013 #229
Yes, one was. You're introducing unlisted conditions. gcomeau Apr 2013 #230
The results of that are very, very disappointing. MineralMan Apr 2013 #213
Some people have mentioned that some of the MineralMan Apr 2013 #214
EZ-PZ Liberal In Texas Apr 2013 #215
If Pew really wants to show the world ... sweetapogee Apr 2013 #216
Everyone try the News Quiz as well!!! brett_jv Apr 2013 #219
I perfecto'd that one, too, but its choice of material is dubious. Jim Lane Apr 2013 #228
11/13 treestar Apr 2013 #221
13/13. PA Democrat Apr 2013 #222
13/13 I know I'm a bit of a nerd. we can do it Apr 2013 #223
12/13 - I missed the one about the earth's atmosphere. d'oh! cyberswede Apr 2013 #224
13/13 Better than 97% of the population???? LongTomH Apr 2013 #226
11/13 and 11/13 on both quizzes mimi85 Apr 2013 #231
I got 12/13 kimbutgar Apr 2013 #233
Yes, but I am a nerd. Rex Apr 2013 #234
13/13, top 7% kestrel91316 Apr 2013 #236
12/13 AnnieBW Apr 2013 #239
Yep, that was a toughie and the front-runner for most difficult question. Snarkoleptic Apr 2013 #240

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
133. I don't consider myself a science nerd and it was basic stuff. I have trouble believing anyone alive
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:00 AM
Apr 2013
wouldn't ace it. I got an easy 13/13.

The results are sad, but correlate with how I think our country is going. The top 7% shown will control this country while the benighted masses hiss at them.

Meet the new ruling class, who did not see science as a liberal conspiracy or heretical. Just imagine what generations to come will do for a living, since respect for teachers is nil.

Even though Obama is doing what he can to show young people they need to excell, we have a lot of lost people now.

We joked about Conservapedia and the Creationist school texts. But they are destroying those who are caught to a life of poverty, discontent and little chance to participate fully in a democratic society; in fact they will bring it down.


RobinA

(9,875 posts)
176. Non-Science Nerd
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:13 PM
Apr 2013

12/13. But I'm surprised people did as well as they did, considering some of the stuff I've heard from people around me. I'm also not thrilled about the gender gap on this basic stuff.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
212. If the females asked were in the Full Quiver movement, no. This should be basic school both sexes.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:43 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:15 PM - Edit history (1)

The only separation of the sexes we had was for gym class. We had girls who did great in math and all the sciences, chemistry, biology, etc. It wasn't notable. It was normal.

Except for nanotechnology, those questions were all part of what we were taught. The climate gas question was in studies of the different geologic periods, even how some species evolved because of man-made conditions.

We knew people caused climate change on a micro and macro level. We were taught about the Dust Bowl and how desertification in different civilizations in the past caused it and how to prevent it. As well as weather modification like cloud seeding. Basic scientific education was as common as learning the days of the week.

Droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes or oil spills weren't called Acts of God by charlatans like Pat Robertson. No public figure would try to pray as his only solution like Rick Perry started with a few years ago. There was none of this insane 'women have things that shut pregnancy down in rape' crap.

Sex ed wasn't controversial, neither was evolution, labor, progressive social movements. We learned the differences between capitalism, co-operatives as a natural outgrowth of agrarian and urban societies, socialism and communism.

We could not graduate from an American history class without knowing the wars, the timeline of events during every presidential term, the Constitution, Federalism, the Amendments, how aws were made, all state and national capitols and world geography. Basic civics.

I attended WPA-built schools in a working class neighborhood. I graduated from the public high school in the south in the late sixties. I can't fathom how we got to point of the superstitious drivel that is being pumped into people's heads from the right and the left as well. Magical thinking is what I call it and it will destroy working democracy and belief in equality.



BTW, that's from a real text book. It would be funny if it wasn't.



mimi85

(1,805 posts)
232. Ha, funny how many people are taking the quiz
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:48 PM
Apr 2013

We love to talk and show off how smart we think we are, don't we?

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
235. I think the more you know, the more humble you are, so I don't know about showing off. I blame the
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:58 PM
Apr 2013
lack of support for education, not the people not being taught. These things were common knowledge, nothing special. Nice to meet you even if you're only here to make a 'smart' remark.

