Final exam

Instructions: Read each question careful­ly. Answer all questions. The time limit is two hours. Begin immediately. Do not write on one side of the paper.

 

History: Describe the history of the Papacy from its origins to the present day, concentrating espe­cially, but not exclusively, on its social, political, eco­nomic, reli­gious and philosophical im­pact on Europe, Asia, America and Africa. Be brief, concise and spe­cific.

 

Medicine: You have been provid­ed with a razor blade, a piece of gauze, and a bottle of Scotch. Re­move your appendix. Do not su­ture until you work has been in­spected. You have fifteen min­utes.

 

Public Speaking: 2500 riot‑crazed ab­origines are storming the class­room. Calm them. You may use any ancient language except Latin or Greek.

 

Biology: Create life. Estimate the differ­ences in subsequent human culture if this form of life had developed 500 million years ear­lier, with special atten­tion to its probable effect on the English Parliamentary System. Prove your thesis.

 

Music: Write a piano concerto. Orches­trate and perform it with flute and drum. You will find a piano under your seat.

 

Psychology: Based on your knowledge of their works, evalu­ate the emotional stability, de­gree of adjustment, and repressed frustrations of each of the follow­ing: Alexander of Aphrodisis, Rameses II, Hammurabi. Sup­port your evaluation with quota­tions from each man’s work, mak­ing appropriate refer­ences. It is not necessary to translate.

 

Sociology: Estimate the sociolog­ical problems which might ac­company the end of the world. Construct an experi­ment to test your theory.

 

Engineering: The disassembled parts of a high‑powered rifle have been placed on your desk. You will also find an instruction man­ual, printed in Swahili. In 10 minutes, a hungry Bengal tiger will be admitted to the room. Take whatever action you feel necessary. Be prepared to justify your decision.

 

Economics: Develop a realistic plan for refinancing the national debt. Trace the possible effects of your plan in the following areas: Cubism, the Donatist Controversy and the Wave Theory of Light. Outline a method for preventing these effects. Criticize this meth­od from all possible points of view. Point out the deficiencies in your point of view, as demon­strated in your answer to the last question.

 

Political Science: There is a red tele­phone on the desk beside you. Start World War III. Report at length on its socio‑political ef­fects if any.

 

Epistemology: Take a position for or against truth. Prove the validi­ty of your stand.

 

Physics: Explain the nature of matter. Include in your answer an evaluation of the impact of the development of mathe­matics on science.

 

Philosophy: Sketch the develop­ment of human thought. Estimate its significance. Compare with the development of any other kind of thought.

 

General Knowledge: Describe in detail. Be objective and specific.