|      | |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
| 
11-01-2004, 12:46 PM
| | |  Pupil fails English exam because of Potter 'moral dilemma'
Reuters has an article about a South African schoolboy who failed his English exam after refusing to answer a question on the Harry Potter books due to a 'moral dilemma'. Quote:
Eighteen-year-old John Smit did not answer a comprehension question on a review of one of J.K. Rowling's books on the boy wizard, worth 30 percent of his English exam.
"He wouldn't answer it because it supports witchcraft, and we're against witchcraft.."
Maybe this is a silly question but surely this boy knew prior to the exam which books he'd have to ask questions on? Why then, did he wait until AFTER the exam to make a fuss about it? Why not change schools prior to the exams if he felt it would affect him? Probably because that way, they would've received zilch publicity over it. Had he chosen the previous option, he would not have failed at all. Maybe this is harsh, but it's his own fault he failed.
Source: Reuters via HPANA. | |
11-01-2004, 01:26 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
| | Dragon
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Louisiana - SS!Vet
Posts: 20,492
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Katherine Elizabeth Thomas
Third Year |  Shiny 'Claw Babe
^ My thoughts exactly. Its his own fault he failed..... Weird none the less.
__________________
Ashlie loves Megzy more than anyone else does <3333 MWAH
Cristy loves her fellow Lost fan *huggles*
Ni & Me. We're like PB&J | 
|  | |
11-01-2004, 01:30 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
| | Doxy
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: O---hi---O!!
Posts: 413
|
Crazy... I totally agree, he should have talked with the teacher instead of causing all of this.
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 01:33 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
| | Crup
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lurking
Posts: 2,107
| In Love with Touz | | Lil Mikky-Mu
Wierd... I agree, he shouldn't have waited. What a way to get attention! He obviously cares more about that than doing well on his exam. I respect his opinion, but... eesh.
__________________ 
**Graphics made by Loki** | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 03:16 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
| | Bundimun
Join Date: May 2004 Location: sin city!!!!
Posts: 44
|
that does sound kinda weird and i dont think that a book the deals w/ witchcraft would have nething to do w/ a question on a test. cuz the question probably does not have to deal w/ the concept of magic but more of the plot line.
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 03:21 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
| | Bicorn
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Cumbria,Uk
Posts: 1,755
|
 Okay thats wiered
__________________
"I NEVER GOT MY HOGWARTS LETTER SO I'M MOVING TO FOLKS W.A!"
"AND SO THE LION FELL IN LOVE WITH THE LAMB"
"AND SO THE VAMPIRE,RODE INTO TOWN IN A SILVER VOLVO AND RESCUSED ME!" | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 03:25 PM
|
#7 (permalink)
| | Bicorn
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: the octopus' garden,
Posts: 1,854
| FEE FII FOOO FONA!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcella_Riddle Maybe this is a silly question but surely this boy knew prior to the exam which books he'd have to ask questions on? Sounds like a comprehension piece he was answering on. Of course it depends on the examination body in question, but in general comprehension pieces can be taken randomly from anywhere.
Still, any comprehension is asking you to answer technical english questions. Ensure you can read a passage and comprehend. They rarely[in my experience anyway] ask for any opinion, or require any moral decision, most answers are completely out of the piece context. So where his problem was I don't know. Sounds drama queenish to me.
__________________ 
Graphics made by: noneworld | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 03:42 PM
|
#8 (permalink)
| | Bicorn
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Posts: 1,637
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Ebony Wandson
Graduated
Ministry RPG Name:
Lillian Jones
Department of Mysteries | Zombie Hunter Korn-y
that story is a big load of stinky poo!
stupid boy, no sympathy, he only has himself to blame *sticks tounge out at stupid boy*
__________________
"I must not tell lies"
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 03:54 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
| | Skrewt
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: California
Posts: 1,458
|
That's just wrong. It was only 1 question. Just answer it. It isn't that hard to do. It's not like he would be supporting harry potter just passing the class.
__________________  | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 04:16 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
| | Ashwinder
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: dreamland
Posts: 1,525
|
his fault
__________________   | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 04:43 PM
|
#11 (permalink)
| | Guest |
Oh boy not this witchcraft thing again.. really! when will people in the world realize that the "spells" are just gibberish mostly. They have no real power. Plus the kid is eightteen, he should know the difference between fact and fiction. I bet he never watches tv, reads, or anything cause of his problem with distinguishing reality from imaginary. | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 05:28 PM
|
#12 (permalink)
|  sporksSUBSkrewt
Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sporking Mwahahaa
Posts: 1,300
|  Moo Spork? SPORKY SPORKY!!
Quote:
Maybe this is a silly question but surely this boy knew prior to the exam which books he'd have to ask questions on? Why then, did he wait until AFTER the exam to make a fuss about it? Why not change schools prior to the exams if he felt it would affect him? Probably because that way, they would've received zilch publicity over it. Had he chosen the previous option, he would not have failed at all. Maybe this is harsh, but it's his own fault he failed.
^Not harsh at all!! It is his fault for not paying attention to his class and his teacher!! I can't believe he is such a moron, only to get his name seen in news!!