And this is a friendly:



mimi85

(1,805 posts)
243. I'm sorry
Sat May 4, 2013, 07:17 PM
May 2013

I def wasn't trying to be a smart ass. Darn internet, it's so hard to hear one's voice or see their movements. It truly has made "reading" another person all but impossible. I wasn't trying to be "smart" just making a observation on human nature. Believe me, I took the quizzes as well!

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
131. same here....
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:59 AM
Apr 2013

as to chemical reactions, I answered "sugar dissolving" instead of "nail rusting"

on edit: oops, I thought you said 12/13.

Benton D Struckcheon

(2,347 posts)
3. 13/13 too,
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:02 PM
Apr 2013

and I totally & categorically deny any nerdiness absolutely whatsoever anywhere on my person. So there!

lastlib

(22,979 posts)
209. ditto here
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:27 PM
Apr 2013

not a nerd, per se, but d$#& smart!

(in my next life, I want to be rich instead of brilliant!)

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
17. I knew DUers would do well.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:12 PM
Apr 2013

I'm sure several of us have stealth freeper accounts, anyone willing to post the test over there?
It would be an interesting experiment.

 

Rain Mcloud

(812 posts)
68. 12 also,i thought Nitrogen was a trace gas.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:23 AM
Apr 2013

So,now I know better.
I guess that is why steel rusts so readily,nitrogen is an oxidizer.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
74. No, Nitrogen isn't an oxidizer.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:33 AM
Apr 2013

In fact, it's used to prevent rust, or includes in a list of benefits, not causing rust/oxidation for some applications like car tires.

DreamGypsy

(2,252 posts)
111. No sin there...the quiz didn't ask...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:25 AM
Apr 2013

...which planet you were on...

A very poorly designed quiz. Many apologies to the Jovian, Saturnian, and Uranian DUers out there. You wouldn't believe how difficult is for us earthlings to get accommodation for diversity.

delinquimus, delinquimus maxima

 

olddots

(10,237 posts)
15. 2 wrong and I knew which ones they were
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:11 PM
Apr 2013

I freak out on tests, graduated high school at 19 and have the brain of a pea

lunasun

(21,646 posts)
16. You scored better than 85% of the public, below 7% and the same as 8%. Wow that is scary because
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:11 PM
Apr 2013

I admit not knowing much science wise at all but still above more than 85% of the public
Not good news for America if a science dummy like me is in the top 15-20%!

Gman

(24,780 posts)
18. Are you smarter than a 5th grader type of quiz
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:15 PM
Apr 2013

The stats of people who do poorly are incredible. And the dumber people are the more likely they are to vote Republican. The GOP has an interest in keeping people ignorant. Fox News is the perfect example.

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
22. Here's an interesting and related thread.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:17 PM
Apr 2013

Multiple Scientific Studies Confirm: Extreme Conservatism Linked To Racism And Low I.Q.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/101661795

Gman

(24,780 posts)
28. Yeah, saw that earlier
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:25 PM
Apr 2013

But those are only the latest studies. The research has been going on and published now for several years. They all seem to be sound studies. There are a couple out that even indicate conservatism is a disorder.

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
30. There's an intersting (and free to download) book about the authoritarian mindset.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:30 PM
Apr 2013
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/

For me, this book explained a lot of behavior that I'd previously been puzzled by. I downloaded it and read it on my daily train commute, nearly missed my stop as I neared the end.

From the author-
This book was written in 2006, halfway through George W. Bush’s second term as president. A great deal was wrong with America then, and I thought the research on authoritarian personalities could explain a lot of it. Since then a new administration has been elected, and although it has had to deal with a very serious economic crisis brought on by others, it is taking steps to correct some of what is wrong.

However, the forces that largely caused the problems have remained on the scene, and are more active today than ever before. As I try to show in the “Comment on the Tea Party Movement” (link to the left), the research findings in this book apply at least as strongly to America today as they did four years ago. Indeed, the events of 2009 and 2010 have confirmed conclusion after conclusion in The Authoritarians. I wrote in 2006 that the authoritarians in America were not going to go away if they lost the 2008 election, that they would be infuriated if a new president tried to carry out his mandate. That has certainly been the case.

