U.S. History
Could You Pass a School Exam From the 1800s?
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Article
Tests are rarely enjoyable, but imagine taking one in the late 1800s, long before multiple-choice options or standardized curricula. Back then, school exams could be long, demanding, and startlingly wide-ranging. You might be asked to diagram sentences, explain the circulation of the blood, name the capitals of ancient empires, or sketch a map — all before lunch. One window into this world is The New Common School Question Book, compiled by Wisconsin superintendent Asa H. Craig. Published in 1899 with earlier versions dating back to 1872, this question book was used by candidates preparing for ...Read More
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