dragonbook

51 An example from Geography 111, Human Geography, on how to figure out the correct answer: Question: On a world scale, livestock perform many functions. Identify the least important one. Possible answers: A) draft power B) milk and meat C) manure D) personal status E) building materials Determining the appropriate answer: If you are enrolled in Geography 111, Human Geography, you will have read a chapter about livestock in India which we also discussed for one class period. Answers A), B), and C) are obviously correct. You have reduced the five possible answers to two: D) or E). Even without knowing the correct answer, you can pick the correct answer. If livestock provide three -- A), B), and C -- important things, then livestock must also give the owners of livestock personal status (D). Now you are left with building materials (E) -- stuff used to construct shelter -- a rather limited use of livestock, given that trees, mud, and stones are far more effective ways of building shelter. The least important use of livestock is, therefore, building materials (E)! Congratulations, you have thought through the correct answer. An example from Geography 188, Cultural Landscapes, on how to figure out the correct answer: Question: Institutions have geographical manifestations, which include all but one of the following: Possible answers: A) location B) ecological C) material structures D) spatial patterns E) social hierarchy. Determining the appropriate answer: If you are enrolled in Geography 188, Cutural Landscapes, we discussed this material in class. Geography is about space and the material content of places. Answers A) and D) are obviously correct. Material structures (C) are buildings, in contrast to non-material structures, such as "the law" or "the family," -- which means then that E) social hierarchy can't be correct. Furthermore, cultural landscapes include buildings and all structures, e.g., walls, fences, billboards, freeways. C) is, then, also correct. Places also include environmental elements of topography, climate, and vegetation. So, B) is also correct. Congratulations, you have thought through the correct answer. And here’s some more information on essay exams from Gregory Wells, used with his permission: TIPS ON WRITING THE ESSAY-TYPE EXAMINATION The well-organized, neat-appearing individual will usually get the nod over another equally capable person who is disorganized and careless in appearance. Although other factors are