If you check the “hit counter” on this page, you’ll see that this site has been visited nearly 300,000 times so far. The feedback I’ve gotten from those who have read The Authoritarians enables me to give you the major reason why you might want to do so too. “It ties things together for me,” people have said, “You can see how so many things all fit together.” “It explains the things about conservatives that didn’t make any sense to me,” others have commented. And the one that always brings a smile to my face, “Now at last I understand my brother-in-law” (or grandmother, uncle, woman in my car pool, Congressman, etc.).

Maybe it’ll work that way for you too.

Bob Altemeyer
May, 2010

alittlelark

(18,886 posts)
19. 13 of 13 was too easy to get.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:16 PM
Apr 2013

The only one I had to think about for a few seconds was atmosphere.

I hope their results are not accurate.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
24. 13/13
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:18 PM
Apr 2013

And I found it quite simple, even after a few beers. The fact that I was in the top 7% was the most stupefying thing about that whole experience.

eridani

(51,907 posts)
140. My age demographic sucked (65+)
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:39 AM
Apr 2013

Brain deterioration? Lower average educational attainment? 13/13, what almost everyone got except for a few who missed one.

RobinA

(9,875 posts)
179. Some of That Stuff
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:19 PM
Apr 2013

wasn't around, or around much, when you guys were in school. I'm 55 and plate tectonics was a page mention in a science book. If you look at a current science text and it's got chapters. The only reason I know fracking is I live in PA. No fracking back in my school days.

LiberalAndProud

(12,799 posts)
34. My first thought was, gawd I hope not. (12)
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:34 PM
Apr 2013

Unlike the science nerds posting before me, I'm science impaired.

 

Bannakaffalatta

(94 posts)
35. 7%? Seriously?
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:34 PM
Apr 2013

Somebody needs to put a little more money and a little less union-busting into the education system. That's grade 6 level science (and no technology). Why do people not know?

rrneck

(17,671 posts)
36. 12/13 I missed "nitrogen".
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:35 PM
Apr 2013

That was a very easy test. It's a little disconcerting since I am not really all that into science.

icarusxat

(403 posts)
96. I prefer to think of us as getting 15 out of 13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:01 AM
Apr 2013

This would bring our average to over 100%...I didn't even have to check my DL...

Heywood J

(2,515 posts)
237. That was the only thing I got wrong.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 10:54 PM
Apr 2013

Seriously. I got 13/13 and then promptly forgot that I had just crossed one of the boundaries between age groups... six months ago. Yes, I failed at filling in my own age properly.

CBHagman

(16,968 posts)
41. I got one wrong.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:38 PM
Apr 2013

Believe me, I'm relieved, as I don't claim any particular knowledge of science, though I read a bit here and there.

Go Vols

(5,902 posts)
44. I got 13/13
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:40 PM
Apr 2013

and I just got home from the bar and smoked a bowl.

Should be harder,did Jesus ride dinosaurs?

BootinUp

(46,924 posts)
46. 13/13..."You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%."
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:46 PM
Apr 2013

Fuck...our society is going downhill.

Show me the Money!!!!!!!

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
47. I would expect all sixth graders to know all of the correct answers.
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:47 PM
Apr 2013

It didn't seem like very complex information.

13/13

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
48. 13/13
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:47 PM
Apr 2013

Science nerd as well. Just got done helping my 9th grade daughter do animal dissections at home for a comparative anatomy project (after helping my older daughter study for a Calculus quiz).

ecstatic

(32,566 posts)
50. 12, and ashamed at the what I missed
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 11:49 PM
Apr 2013

The question about which gas makes up most of the earth's atmosphere. I simply forgot. Still inexcusable.

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
158. Duh moment
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:03 AM
Apr 2013

Anyone can have a "duh" moment. A momentary mental confusion where you screw up something you actually know perfectly well. I'd be more concerned if you got it wrong, and argued with the answer.

And that one is a very common error by the by. I was a bit surprised they put it in there. You'll find that in various "brain teasers" where they try to "trick" you into giving a wrong answer.

cynatnite

(31,011 posts)
56. I missed one and I'm embarrassed by it, too...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:04 AM
Apr 2013

I really know very little about it, but I know it's been discussed a lot on DU.