__________________ Like whoa... | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 06:34 PM
|
#13 (permalink)
|  Portuguese ModeratorThestral
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Neverland
Posts: 39,664
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Margaret Jacqueline Atkinson Morris
Fifth Year | Potter’s Princess A+ FangGirl
Quote:
Originally Posted by LilRavenclaw ^ My thoughts exactly. Its his own fault he failed..... Weird none the less. Exactly!
__________________ I gotta go back to the muggle world,
they're gonna try and tell me this wasn't, that none of this happened,
but you know what? It was real. It did happen.
We spent time here. We made friends here. That's a part of us.
Cause Hogwarts is bigger than any of us, of any of it's founders,
and it's going to be around long after we're gone.
Maybe we'll see our kids come here one day.
That's the thing about Hogwarts.
No matter how long you're away from it, there's always a way back. | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 06:38 PM
|
#14 (permalink)
| | Doxy
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In a lack-of-sleep induced fantasy world of TERROR
Posts: 448
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by fona Sounds like a comprehension piece he was answering on. Of course it depends on the examination body in question, but in general comprehension pieces can be taken randomly from anywhere. I'd agree there- it was most likely a comprehension-type exam so he wouldn't have known what text would come up. On the other hand- I think he has completely over-reacted to the fact that Harry Potter happened to be the extract he was asked to analyse. Had something with extreme views (racism for example) or unsuitable material (graphic violence or sex), then I would feel sympathetic for him. The worst you get in HP is an Acromantula   | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 06:48 PM
|
#15 (permalink)
| | Jobberknoll
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: London
Posts: 488
|
I belive that it was his own fault that he failed the exam. If he had an issue with the books why couldnt he had said something before instead of afterwards. To me this seems like a stupid reason to fail an exam, and it is more likely that he made up the dilema just so he would have an excuse for failing, rather than failing cause he is bad at English. I wish I had an exam that is based on Harry Potter cause then i'd pass no problem, but oh no I have to do Romeo and Juliet. Its so unfair and depressing! | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 06:59 PM
|
#16 (permalink)
| | Mooncalf
Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 539
Fifth |
I respect his opinion to not answer a question due to religious believes. But, I think he should have said something way before time. Not in the middle of an exam. If I ever did that, my teacher would tell me too bad. I guess you going to fail. It should be the same way for this boy too.
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 07:01 PM
|
#17 (permalink)
| | Crup
Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grimmauld Place
Posts: 2,214
|
If it were a pop quiz, or he'd expressed his concerns before the test, then I'd have some sympathy. But, as it is... I have no sympathy for him.
And getting international attention because you fail an exam is a bit much... I don't take issue with Einstein when I fail a math exam. *rolls eyes*
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 08:22 PM
|
#18 (permalink)
| Scandinavian Mod Chimaera
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,755
|
Well I dont know anything about the English exam "system" but I find this very weird...and just...stupid...Sorry boy but well...its kinda your own fault...
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 09:58 PM
|
#19 (permalink)
| | Plimpy
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,136
|
Thats stupid.. if someone protested a book like Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream would that even make the news? Everyone would laugh, but doesn't that have magic too? People like him just like to start trouble and get on the news.
__________________   | |
| | |
11-01-2004, 10:20 PM
|
#20 (permalink)
| | Bowtruckle
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alabama
Posts: 226
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gryffindor prefect I wish I had an exam that is based on Harry Potter cause then i'd pass no problem, but oh no I have to do Romeo and Juliet. Its so unfair and depressing! *gasp* Romeo and Juliet! OMG -- violence, murder, and suicide! Protest! Protest! 
Actually, they should ban MacBeth: it has actual WITCHES!
__________________
"Kreacher, shut up!"
--Harry
Last edited by WildAboutHarry; 11-01-2004 at 10:22 PM.
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 11:45 PM
|
#21 (permalink)
| | Clabbert
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,682
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephanieRiddle Oh boy not this witchcraft thing again.. really! when will people in the world realize that the "spells" are just gibberish mostly. They have no real power. Plus the kid is eightteen, he should know the difference between fact and fiction. I bet he never watches tv, reads, or anything cause of his problem with distinguishing reality from imaginary. no kidding *smacks self in forehead*
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 11:53 PM
|
#22 (permalink)
| | Hinkypunk
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 838
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Bekindi
|
This might seem harsh but what an idiot! I would love to have a hp question in my exam! For my HSC we are doing king Lear, a supplementary booklet, colleridge poetry and a source of my own(Im going to do HP), all representing journey.
He could have written his views on it but argh  idiot.
| |
| | |
11-01-2004, 11:55 PM
|
#23 (permalink)
| | Ghoul
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: *In the gym at RBJH stocking a certain redhead*
Posts: 577
|
strange kid, he should have told the teacher before the exam!! sheesh!! what a way to get on the news!!
| |
| | |
11-02-2004, 12:32 AM
|
#24 (permalink)
| | Bicorn
Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: In front of the TV watching the World Cup
Posts: 1,863
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Cara
Fourth |
wow some people should watch wat they are talking about!
| |
| | |
11-02-2004, 01:28 AM
|
#25 (permalink)
| | Bundimun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 40
|
Moral dilemma? Sounds like an excuse not to answer a question to me...
| |
| | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
| | | All times are GMT. The time now is 09:56 AM. |
