Questions 28 - 40
Read the passage and answer questions 28-40.
Measuring Intelligence
A Intelligence has been defined as ‘a property of mind that enables us to perform a wide variety of mental activities that include reasoning, planning, solving problems and learning new things’. However psychologists that focus on ways to measure intelligence, define it as ‘the degree to which one can adapt to one’s environment’.
B The first attempts in the modern era to systematically measure intelligence date back to the beginning of the 20th century. French psychologist Alfred Binet published the first modern intelligence test, the Binet-Simon intelligence scale in 1905. His original intention was to identify students that needed extra academic support. Unfortunately, he was not able to complete his work, managing just two revisions of his initial study, before he passed away in 1911 at the age of 54.
C Englishman Sir Francis Galton also contributed to the development of intelligence measurement techniques. His research focused on a slightly different aspect of intelligence that he called psychometrics. This area of study was concerned with the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. Like Binet, he also started his research by focusing on the differences between individuals and groups of individuals. Galton studied people’s ‘everyday activities’ for several weeks and noted that although the activities are common to all people, there were considerable variations in terms of the mental processes required to perform the tasks. Galton’s psychometric point of view and Binet’s idea of a scale-based measurement of intelligence opened new avenues for further research and inspired other psychologists.
D The next significant step along the road to measuring intelligence was in 1912 through the work of William Stern. Although Stern did not follow directly on from Binet’s work, his research popularised the term intelligence quotient or IQ. It was Stanford University psychologist Lewis Terman who did continue Binet’s work showing, through the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, that IQ could be measured. Almost a century later, one of the most effective measurement tools of human intelligence is based upon Stern’s original IQ test. Later, in 1906 while at Stanford, Terman published a revised and perfected Binet-Simon scale for American populations. This Stanford Revision of the Binet-Simon Scale, soon became known as the Stanford-Binet, was considered to be the best available individual intelligence test of its day. Terman’s work focused on the scientific diagnosis and classification of children based on their intelligence. Terman followed Stern's research methods and measured human intelligence through use of a formula - the ratio of mental age and chronological age multiplied by 100. Terman’s research enabled schools to organise special classes for the students with a low score on the intelligence scale and to develop an advanced curriculum for students who were of superior intelligence. From 1949 to 1955, psychologist David Wechsler developed an integrated intelligence measurement tool. This tool was used to measure the intelligence of both adults and children. Wechsler’s tests have grown in popularity amongst today’s psychologists with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children being commonly used for adults and children alike.
E Like all revolutionary inventions, the measurement of IQ also went through a lot of changes during the early phases of its development. Gradually, the complex testing format was simplified and standardised. During the 1990s, IQ measurement was reduced to simply answering some questions in a 30-minute test. IQ measurement systems have proven to be so popular that organisations, clubs and societies have formed which only accept members with certain IQ levels. The most well-known of these groups, Mensa International, was founded by an Australian barrister Roland Berrill after he received financial assistance from British technologist, Dr. Lancelot Ware. Mensa only accepts members who have scored in the top 2% of a standardised IQ test. Gradually a number of similar clubs and societies have formed worldwide, many of them now well-established authorities that promote human intelligence studies for the benefit of greater humanity.
F In the present day, psychologists have grouped IQ test forms based on the precise aspects of intelligence to be tested. These IQ tests are usually a mix of problems aimed at measuring short-term memory, pinpointing verbal knowledge, exploring spatial visualisation and calculating the speed of perception. Based upon the method used, some tests have a total time limit while others have a specific time limit for each subset. When it comes to measuring high intelligence however, tests are neither bound by time nor by supervision.
G The acceptance of modern IQ testing systems increased when the Guinness Book of World Records added a category which they called ‘Highest IQ’. Many were surprised to learn that Marilyn Savant, the one given the title, was a university drop-out. There are, however, groups of people who oppose the concept of measuring intelligence. They represent a school of thought that conclude that intelligence is something too abstract to measure and to express in terms of numeric values. It is believed that the development of computer technology will someday resolve the controversies surrounding how intelligence is measured.
Questions 28-34
Look at the following statements (Questions 28-34) and the list of people below.
Match each statement with the person to whom it refers.
Write your answers A-H in boxes 28-34 on your answer sheet.
28 the foundation for one of the best present-day intelligence measurement tools
29 intellectual ability to do daily work varies from person to person
30 a wealthy man who helped someone to implement an idea
31 the pioneer of contemporary intelligence testing
32 highly intelligent but did not complete university
33 invented a mathematical rule to measure intelligence
34 originated the concept of a group that only accepts members who have high IQs
List of People
A Lewis Terman
B Marilyn Savant
C William Stern
D Roland Berrill
E Francis Galton
F Alfred Binet
G David Wechsler
H Lancelot Ware
Questions 35-40
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
In boxes 35-40 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
35 Psychologists that measure intelligence define it as being how easily people can change to suit their surroundings.
36 Binet studied intelligence in order to locate students with learning problems.
37 Galton’s research showed that regular human activities use different parts of the brain.
38 Stern’s IQ test is considered the best intelligence measurement tool today.
38 Stern’s IQ test is considered the best intelligence measurement tool today.
39 IQ tests must be supervised by a qualified professional.
40 Computers are expected to solve the problems related to the measurement of IQ.
ANSWERS
28 C It is mentioned in Section D that almost a century later, William Stern’s test is still considered as the basis (i.e. foundation) for one of the most effective measurement tools of human intelligence.
29 E It is mentioned in Section C that Francis Galton studied people’s everyday activities (i.e. daily works) and noted considerable variations in terms of the mental (intellectual) processes to perform tasks.
30 H It is mentioned in Section E that Lancelot Ware was an affluent (i.e. wealthy) professional who financially helped Berrill to implement the idea of forming a club.
31 F It is mentioned in Section B that Alfred Binet published the first (i.e. pioneer) modern (i.e. contemporary) intelligence test.
32 B It is mentioned in Section G that Marilyn Savant, a university drop-out (i.e. did not continue study) had the highest IQ in the world.
33 A It is stated in Section D that Terman developed a formula (i.e. mathematical rule) to measure intelligence.
34 D It is mentioned that in Section E that Roland Berrill started Mensa International that accepted the top 2% IQ scorers as members.
35 True It is mentioned that psychologists define intelligence as ‘the degree to which one can adapt to one’s environment’, which means people’s ability to change (adapt) to suit their surroundings (i.e. environment).
36 True Section B mentions that Binet’s intention of developing intelligence test was to identify (i.e. locate) students that needed extra academic support, which means the students who had learning problems.
37 Not Given Section C mentions about Galton’s work on individuals and groups of individuals but it does not mention whether or not his researcSh showed that regular human activities use different parts of the brain.
38 Not Given Section D mentions that almost a century later, one of the most effective measurement tools of human intelligence is based upon Stern’s original IQ test. It does not mention that Stern’s test is the best. Also, ‘based upon’ does not mean that Stern’s test is the tool. The answer is not given.
39 False Section F mentions that high intelligence tests are not bound by supervision, which means supervision is not mandatory (i.e. a must) for all tests.
40 True Section G mentions that someday computers will resolve the controversies (i.e. problems) on how intelligence is measured.
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