It was the fracking question.

 

lumberjack_jeff

(33,224 posts)
58. They ask about education; they should have asked if the respondent reads DU. 13/13.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:08 AM
Apr 2013

The 7% of the public who can answer the questions correctly apparently all post at DU.

Diremoon

(86 posts)
59. Liberal thing, conservatives wouldn't understand
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:09 AM
Apr 2013

I see that a lot of people here did well. If PEW had broken down by political inclination, I suspect that liberals would have been shown to have a better understanding than conservatives. (13/13 - I was competitive about grades in school too).

BainsBane

(53,001 posts)
61. 12
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:11 AM
Apr 2013

Which I consider good since I am very far from a science nerd. Those were common knowledge questions though.

octothorpe

(962 posts)
63. two out of thirteen correct.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:12 AM
Apr 2013

I always use sunblock when I used my microwave. Also, I don't understand the question about iPod nanos. And the earth doesn't have an atmosphere, we have gravity instead. Such a lame test.




....such a lame response on my part too.


13/13...I don't see how anyone could do poorly on that.

brett_jv

(1,245 posts)
218. You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:05 PM
Apr 2013

Why are people posting ANSWERS to some of the questions in their Reply Title? That's lame.

This test was uber-easy for anyone with any semblance of a science background.

octothorpe

(962 posts)
69. Or your memory of stuff from middle school just faded...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:24 AM
Apr 2013

Even though I got them all right, it was more like "oh yeah, I recall something about red blood cells carrying oxygen" or "I recall something about nitrogen making up most of our atmosphere." Past that, I have little to no useful knowledge in my head about either of those. I suspect that most of everyone else who hasn't taught or worked with any of those topics in depth, wouldn't be able to give a basic presentation on them.

demosincebirth

(12,518 posts)
75. I drove a truck for 40years. I don't remember any of that from school, I just enjoy reading
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:33 AM
Apr 2013

interesting stuff.

Xyzse

(8,217 posts)
66. 13/13 - This is a joke right?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:20 AM
Apr 2013

Wait a tic, I just saw a 4th grader test earlier that made me hurt due to the "stupid"...
Ok, fine, I guess this wasn't a joke.

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
73. 13/13 here as well
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:33 AM
Apr 2013

I'd say 9 of the questions are common sense and the remaining 4 require a bit of knowledge of biology, chemistry or physics.

 

HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)
79. is this another 'how stupid americans are' thread?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:44 AM
Apr 2013

doesn't take a science nerd to score well on that test.

i find it hard to believe the statistics. Only 59% of college grads correctly answered that electrons are smaller than atoms?

I just don't believe that.

 

SCVDem

(5,103 posts)
80. 13/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:44 AM
Apr 2013

You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%.

I'm a science geek.

I think it started with Fireball XL-5

 

Mr. X

(72 posts)
81. 12/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:44 AM
Apr 2013

Had a derp moment on question 2, thought that electrons were atoms. I realized I derped up after I hit next question, no back button.

The majority of this stuff is basic knowledge though... Which kinda makes me fear for the future of our world since even with my brainfart I still got more right the the majority of people who would take this test.

... I'm interested as to what Michele Bachman's or Sarah Palin's score would be.

rightsideout

(978 posts)
137. I missed that one
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:21 AM
Apr 2013

And I build and service electric vehicles and build battery packs. I should know my electrons.

prairierose

(2,145 posts)
82. 12/13 but that is because...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:45 AM
Apr 2013

I forgot to click on one answer before I hit next question....silly...I told myself the answer and hit next question and then thought...oops...there was no going back, only forward...rats

Common Sense Party

(14,139 posts)
85. 13/13, which surprised me, because I am not a science guy.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:47 AM
Apr 2013

But it was pretty easy. Nitrogen was the toughest one.

Mopar151

(9,965 posts)
88. 12/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:51 AM
Apr 2013

And either read one wrong, or there's a typo - coulda sworn the question said "white" blood cells.

Apparently Jeff Foxworthy (secret nerd - he was an engineer for Honeywell) was aiming a little high with "Are you smarter than a fifth-grader?"

