Students who are taking the National Merit Scholarship qualifying tests should sharpen up their wits with the sample questions given below. The tests, to be given in the cafeteria on Tuesday, March 8, are open to all juniors who are interested in a college education and would benefit from it.

The sample questions were prepared by the Science Research associates, who constructed the 306 items to be used on the N.M.S.Q. test which is three hours long. The top 10,000 students are to be the semifinalists. The top three per cent will receive letters of recommendation.

In December, 1960, another screening exam will be given to the 10,000 students to determine the finalists. The winners are then granted enough money to assure them of a college education.

The questions below were prepared by the same people who made up the tests. These questions are like the ones to be found on the test.

ENGLISH

"Mr. Pickwick's England disappeared long ago. Few of his present‑day admirers (1) had ever ridden in a mail coach or gone to prison for debt. His articles of apparel bear names that must be looked up in a dictionary.

Choose the best answer for problems 1 and 2.

(1)

1. no change;
2. had ridden ever;
3. have ever ridden;
4. ever had rode.

MATHEMATICS

Jack is preparing a circle graph to show that one‑fourth of his family's income is spent on housing. How big an angle must be measured at the center of the circle to construct the portion of the graph that represents housing costs?

(2)

1. 25 degrees;
2. 45 degrees;
3. 75 degrees;
4. 90 degrees;
5. not given.

A man bowls 129, 147, and 156 in his first three games. What score must he make on his next game in order that his average on the four games will be 150?

(3)

1. 168;
2. 156;
3. 147;
4. 144;
5. e. none of these.

READING

In problems that have to do with reading, a story is first read, then questions pertaining to the story must be answered.

SCIENCE

The phrase "compounds of carbon" means the...

(4)

1. the fleshy part of the human body;
2. chemical substances found free in nature;
3. different atomic structure which carbon can take;
4. products resulting from the union of carbon with other elements.

WORD MEANING

(5) A callow youth ...

1. immature;
2. handsome;
3. illiterate;
4. sickly-looking

ANSWERS
1)c  2)d  3)a  4)d  5)a

Those of you who thought that these questions were relatively simple should sign up in the bookstore sometime today. The test will be given at 7:50 a.m., Tuesday. The cost of the test is $1.