# Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 28, 2007, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032 "2007-02-28T15:54:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/41 "2007-02-28T20:22:40Z")
[QUOTE=UncleRojelio] I was taking a big swig of coke when the image of how my 10 yr old monkey was dressed when I dropped him off at school this morning. Thanks, I’m off to the [Stupid “you owe me a new keyboard” comment thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=410323) now. [/QUOTE] Ooh, stop. You had me at “clicky.” ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/42 "2007-02-28T21:07:28Z")
10/10 in about 20 seconds. I swear, some of you people are not holding up your end in this “fighting ignorance” thing… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/43 "2007-02-28T21:07:30Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Who was the first US President to be impeached? (This eliminated the first competitor when he didn’t answer) [/QUOTE] Actually, he said John Quincy Adams. 😕 I didn’t make it past the first contestant – way too few questions per half-hour. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/44 "2007-02-28T21:10:25Z")
Maybe he thought the question was name the first president who was a peach. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/45 "2007-02-28T21:22:06Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] 9 of 10 for me, the heptagon threw me. [/QUOTE] Same here. I said 9. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/46 "2007-02-28T21:23:26Z")
[QUOTE=LilyoftheValley] Actually, he said John Quincy Adams. 😕 I didn’t make it past the first contestant – way too few questions per half-hour. [/QUOTE] No, he said that if he wanted to stay in and risk getting a wrong answer, he _would have_ said John Quincy Adams. Instead, he took his $5000, looked into the camera, and admitted that he wasn’t as smart as a fifth grader. I wonder how much the fifth graders on that show are getting. Maybe he _is_ smarter than they are… ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/47 "2007-02-28T22:15:47Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] No, he said that if he wanted to stay in and risk getting a wrong answer, he _would have_ said John Quincy Adams. Instead, he took his $5000, looked into the camera, and admitted that he wasn’t as smart as a fifth grader. [/QUOTE] Ah, sorry. I was just stunned by the answer. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/48 "2007-02-28T22:23:05Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] **Dio** , you explained it much better than I. My first question on hearing that was “What kind of triangle? Right? Equalateral?” Upon realizing that there was not enough information, I deduced that it didn’t matter – the answer would be the same no matter what. I then had to visualize a right triangle, and another on top of it. It’s easy to figure out area from there. [/QUOTE] Exact same thought process for me as well. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/49 "2007-02-28T22:59:50Z")
The idea for the show I guess is amusing, but misleading. The basis is they ask questions that 5th graders are _currently studying_- in other words, all these things are fresh in their minds. Granted, any adult of even average intelligence should know some of the questions, but some of those are things are of the type that you forget a year later. I’m sure sixth graders answering questions out of a fifth grade text would be equally bad. Kind of like if you are studying about Jamiaca in 5th grade and one day learn their main mineral export is bauxite, and that night someone asks you that same question, sure you’ll know. But ask that arcane fact a year later? Yes truly intelligent people tend to remember many facts like this, but the contestants did not strike me as Mensa candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/50 "2007-02-28T23:15:21Z")
I watched the fiirst contestant and then turned it off. It seemed clear the contestants were not pulled from a brain trust. Watching that guy, who did not know _any_ of the answers, was painful. I’m sure you could do “Are you smarter than a 3 year old?” if you selected only contestants who were dumb as a sack of hammers. I don’t see the entertainment value, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/51 "2007-02-28T23:16:56Z")
It actually reminded me of the Monty Python “twit race” sketch, where at the end they had to successfully shoot themselves in the head but all were too stupid to do it. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/52 "2007-02-28T23:55:31Z")
Watching _1 vs 100_, I’m amazed how stupid the general population is (i.e., the Mob). I imagine this show wouldn’t do much to counter that feeling. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/53 "2007-03-01T00:03:04Z")
[QUOTE=Wile E] Too fast. _sigh_ [/QUOTE] You’ve been waiting your whole Doper life for a question like that… ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/54 "2007-03-01T00:53:36Z")
[QUOTE=Queuing] 1. No idea, we don’t celebrate Columbus Day [/QUOTE] Yes you do, you just get confused and call it “Thanksgiving”. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/55 "2007-03-01T02:55:48Z")
I’m watching bits and pieces of tonights show. **How many sides does a trapezoid have?** Uses cheat. [spoiler]Classmate Jacob says 4. Contestant says “4, a square has four sides, why would a trapezoid have four sides?” Me: Because a square has 4 sides of the SAME length, and right angles in the corners, a trapezoid has only one set of parallel sides. [/spoiler] But I’m with everyone else–give me quick questions, and quicker answers, not dramatic pauses and strategic commercial breaks. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/56 "2007-03-01T03:31:07Z")
okay…seriously? What country shares the longest border with the united states? Have people never looked at a map ever? sheesh. Maybe it’s just because I’m Canadian but come on, that’s pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/57 "2007-03-01T03:56:29Z")
I missed the first show, watched about half of tonight’s after AI. I turned it off and said to the wife that it really should be called “Are You Dumber Than A Brick?” Complete waste of time, and not in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/58 "2007-03-01T04:09:25Z")
When she wins money because her fifth grade partner knew the “longest border” answer even though she did not… at that point, I thought, “If the choice is being on national TV revealing that I am dumber than a box of rocks to win $100K – honestly, I think I’d forego the money.” Seriously – she takes home money despite not knowing how many sides a trapezoid has, not knowing that of the only two countries that border the US, which has the longest border, and not knowing how many decades are in two millenia. That’s pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/59 "2007-03-01T04:18:03Z")
[QUOTE=drm] okay…seriously? What country shares the longest border with the united states? Have people never looked at a map ever? sheesh. Maybe it’s just because I’m Canadian but come on, that’s pretty simple. [/QUOTE] And didn’t you just love her reasoning out the answer? “Well, I know the U.S. is between Mexico and Canada. And my mind is saying Mexico because I’m always hearing about the border and security, so I’m gonna say Mexico.” AUUUGGHH! ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032/60 "2007-03-01T05:52:32Z")
First off - Jeopardy! champ checking in, only got 7 of 10. No idea what or when the autumnal equinox is, I thought a turtle was an amphibian, and I forgot the other one. Trouble is, none of the questions on the show were close to being that hard. UCLA guy was a moron, probably an aspiring actor. He looked too comfortable on camera. The kids mugging constantly is a bit much. Especially Giggles in the front row (Black or biracial girl, very cute but I’m tiring of the cameras showing her laughing). The kids are cute, but they’re straight out of central casting. I would prefer ordinary kids. Yesterday’s questions were pretty easy. As a former elementary teacher, area equals on half the base times the height is tattooed in my mind. Today? Longest border with the U.S. question? :smack: That’s why the world hates Americans. Hell, that’s why I as an American hate Americans. Has she never glanced at a map in her life? You know that 48th parallel thing? Right above it is CANADA. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I don’t quite understand the game format, either. It’s basically a Millionaire derivative, only not as interesting, and needing saps as contestants. I predict that this show will last a few weeks, and once Fox sees the ratings dive, Jeff Foxworthy will be banished from our screens… for a few months. This gets a huge “meh” from me. I might watch it if I just don’t feel like working after Idol and I’m too lazy to change channels. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-smarter-than-a-5th-grader/394032.md?page=4)