Response to Snarkoleptic (Original post)

Wounded Bear

(58,437 posts)
99. Aced.....easy questions....
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:02 AM
Apr 2013

The really sad part to me is that almost all of those questions are things that should be mentioned in many, many news stories but aren't for fear of freaking out the fundies.

If people heard these things more often in the context of disaster and weather reporting, they'd be better informed.

Our infotainment industry is letting us down as much as the education system. Plus, it doesn't have the excuse of the kind of constant attacks that have been made on education in America. Our media is stupid because it is more profitable to be that way.

Idiocracy was a predictive documentary.

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
101. Very easy, I think I could have aced that after a pub crawl.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:05 AM
Apr 2013

Granted, I admit I'm a science geek as well.

 

dballance

(5,756 posts)
107. I got 13/13 - too easy
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:09 AM
Apr 2013

If people who have a HS Diploma or GED can't pass that test I'm very disappointed.

Blue_In_AK

(46,436 posts)
109. 11 of 13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:12 AM
Apr 2013

You scored better than 75% of the public, below 15% and the same as 10%.


Not too bad for someone who does not and never has understood physics. Besides, I'm old and I was a legal secretary/paralegal all my life. How am I supposed to know all this stuff? Osmosis?

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
115. Too easy. 13/13. Who could possibly get any of those wrong?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:29 AM
Apr 2013

The only question I had issues with, but answered the way I know it's done, was the human testing. I have issues on that...


No Vested Interest

(5,156 posts)
119. I may have the lowest score published here-
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:35 AM
Apr 2013

10/13.
Senior person here, poli sci & history studies; never took a chemistry course.
Some of those terms were not even known (to average person) when I was in school.

Excuses don't count, though.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
125. Scares me that people are that uninformed....
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:48 AM
Apr 2013

You answered 13 of 13 questions correctly.

You scored better than 93% of the public and the same as 7%.

Nabbysensei

(19 posts)
126. Is this test even real?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:50 AM
Apr 2013

Is this test even real? I mean I'm not surprised everyone here on DU did well, it's just to easy. I took the test and my first response was, O.o. Really !??
This test is obviously an Alien plot to weed out the more productive workers amongst us. I used a false gender, hopes that keeps me safe. "hides"

MADem

(135,425 posts)
129. Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:59 AM
Apr 2013

What a moron--I got that wrong and KNEW the damn answer!

Ah, well--a regular dozen, not a baker's!!

Bette Noir

(3,581 posts)
135. That struck me as an awfully easy test.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:01 AM
Apr 2013

I don't consider myself a "science nerd," but a well-read and curious person without advanced education in physics or math. As an RN, I am pretty well-versed in the biosciences, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I wonder how many would score 100% on a really hard test?

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
217. agreed, 13/13 makes me wonder about 50% of the population that only gets
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 03:32 PM
Apr 2013

8 right.

Explains Professional wrestling and NASCAR though.

Archaic

(273 posts)
138. I'm glad they showed the demographic info.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:28 AM
Apr 2013

I found that very interesting.

13/13 here.

Thanks for the link.

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
144. Was that really a science test?
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:57 AM
Apr 2013

What was the science part? It was more common sense. I got the 13 but how utterly sad that it represents 7% of the population. It couldn't have always been that only 7% of the population would be able to answer those questions correctly. If someone missed one of the questions, big deal. But less than that and it's just not a good day for education. Sorry but I'm skeptical of Pew Research.

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)
146. I took chemistry but not any science other than that, so I did much better than I expected.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 03:07 AM
Apr 2013

Very interesting.

Live and Learn

(12,769 posts)
148. 13/13 And I don't consider myself a science whiz at all.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 03:15 AM
Apr 2013

The question were pretty easy. I am surprised at how poorly the majority did.

Edited to add: Now if it had been a geography quiz, I am sure I would have failed. Someone told me they were going to Halifax and I had to ask what country that was in. The really sad part is that I have actually been there before.

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)
151. 13/13, and it was way too easy.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 06:30 AM
Apr 2013

You could answer these questions with knowledge you stumble upon while surfing the web or watching TV.

If they had asked: "How do greenhouse gases cause global warming?"
THAT would have required some thinking.

