The San Francisco call., 1909-06-09
DEAD WOODCHUCK
PUZZLES SCHOOLS
Fatal WhOOping Cough in Gram
mar Question BOthers Pupils
and Teachers

lover the hills and not far of. the
wOOdchuck died of the whOopinE
cough
proved one of the numerous puzzles to
the pupils of the eighth grade in the
recent grammar examination In their
endeavors to break the sentence into
its subject. predicate and modihers
they wrought greater carnage with
the i'll starred woodchuck than did
even the whooping cough.
The test. which developed such sur
prising results, was intended TO try
out the students'-and incidentally
the teachers'-ab bility TO recognize the
subjects, predicates and modifers OF
selected sentences. Not only were
some of the schools found 10 be def
cient but the standing of some of the
teachers has been called into ques-
tion.
The department had given some con-
other cities by which the technical
study of English grammar had been
eliminated from the curriculum. The
result was taken to indicate that a
deeper study of the subject would be
more 10 the point.
over some OF the sentences the
teachers We're disposed to raise a con-
troversy. holding that they could be
variously construed One of these
sentences was: shouting to his men
ne led them 10 the charge Another
over which there was some discussion
was: Here are your books, lying on
the table
LANCE APPEALED TO
All doubts were removed, however
when the matter was passed to Pro
fessor Lange of the University of Cali
fornis. and he upheld the board OF
education. declaring that the test was
a fair one and that the boards rulings
We're correct.
Here is the list Of sentences from,
which the pupils were called upon 70
select subjects. predicates and the
modifiers of each:
1. On the highest c-sx Of the mountain the
eagle built her nest amid the roaring storms.
2. Over the hills and not far of the wood
8. Prom beneath the roots Of an old tree
swiftly darted the trout
:. The tiger sr.spsd the fawn and bore him
5. Shouting to mis- men. he led them to the
charge.
s. Then out spake bold Horstius, the keeper
death cometh soon OF late.
4. When can men die better than facing
4
! the glory of their Godsl
9. Then, if ever, come perfect days.
g. There is large elm between the house
and the river.
10. Here are your books lying on the table.
IL. often wished he for the raging winds.
IL. The flowers Of sweetest smell are shy and
! lowly.
Is. The navigation Of the Mississippi river
must we have or lose the struggle
IL. Four gray walls and four gray towers
overlook space Of flowers.
Is. The fishes in the water, the birds in the
air, sport in delight.
16.f We the people of the United States, do
ordain and establish this constitution.
II. Black and long and crisp is his hair.
ls. The sun and the moon rise in the east
and set in the west
1s. To and fro in the room of his primitive
! dwelling strobe Miles standish4 the captain Of
/ Plymouth.
/ 20. Suddenly, breaking the silence, the dill.
gent scribe interupting. spake in the pride Of
his heart. Miles Standish.
81. This. he said, with smile dancing in
his eyes.
%. Long At the window he stood and gazed
/ at the landscape
%. Over his countsnance fitted a shadow like
those on the landscape
"a. Far away In the mountain side sun.
beam falls from the opening skies