Those who support cultural literacy not only have a specific curricular content in mind but also have a clear idea of what a culturally literate test would look like. How would you rate on such a test? Assume that you have just applied to Cabin Cove Schools -- a place where you have always wanted to teach. To ensure that teachers are "culturally literate," the school board requires that all teacher candidates take a knowledge exam -- to be sure each has received an education in the basics, the things we all should know. Try your hand at the following questions and get a first-hand "feel" for the testing issue.If you score:

• 6--10 correct: You have demonstrated an adequate level of general knowledge. You are culturally literate. Welcome to the Cabin Cove School District.
• 3--5 correct: You have qualified for probationary status. If you agree to enroll in a number of courses at Cabin Cove College, you will be allowed to teach in the public schools.
• Fewer than 3 correct: You have failed the teacher assessment test and will not be offered a position in this community.

History

1			Thomas Jefferson authored
			A)	The Bill of Rights.
			B)	The Declaration of Independence.
			C)	The U.S. Constitution.
			D)	The Emancipation Proclamation.
2			The Federalist Papers were designed to
			A)	win popular support for the American Revolution.
			B)	establish freedom of speech.
			C)	win support for the U.S. Constitution.
			D)	free and enfranchise slaves.
3			Senator Joseph McCarthy was associated with
			A)	government corruption.
			B)	civil rights.
			C)	education funding.
			D)	Communist hunting.
4			The Cherokee syllabary was developed by
			A)	Sitting Bull.
			B)	Maria Tallchief.
			C)	Geronimo.
			D)	Sequoyah.

Literature

5			The novel 1984 concerns
			A)	time travel.
			B)	government-imposed conformity.
			C)	a hoax about an invasion from Mars.
			D)	World War III.
6			Stratford-on-Avon is associated with
			A)	Shakespeare.
			B)	Wollstonecraft.
			C)	Chaucer.
			D)	Shelley.
7			Jane Austen wrote about the Bennett family's five daughters in
			A)	10 Downing Street.
			B)	Pride and Prejudice.
			C)	Midliothian Tales.
			D)	Clarissa.

Science

8			Coal, gas, and oil shortages may result in an increased dependence on electricity. What is your evaluation of this idea?
			A)	The economy cannot be changed that quickly.
			B)	Electric automotive technology will simply not match gasoline engines.
			C)	Electricity is generally produced from coal, gas, and oil, so it cannot replace them.
			D)	The current cost of electricity is much higher than that of coal or gas and somewhat higher than that of gasoline, so it is a very expensive and unlikely eventuality.
9			What is the approximate distance between the earth and the sun?
			A)	90,000 miles
			B)	900,000 miles
			C)	9,000,000 miles
			D)	90,000,000 miles
10			What is the major cause of urban pollution?
			A)	automobiles
			B)	factories
			C)	open incineration of garbage
			D)	heat inversion causing smog