Bay Boy

(1,689 posts)
154. Did you notice the crafty question about global warming...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 07:01 AM
Apr 2013

...they snuck in? Clever bastards just snuck it in, making us agree that it's a real thing.

PDJane

(10,103 posts)
157. 13. But then, I'm older....and the school system was more thorough on some things!
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 08:49 AM
Apr 2013

Mind you, I don't miss Home Economics. Useless class.

kentauros

(29,414 posts)
159. I wouldn't call myself a science nerd,
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:13 AM
Apr 2013

so I was surprised at how easy that quiz was! Yes, I also got 13 out of 13, but I've found the following a much better quiz, for many (hopefully obvious) reasons:

http://freerice.com/

 

MindPilot

(12,693 posts)
160. Apparently more than 93%
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:15 AM
Apr 2013

A bit of a science geek, but with very little formal education in the sciences. My degree is in Education.

I agree with some of the other posters here; those questions are not about "science" so much as just general what I like to call "walkin' around knowledge"...stuff you need to know to get though the day. I went through that as fast as I could read and click; the only one I think I had to slow down for was the example of a chemical reaction.

Another indictment of our educational system; and channels that call themselves "History", "Science", and "Discovery" should actually be about those things instead of Boo-Boo and woo-woo.

LibertyLover

(4,788 posts)
161. 13/13 and I was
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:23 AM
Apr 2013

a history major in college. Woot! Actually I like science a lot. Has anyone been watching the 4 part Nova series on Australia? If not, you are missing a treat.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
163. 11/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 09:45 AM
Apr 2013

I don't know anything about laser technology, and haven't spent time studying the atmosphere. I don't read much of any kind of science except that related to health, diet, or gardening. I'm not a science nerd of any kind, although I certainly value science.

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
165. 13/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 10:22 AM
Apr 2013

Only 31% of college grads know that the atmosphere is mostly nitrogen? Awful, considering that atmospheric physics is a "hot" topic.

whttevrr

(2,345 posts)
166. Electrons and atoms
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 10:36 AM
Apr 2013

That question made me wonder if the 11 dimensional quantum foam was taken into consideration... or if an electron is more wavelike than particle can it really be measured directly? Then I figured it was more a classical Bohrs model they were using so I begrudgingly selected the so called correct answer.

But, could the existence of an excitation event cause an electron to take up more space than an atom? I mean, most of an atom is actually empty space. And, if given the right energy, couldn't an electron superpose to a greater volume than a low energy atom?

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
167. You answered 12 of 13 questions correctly.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 10:42 AM
Apr 2013

You scored better than 85% of the public, below 7% and the same as 8%.

WilmywoodNCparalegal

(2,654 posts)
169. 13/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 10:51 AM
Apr 2013

Can't believe 93% of the population did worse. I didn't think those questions were particularly difficult. On edit: the nitrogen question gave me pause, but only because I learned that fact in Italy so I had to translate 'nitrogen' into Italian to make sure I was right. Nitrogen in Italian is azoto. And then I remembered.

 

RC

(25,592 posts)
171. What an absurdly simple test.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 11:07 AM
Apr 2013

I got all 13 correct. 6th graders should be able to pass this with flying colors.
The dismal results of the test does not bode well for the educational system in this country.

 

workinclasszero

(28,270 posts)
172. 12/13 GED...public schools
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 11:43 AM
Apr 2013

Better than 85% of the general public? Wow....

That explains fox "news", hate radio, teabaggers and the Republican Party I guess.

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)
173. I wouldn't have thought I was that much above average
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 11:50 AM
Apr 2013

But according to this quiz, yes.

How can more than 30% of the respondents be answering less than half of these questions correctly? That doesn't seem possible.

wryter2000

(46,016 posts)
178. 13/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:19 PM
Apr 2013

I don't see how the fracking question is science. There wasn't a single question about biology, botany, or anthropology in there. I guess I mean "natural sciences."

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
181. 13/13. I get the average person missing one or two...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:23 PM
Apr 2013

But for cripes sake, this is mostly stuff kids in grade school should know. It is *terrifying* that less than half the respondents know electrons are smaller than atoms. And only TWENTY PERCENT knew Nitrogen was the primary gas in the atmosphere?

