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Exam

Name

SHORT ANSWER. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question.

Provide an appropriate
response.
1) A student surveyed a simple random sample of students at her college. Is this sample
1) likely to be representative of all students at her college? Of all adults in the United States?
Explain.
Answer: Yes. Since the sample is a simple random sample drawn from students at her
college it is likely to be representative of this group. No. Since students at her
college are
not representative of all adults in the United States, a sample from this group,
however well selected, is unlikely to be representative of all United States
adults.
Explanation:

2) Define the terms population, sample, parameter and statistic. How does a census compare 2)
to a sample?
Answer: A population is the complete collection of all elements. A sample is a subset of
elements drawn from a population. A parameter is a numerical measurement
describing some characteristic of a population. A statistic is a numerical
measurement describing some characteristic of a sample. A census is the
collection of data from every element in a population; a sample is a subset of a
population.
Explanation:

3) Distinguish between categorical and quantitative data. Give an example for each. 3)
Answer: Qualitative data can be separated into categories that are distinguished by
nonnumeric characteristics. Quantitative data consist of numbers
representing counts or measurements. Examples will vary.
Explanation:

Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results
provided or make subjective judgments about the results.
4) Last year, the average math SAT score for students at one school was 475. The headmaster 4)
introduced new teaching methods hoping to improve scores. This year, the mean math
SAT score for a sample of students was 481. Is there statistically significant evidence
that the new teaching method is effective? If the teaching method had no effect, there
would be roughly a 3 in 10 chance of seeing such an increase. Does the result have
statistical significance? Why or why not? Does the result have practical significance?
Answer: No. The new mean SAT score is not substantially higher. Even if the new
teaching method had no effect, a small increase such as this could easily be
1
seen just by chance. No. The increase is not sufficient to be of practical
significance.
Explanation:

2
Provide an appropriate
response.
5) Define observational study and experiment. Define the terms "treatment group" and
5) "placebo group" as part of your answer.
Answer: In an observational study, we observe and measure specific characteristics, but
we don't attempt to manipulate or modify the subjects being studied. In an
experiment we apply some treatment and then proceed to observe its effects on
the subjects. In the experiment, the group receiving the treatment is called the
treatment group. The placebo group is the group that is not given the treatment.
Explanation:

6) A researcher conducts an experiment to determine whether acupuncture can help people


6) to recover from back injuries. Participants are randomly assigned to a treatment group or
a control group. Over a period of three weeks, those assigned to the treatment group receive
acupuncture treatments. At the end of the three weeks, the improvement reported by those
in the treatment group is compared with the improvement reported by those in the
control group. In this experiment there is no blinding. What does this mean and why
could this
cause a problem?
Answer: An experiment is blind if participants do not know whether they are receiving
the treatment or a placebo. Blinding allows investigators to determine whether
the treatment effect is significantly different from the placebo effect. This
experiment is not blind because participants know whether they are receiving
treatment. This may make it hard to determine to what extent improvements in
the treatment group are due to the acupuncture and to what extent they are due
to the placebo effect.
Explanation:

7) Define random sample. Explain why this is important in design of experiments. 7)


Answer: In random sampling, each member of the population has an equal chance of
being selected. Random sampling provides us with the best representative
sample in which all groups of the population are approximately proportionately
represented. Careless sampling can easily result in a biased sample which may
be useless.
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is flawed.
8) A questionnaire is sent to 10,000 persons. 5,000 responded to the questionnaire. 3,000 of the
8) respondents say that they "love chocolate ice cream". We conclude that 60% of people love
chocolate ice cream. What is wrong with this survey?
Answer: This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-
selected responses and therefore has serious potential for bias.
Explanation:

9) An airline company advertises that 100% of their flights are on time after checking 5 9)
randomly selected flights and finding that these 5 were on time. What is wrong with their
claim?
Answer: The sample was too
small. Explanation:

3
Provide an appropriate
response.
10) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated 10)
fat (in grams) in various regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of
saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins
x 4.7 4.5 4.8 4.3 4.8 3.9
y 1.2 2.1 2.5 1.1 1.8 1.9
Is each x-value matched with a corresponding y-value? That is, is each x-value associated
with the corresponding y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and y-values are not
matched, does it make sense to use the difference between each x-value and the y-
value that is in the same column?
Answer: The x-values are not matched with the y-values, so it does not make sense to
use the differences between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same
column.
Explanation:

