Level: B.A/ B.B.S || Lesson 41 What is Intelligence Any Way? (Issac Asimov, USA 1920-1992)
Words Meaning
Intelligence = wisdom
Base = head quarters
Fuss = excitement
Hastened = hurried
Oracle = prophecy
Took in for granted = supposed
Buck = man
Anxiously = worriedly
Devine = heaven
Moron = very stupid person
Intricate = complex
Absolute = complete
Foist = force
The rest = remaining
Guy = man
Indulgently = generously
Raucously = roughly
Jerk = fool
Smart = clever
Auto-mobile = car
Estimate = expect
Devise = made
Summary
The writer raises a question “Does intelligence mean getting high marks in a Intelligence Test?” Once Asimov scored 160 in an intelligence text when he joined the army. Then the writer himself became happy and took himself as a lucky person but he had to work in kitchen. The writer used to go to mechanics to get his car repaired. He surprised when he saw the mechanic repairing his car. He thought that if the car-mechanic or any other non-academic person would select the questions, the writer would be called stupid. Generally, in intelligence tests, academic question are selected by the people with intelligence interests. He realized that he would be wish only for bookish knowledge. Once the car-mechanic asked him a question. How would a blind man ask scissors from a seller? Then the writer raised his two fingers and made scissoring motions. The mechanic laughed at the writer and said that the blind man could speak and use words to ask for scissors. The writer felt shy.
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Four Levels of Interpretation
Literal Comprehension
The writer raises a question “Does intelligence mean getting high marks in a Intelligence Test?” Once Asimov scored 160 in an intelligence text when he joined the army. Then the writer himself became happy and took himself as a lucky person but he had to work in kitchen. The writer used to go to mechanics to get his car repaired. He surprised when he saw the mechanic repairing his car. He thought that if the car-mechanic or any other non-academic person would select the questions, the writer would be called stupid. Generally, in intelligence tests, academic question are selected by the people with intelligence interests. He realized that he would be wish only for bookish knowledge. Once the car-mechanic asked him a question. How would a blind man ask scissors from a seller? Then the writer raised his two fingers and made scissoring motions. The mechanic laughed at the writer and said that the blind man could speak and use words to ask for scissors. The writer felt shy.
Interpretation
The writer himself faced the problem. He realized that getting higher scores in intelligence, one can’t be called intelligent. For becoming intelligent one should have knowledge of practical life. He says that intelligence is not measured by tests and academic questions.
Critical Thinking
This text is writer’s own personal view. In general people take someone intelligent if he/ she scores high scores in intelligence question but writer goes against this concept.
Assimilation
After reading this text, my concept of intelligence changed. As the writer says that we should have practical knowledge to have intelligence.
Possible Questions
- Why is advanced educational degree always not an indicator of intelligence? What is intelligence anyway?
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