I'm looking at the roll-up and the average score among college graduates was 10. AVERAGE. Which means there are tons of college grads out there scoring 8s and 7s. HOW???

JHB

(37,128 posts)
185. Here's an interesting part:
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:49 PM
Apr 2013

From the page about the study, not the questions at the OP link:
http://www.people-press.org/2013/04/22/publics-knowledge-of-science-and-technology/

Many Say U.S. Students Are Outranked in Science

A plurality of Americans (44%) say that average American 15-year-olds rank at the bottom on standardized tests of science knowledge, when compared with students in other developed nations. That is incorrect: According to the most recent available data from the Program for International Student Assessment, U.S. students rank among the middle of OECD nations.

The survey finds that 35% correctly know that U.S. 15-year-olds are about in the middle when it comes to science knowledge; 7% say incorrectly that American students rank among the top of developed nations.

College graduates are more likely than those with less education to underestimate the performance of U.S. teens on standardized science tests. More than half of college graduates (56%) say that American students rank near the bottom among developed countries. That compares with 46% of those with some college experience who do not have a degree and 36% of those with no more than a high school education.


Of course, there are only campaigns for "solutions" to our "failing schools". There isn't exactly the same promotional budget to advertise that the problems of failing schools is somewhat more limited that interested parties would have you believe.

madmom

(9,681 posts)
186. 12 out of 13 here too...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 12:53 PM
Apr 2013

also missed the same question about our atmosphere. This from a lowly little high school graduate from about 40 years ago. I guess reading does make you smarter

sendero

(28,552 posts)
189. Pretty easy..
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:19 PM
Apr 2013

.... but even though I got all 13 I'll admit there was one that I wasn't 100% sure about

War Horse

(931 posts)
195. 12/13. I knew it wasn't oxygen,
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:30 PM
Apr 2013

so I picked hydrogen. But I guess a lot of things would go 'boom' if that were the case...

auburngrad82

(5,029 posts)
199. I got 12/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:48 PM
Apr 2013

I missed which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere?

I don't feel bad because only 31% of the demographic that scored the best on this question got it right.

Chisox08

(1,898 posts)
200. 12/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 01:49 PM
Apr 2013

I picked Hydrogen instead of Nitrogen. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe but somehow I forgot that nitrogen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere.

SamKnause

(13,037 posts)
206. Test
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:21 PM
Apr 2013

13 out of 13.

I was very pleasantly surprised.

I am 60 with only a high school education.

The internet has been a wonderful source of information and a great teaching tool for me.

I love watching documentaries, reading papers from around the world, listening to debates, following the world's politics, learning about new discoveries by anthropologists, keeping up with new scientific inventions etc.

Buns_of_Fire

(17,119 posts)
208. If I only knew the difference between "infrared" and "ultraviolet" I would've aced it.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:24 PM
Apr 2013

So I'm a second-tier geek. I can live with that.

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
210. Effin' dismal, but a few rays of hope.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:30 PM
Apr 2013

One bright spot is that in the first graph of the overall results, it skews toward the high end., where more people know most of the answers. And, for the most part, the results are better as the population gets younger. Looking at the 65+ crowd, it's not surprising that most of the ignorant teabaggers are from this age group. But, it shocks me that the younger crowd doesn't know about greenhouse gases, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or what's the substance that's being fracked. I thought kids these days were more up on that kind of stuff.

Mosby

(16,160 posts)
211. number 11 is wrong and/or a gross oversimplification
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:43 PM
Apr 2013

control groups are going away due to ethical concerns.

Today the main approach is using multiple therapies for the IV but not a control group.

http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1513/pats.200706-073JK

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
225. No, it isn't.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:57 PM
Apr 2013

There were only two options presented and of the two one was VASTLY SUPERIOR.

You can nitpick plenty of multiple choice questions by saying they should have included another better answer in the choices but that wasn't the point. The point was seeing if people even understood the concept of taking basic steps to see if the results you are getting are actually because of the thing you are testing.

Mosby

(16,160 posts)
229. no, one option was not vastly superior
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:36 PM
Apr 2013

But I understand that with a question like this one should pick the "best answer"

Look at the question:

Which is the better way to determine whether a new drug is effective in treating a disease? If a scientist has a group of 1,000 volunteers with the disease to study, should she…

The best way is to test the new drug against the old drug. Testing the new drug against a control group is stupid, because we don't know if the new drug works better than the standard treatment.