11) A teacher at a school obtains a sample of students by selecting a random sample of 11)
20
students from each grade. What kind of sampling is being used here? Will the resulting
sample be a simple random sample of the population of students at the school?
Explain your thinking.
Answer: This is stratified sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple
random sample because different samples of students have different
chances of being selected.
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is 12)
flawed.
12) A researcher published this survey result: "74% of people would be willing to spend
10 percent more for energy from a non-polluting source". The survey question was
announced on a national radio show and 1,200 listeners responded by calling in.
What is wrong with this survey?
Answer: This is a voluntary response sample. The survey is based on voluntary, self-
selected responses and therefore has serious potential for bias.
Explanation:
13)
Provide an appropriate
response.
13) Define the terms "stratified sampling", "systematic sampling", "cluster sampling",
and
"convenience sampling". Give examples for each.
Answer: Stratified sampling subdivides the population into at least two different
subpopulations and then draws a sample from each stratum. Systematic
sampling selects a beginning point and then selects every kth element in the
population. In cluster sampling, the population is divided into sections, then
sections are randomly selected, and then all members of the randomly selected
sections are surveyed. Convenience sampling uses readily available results.
Examples will vary.
Explanation:

4
14) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated 14)
fat (in grams) in various regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of
saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins

x 5.8 4.5 4.2 4.2 4.9 5.8


y 1.2 2.1 1.8 1.2 0.8 1.6
Note that the table lists measured amounts of saturated fat in two different types of muffin.
Given these data, what issue can be addressed by conducting a statistical analysis of
the values?
Answer: Given the context of the data, we could address the issue of whether the two
types of muffin provide the same amounts of saturated fat, or whether there is a
difference between the two types of muffin.
Explanation:

Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the
population.
15) 100,000 randomly selected adults were asked whether they drink at least 48 oz of p
water each day and only 45% said yes. o
Answer: Sample: the 100,000 selected adults; population: all adults; representative s
Explanation: s
i
Provide an appropriate b
response. l
16) A bus company claims that in the past year it has reduced the number of late e
departures of buses by 100%. What is wrong with this statement? (
Answer: A reduction of 100% would mean that the company had reduced the number of i
late departures to zero which is not plausible. f
Explanation: f
e
17) Explain what is meant by the term "confounding" and give an example of an w
experiment in which confounding is likely to be a problem. e
Answer: Confounding occurs in an experiment when the effects of two or more r
variables cannot be distinguished from each other. Examples will vary. One p
example is that of a school district that conducts a study regarding whether the e
science laboratory approach or the computer simulation approach is better for o
learning chemistry among seniors. A standardized achievement test is used to p
measure learning, and the results of the two schools are compared. Unless l
controlled in the study, two confounding variables are teaching expertise and e
student motivation. a
Explanation: r
e
18) An article stated that last year 807 people taking a certain medication suffered from t
serious side effects while this year, after the medication had been modified, only 391 a
suffered serious side effects. What information is missing? Why would it be important k
to include this information? i
Answer: There is no context to the data. The article should include the number of people n
taking the medication last year and this. More important than the number g
suffering serious side effects is the percentage of those taking the medication t
that suffer side effects. Although fewer people suffered side effects this year, it is h
e

4
medication this year) that the percentage suffering side effects has actually 15)
increased.
Explanation:

16)

17)

18)

5
19) List five different abuses of statistics and give examples for each.
19) Answer: Answers will vary but include small samples, precise numbers, guesstimates,
distorted percentages, partial picture, deliberate distortions, loaded questions,
misleading graphs, misleading pictographs, pollster pressure, or bad
samples. Examples will vary.
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is
flawed. 20)
20) You plan to make a survey of 200 people. The plan is to talk to every 10th person
coming out of the school library. Is there a problem with your plan?
Answer: People who don't go to the library are
excluded. Explanation:

Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the
population.
21) An employee at the local ice cream parlor asks three customers if they like chocolate 21)
ice cream.
Answer: Sample: the 3 selected customers; population: all customers; not representative
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate
response. 22)
22) An advertisement for a heating pad says that it can reduce back pain by 200%.
What is wrong with this statement?
Answer: If a person's back pain was reduced by 100%, it would be completely
eliminated, so it is not possible for a person's back pain to be reduced by more
than 100%.
Explanation: 23)

23) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine
randomly selected women between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values are
the weights and the y-values are the monthly incomes.

Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
(dollars)
Are the x-values matched with the corresponding y-values? That is, is each x-value
associated with the corresponding y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and
y-values are matched, does it make sense to use the difference between each x-value and
the y-value that is in the same column? Why or why not?
Answer: The x-values are matched with the y-values. It does not make sense to use
the difference between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same
column. The
x-values are weights (in pounds) and the y-values are monthly incomes (in
dollars), so the differences are meaningless.
Explanation:

24) Define and give examples for nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio levels of measurement. m
Describe the type of statistics which might be reported for each. e
Answer: Nominal: characterized by data that consist of names, labels, or categories. a
There is no order to nominal data. Ordinal: involves data that may be arranged n
in some order, but differences between data values cannot be determined or are i
5
ngless. Interval: like ordinal but having meaningful amounts of differences 24)
between data, although there is no inherent zero starting point. Ratio: like
interval, but there does exist an inherent zero starting point. For nominal or
ordinal data, we should not calculate averages or variances, but report only
percents.
Explanation:

6
25) Define sampling error and nonsampling error. Give examples of nonsampling error.
25) Answer: Sampling error is the difference between a sample result and the true population
result. Such an error results from chance sample fluctuations. A nonsampling error
occurs when the sample data are incorrectly collected, recorded, or analyzed.
Examples include nonrandom samples, defective measuring instruments,
biased survey questions, a large number of refusals, copying sample data
incorrectly.
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion.


26) A study of achievement scores by sixth-grade students on a standardized math test 26)
showed the three top scorers were all gifted piano players. Conclusion: Playing the
piano leads to mathematical achievement.
Answer: A sample of 3 among many students is not sufficient to conclude that playing
the piano is conducive to math achievement. Student motivation and interest
in math should be considered as factors.
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate response.


27) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine 27)
randomly selected women between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values are
the weights and the y-values are the monthly incomes.

Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
If we(dollars)
use statistical methods to conclude that there is a correlation (or relationship or
association) between the weights of women and their monthly incomes, can we
conclude that by increasing her weight a woman can increase her monthly income?
Answer: No. If a correlation (or relationship or association) is found, this doesn't mean
that one variable is the cause of another. Larger weights do not cause higher
incomes, but tend to be associated with higher incomes because both weight
and income are associated with a third variable, age. Older women tend to be
heavier and to have higher incomes than younger women.
Explanation:

28) A group of men aged 50-59 followed a strict exercise regime for one year. The mean 28)
reduction in systolic blood pressure at the end of the year was 2.7 mmHg. Methods of
statistics were used to determine that if the exercise regime had no effect on blood
pressure, the likelihood of seeing this reduction in blood pressure by chance would be
less than 1 in 100. Do the results have statistical significance? Do they have practical
significance? Explain.
Answer: The results have statistical significance. This reduction in blood pressure would
be unlikely to occur by chance. So statistically the exercise regime appears
effective. However the results do not have practical significance. In practice, the
reduction in blood pressure is not large enough to justify following an exercise
regime for a year. People would want to see a larger reduction.
Explanation:

6
Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion.
29) In a study of headache patients, every one of the study subjects with a headache was 29)
found to be improved after taking a week off of work. Conclusion: Taking time off
work cures headaches.
Answer: Headaches generally last for only a few hours, so anything would seem like a
cure.
There is no evidence to suggest that taking time off work will cure a headache.
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate 30)


response.
30) At a school there are two different math classes of the same age. The two classes have
different teachers. The school principal is interested in gauging the effectiveness of two
different teaching methods and asks each teacher to try one of the methods. At the end
of the semester both classes are given the same test and the results are compared. In
this experiment, what is the variable of interest? Give some examples of variables
which could be confounding variables.
Answer: The variable of interest is the teaching method. Possible confounding variables
are "skill of teacher" (is one teacher better than the other?), "aptitude of students"
(do the two classes have students of the same ability?), "amount of study time"
(does one class have students who are more conscientious?). 31)
Explanation:

31) A researcher obtains a sample of high school teachers in his school district by
randomly selecting 10 high schools and interviewing all the teachers at each of these
10 schools.
What kind of sampling is being used here? Will the resulting sample be a simple
random sample of the population of teachers in the school district? Explain your
thinking.
Answer: This is cluster sampling. The sample obtained will not be a simple random
32)
sample of all high school teachers in the district because different samples have
different chances of being selected.
Explanation:

