Finals are not as hard as they could, should be

I hear them complain about the 100-point test that forces them to open their ridiculously priced textbooks. 

I hear these cries of anguish all over campus. Students might think they have it tough here at Cal State Long Beach, but I beg to differ.

The other day I came across an old test given to students in Kern County. Some of the questions include:
History:

1. Give a brief account of the causes that led to the Civil War. 

Name four battles and the opposing general in each.

2. Give an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Tell all you can of the events of the McKinley administration.

3. What were the causes of the War of 1812? The results?

Geography:

1. Name and locate five of the principal ocean currents, and give their effect on the adjacent countries.

2. Compare and contrast Germany and Russia as to physiography, government, education and industries.

3. Discuss the surface climate, native animals and industries of Australia.

Grammar:

1. Name and define the parts of speech. Give the parts that are inflected.

2. Define and illustrate: complement, clause, infinitive, participle and collective noun.

3. Name and define the tenses. Illustrate the use of will and shall.

Arithmetic:
1. A man spent one-sixth of his salary on clothing, one-twentieth for rent, one-fourth for food and he had $640 left. What salary did he receive?

2. A man sold an article for $24 and lost 25 percent. If he sold it for $34, what percent would he have gained or lost?

3. If five-eighths of a pound of tea costs 50 cents, how much will 251 pounds cost?

In addition, there is a 50-word spelling test with words like strychnine, chloroform, celluloid and rheumatism.

After I read this test, I could not help thinking how Regis Philbin gives away millions to people who answer questions far less advanced than these.  I  thought it might be a test to get into graduate school, but I was wrong.

The students who took this test did not receive a million big ones, nor were they accepted to graduate school. 

The only thing these students received for passing this test was the right to enter high school. 

Yes, this test was administered to eighth-grade classes in the year 1914.

I have to admit, I felt foolish when I could not answer most of those questions. 

The frightening thing is I am not alone. I have little sympathy for my fellow students who complain about the demands of college. 

School is not supposed to be a cakewalk, and sadly enough, that is the way I view my entire high school career. 

We have been trained in laziness. 

It is disheartening to see how much the state of education in California has deteriorated. 

Let's all stop our complaining and actually learn.    Not only because we need to in order to get a good job but because we want to.
 
Heidi Lehman is a public relations major at Cal State Long Beach.