Its almost like the pharm industry wrote that question.

 

gcomeau

(5,764 posts)
230. Yes, one was. You're introducing unlisted conditions.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:43 PM
Apr 2013

It didn't ask to determine if the new drug was more effective than an older drug. It didn't even say there WAS an older drug. The new drug could very well have been and attempt to find a treatment for something there was no treatment for.

It asked to test to determine if the new drug was effective. That's it. Then it asked which of the two approaches listed was *better*. Since only one of them was even capable of differentiating the drug effect from any other source of an effect on the disease one was immeasurably better than the other.

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
213. The results of that are very, very disappointing.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 02:48 PM
Apr 2013

The questions were so basic, yet only 7% got all thirteen right. I would have gotten them all correct when I was 10 years old. If that's where we are, things are very, very bad.

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
214. Some people have mentioned that some of the
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 03:03 PM
Apr 2013

issues in that quiz weren't known when us geezers went to school.

Mostly, that's not true.

Fracking, for example, under the name of hydraulic fracturing was first used in the late 1940s, and I learned about it by reading a book about the oil business when I was 10 years old.

Plate tectonics was being discussed in the popular science magazines in the 50s, when I first learned about it. It explained nicely why South America and Africa look like they might have been together.

Nanotechnology didn't exist in my childhood, but the prefix "nano-" did, so that would have been obvious if I had seen that question in fifth or sixth grade.

We may not have studied all those things in school, but the information was certainly available for the curious among us.

I'm almost 68. If I hadn't gotten 13 right, I'd have seen my doctor about my mental state, frankly.

sweetapogee

(1,168 posts)
216. If Pew really wants to show the world ...
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 03:27 PM
Apr 2013

just how dumb we are here they should put up one that contains second year High School Algebra.

brett_jv

(1,245 posts)
219. Everyone try the News Quiz as well!!!
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:08 PM
Apr 2013
http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/the-news-iq-quiz/

I bet we all do smoking good on that one too.

Doing it now ...

Edit: Dang it ... missed one on teh news quiz:

"You answered 12 of 13 questions correctly along with 11% of responders."

I got my governors mixed up ...
 

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)
228. I perfecto'd that one, too, but its choice of material is dubious.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:21 PM
Apr 2013

There's a heavy reliance on identifying public officials by their photos. I could see someone being very well informed but not knowing what some of these folks look like.

In the question where you're asked to pick Elizabeth Warren out of a group of photos, I knew her but didn't recognize one of the other women.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
221. 11/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:11 PM
Apr 2013

Better than I expected.

Didn't know Nitrogen was so prevalent.

I did not want to say lasers focus on sound ways but then remembered that the lasers in Star Wars made noise.

cyberswede

(26,117 posts)
224. 12/13 - I missed the one about the earth's atmosphere. d'oh!
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 04:53 PM
Apr 2013

Onyl 31% of college grads get that one right. I still feel stupid for missing it.

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)
226. 13/13 Better than 97% of the population????
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:00 PM
Apr 2013

Bloody Hell!!!!! Are American really that dumb??????

Edited to add: OK the figures are for my demographic (65+); but, still --- Bloody Hell!

mimi85

(1,805 posts)
231. 11/13 and 11/13 on both quizzes
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:43 PM
Apr 2013

And I suck at science, but I'm a political junkie. Multiple choice made it easy. Ask a friend to write down the answers, but don't give them the multiple choice and then THAT would be hard.

The other quiz is at http://www.pewresearch.org/quiz/the-news-iq-quiz/

kimbutgar

(20,873 posts)
233. I got 12/13
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 05:56 PM
Apr 2013

The one I got wrong was "Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere?" Nitogen is the correct answer, but I don't feel bad because only 31% of college graduates answered it correctly and it was the hardest question in the list. I guess going to all those museums though the years and watching science shows paid off.

Snarkoleptic

(5,995 posts)
240. Yep, that was a toughie and the front-runner for most difficult question.
Thu Apr 25, 2013, 11:49 PM
Apr 2013

Overall, I'm convinced DUers are way smarter than the average peeps!

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