32) A lawyer surveyed a simple random sample of his colleagues and asked them
whether they were left-handed or right-handed. Is this convenience sample likely
to provide results typical of all adults in the United States? Do convenience samples
in general provide good results?
Answer: Yes. There is nothing about left-handedness or right-handedness that would
affect being one of the lawyer's colleagues. In terms of left- or right-
handedness, a simple random sample of the lawyer's colleagues is likely to be
representative of all adults in the United States. Convenience samples in general
do not tend to provide good results as the sample is often not representative of a
broader population.
Explanation:

7
33) A researcher wants to obtain a sample of 100 school teachers from the 800 school 33)
teachers in a school district. Describe procedures for obtaining a sample of each type:
random, systematic, convenience, stratified, cluster.
Answer: Answers will vary. One answer is as follows. (1) Random: List the names of the
teachers in alphabetical order from 1 through 800. Select 100 teachers by a
random number computer program. (2) Systematic: Blindly select from a box
one of eight index cards, each of which has a number from 1 to 8 written on it.
Sample from the alphabetized list, beginning with that number followed by all
its integral multiples until 100 teachers are selected. (3) Convenience: Offer an
incentive to the teachers, and select the first 100 volunteers. (4) Stratified:
Prepare an alphabetized list of teachers by school (i.e., strata) and randomly
select teachers in proportion to school size until 100 teachers are selected. (5)
Cluster: Form 8 clusters from 8 consecutive blocks of 100 teachers in the
alphabetized list. Blindly draw an index card from the box, and whichever card
is drawn, all 100 teachers in that cluster will be the sample. Making clusters from
the individual schools might not work, since the school or schools randomly
selected might not have 100 teachers in total.
Explanation:
34)
Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is
flawed.
34) "7 out of 10 dentists recommend Brand X toothpaste". This finding is based on the
results of a survey of 10 randomly selected dentists. What is wrong with this survey?
Answer: The sample was too
small. Explanation: 35)

Provide an appropriate response.


35) The table shows the weights (in pounds) and monthly incomes (in dollars) of nine
randomly selected women between the ages of 18 and 65. Assume that the x-values
are the weights and the y-values are the monthly incomes.

Weight (lb) 113 132 155 122 166 140 118 129 185
Monthly Income 1420 3650 5475 2310 4710 2910 1720 2460 4115
What(dollars)
issue can be addressed by conducting a statistical analysis of the values?
Answer: Is there a relationship or an association between a woman's weight and her
monthly income?
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to determine whether the sampling method appears to be sound or is
flawed. 36)
36) "38% of adults in the United States regularly visit a doctor". This conclusion was
reached by a college student after she had questioned 520 randomly selected
members of her college. What is wrong with her survey?
Answer: The sample is biased. College students are not representative of the U.S.
population as a whole.
Explanation:

8
Provide an appropriate response.
37) Use the data in the table to answer the question. The x-values are amounts of saturated 37)
fat (in grams) in various regular two-ounce muffins. The y-values are amounts of
saturated fat (in grams) in various "low fat" two-ounce muffins.
Amounts of Saturated Fat in Regular and Low-Fat Muffins

x 4.7 6.1 3.5 5.2 3.8 4.3


y 1.2 2.1 0.8 1.5 1.8 2.4
The measured amounts of saturated fat were supplied by the producers of the muffins. Is
there an incentive for producers to report values that are not accurate?
Answer: For health reasons, consumers often prefer to buy muffins which are low in
saturated fat. There is an incentive for producers to make the amount of
saturated
fat appear as low as possible. For this reason, the source of the data could be
suspect with a potential for bias.
Explanation:

38) Define continuous and discrete data and give an example of each.
38) Answer: Continuous numerical data result from infinitely many possible values that can
be
associated with points on a continuous scale so that there are no gaps or
interruptions. Discrete data result from either a finite number of possible values
or a countable number of possible values. Examples will vary.
Explanation:

39) A market researcher obtains a sample of 50 people by standing outside a store and 39)
asking
every 20th person who enters the store to fill out a survey until she has 50 people. What
sampling method is being used here? Will the resulting sample be a random sample?
Will it be a simple random sample? Explain your thinking.
Answer: This is systematic sampling. The sample obtained will be a random sample
because everyone has the same chance of being chosen but will not be a simple
random sample as different samples of 50 people have difference chances of
being chosen. Note that the sample is random depends on the market researcher
randomly selecting 20 as the starting point prior to research.
Explanation:
40)
40) A coach uses a new technique in training middle distance runners. The times, in
seconds, for 8 different athletes to run 800 meters before and after this training are
shown below.

