Test the nation--English

[allana]

The BBC--bless their hearts--runs a programme called Test The Nation every so often. They have a bunch of celebrities in the studio competing against various teams. I have no idea what the teams are this time, but they've included teams of hairdressers, rugby players, doctors, decorators in the past. Oh, having flicked back, they've got freshers, surgeons, receptionists and greengrocers.

Anyway. Tonight it's English. I've just romped through the test online and scored 55/70. I'm a bit miffed. I really don't think they should have questions about text messaging in an English test.

Take the test here. (You'll need your sound on, also, I couldn't persuade it to work in Firefox.)

Comments

[silentinflames.livejournal.com]

I took the test and--partially--guessed my way through it. It's hard to answer questions on proverbs or phrases you never heard of.

However, I scored 40/70 which is not that bad I guess. :)

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

That's not bad at all, B! It's a very general quiz... what's the word I'm looking for? Pop quiz? Lots of it didn't have much to do with English at all :/

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

Well that took forever, and Mark's been yapping on the phone to his mother four feet away the whole time, so I'm actually quite thrilled with my 48/70 score.

(Worked in Firefox for me, by the way.)

[dreammonkey.livejournal.com]

Do we get a scottish one?
Like... what are the main 5 ingredients of A Scotch Pie?

[dreammonkey.livejournal.com]

oh that kind of english.

Started doing it but there were too many questions and i haven't got the attention span...

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

I thought you were writing! And congrats :)

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's longer than your average meme. Hope you're keeping well....

BTW, the dreaded parents are in the Granite City this weekend to unleash some biblical wrath on Alan. Just a wee warning in case they spot you on Union Street or something!!

[silentinflames.livejournal.com]

My biggest problem was understanding the sound bits. Some of it was a bit low and mumbled and drowned out by laughter. (Also I am used to American English so when I hear BE it takes a little time for my ears and brain to adapt to that, lol.)

And the part when they ask what those idioms mean. Didn't know many of them so I simply guessed.

The rest was not that difficult.

There's a similar show on German TV. Usually they do IQ or EQ tests with a bunch of celebs and groups as you described: teachers, plumbers, students. Once they had a group of male and female hookers next to a group of clergymen/-women. That was fun. :D