Athlete A B C D E F G H
Before 115.2 116.5 111.3 111.1 114.2 112.4 115.8 108.6
After 112.9 115.2 108.9 111.9 112.4 109.1 112.2 104.7
Does the conclusion that the technique is effective appear to be supported with statistical
significance? Does the conclusion that the technique is effective appear to have
practical significance?
Answer: Yes. Almost all runners have considerably faster times after the training.
Yes. The differences appear to be substantial.
Explanation:

9
Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results
provided or make subjective judgments about the results.
41) A researcher investigated whether following a vegetarian diet could help to reduce 41)
blood pressure. For a sample of 85 people who followed a vegetarian diet for 4 months,
the mean systolic blood pressure was 124 mmHg and for a sample of 75 people who
followed a nonvegetarian diet for 4 months, the mean systolic blood pressure was 138
mmHg.
Methods of statistics show that if a vegetarian diet had no effect on blood pressure,
there would be less than 1 chance in a 100 of getting these results. Does the result have
statistical
significance? Why or why not? Does the result have practical significance?
Answer: Yes. The group following a vegetarian diet had a substantially lower mean blood
pressure. If a vegetarian diet did not help to reduce blood pressure, there would
be a very small chance of getting these results. Yes; the difference in blood
pressure appears substantial and enough to be an important factor in health.
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate
response.
42) Explain the difference between stratified and cluster sampling. 42)
Answer: In both cluster sampling and stratified sampling, sub-groups (clusters or strata)
are formed. However, in stratified sampling, all strata are used and a sample is
selected from each strata. In cluster sampling, a sample of the clusters is first
selected, then all members of those clusters are selected.
Explanation:

43) Would an observational study or an experiment be more appropriate to investigate the 43)
effects on humans of a substance known to be toxic? Explain.
Answer: An observational study would be more appropriate. An experiment would not
be appropriate because it would be unethical to administer as a treatment a
substance known to be toxic. However a retrospective observational study, for
example, could be carried out by examining records from the past and observing
the effects where the substance had been accidentally ingested.
Explanation:

44) Does systematic sampling result in a random sample? Why or why not? 44)
Answer: No. Systematic sampling does not result in a random sample because not every
member of the population has the same chance of being selected. For example
if every 10th member is selected, the 2nd member has no chance of being
selected.
Explanation:

Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results
provided or make subjective judgments about the results.
45) Charlie's teacher claims that he does not study and just guesses on exams. On an Answer:
exam with 201 true-false questions, Charlie answered 53.7% of the questions N
correctly. Calculations using these results show that if he were really just guessing, o
there would be roughly 1 chance in 7 that he would do this well. Is there statistically ;
significant evidence against the teacher's claim that Charlie is just guessing? Why or T
h
why not?
10
e exam result of 53.7% is not substantially greater than 50%. Even if Charlie 45)
were just guessing, he could easily do this well just by chance.
Explanation:

11
46) A manufacturer of laptop computers claims that only 1% of their computers are 46)
defective.
In a sample of 600 computers, it was found that 3% were defective. If the proportion of
defectives were really only 1%, there would be less than 1 chance in 1000 of getting
such a large proportion of defective laptops in the sample. Is there statistically
significant evidence against the manufacturer's claim? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. If the claimed proportion of defectives of 1% were correct, there would be
a very small likelihood of getting 3% defectives in the sample. The sample rate
of 3% is significantly greater than the claimed rate of 1%.
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate
response.
47) Why do you think that cluster sampling is frequently used in practice. 47)
Answer: Answers will vary. Possible answer: Cluster sampling can save time and money
and be more efficient, especially when the clusters are geographically far apart
from each other. For example, if a researcher wishes to interview a sample of
high school teachers in a school district, it will be easier to interview all the
teachers at a few schools than to interview a few teachers from many different
schools.
Explanation:

48) A hip hop radio show broadcast in the city of Puddelton asked people to call in and 48)
express their opinions on the new mayor. Are the results likely to be representative of all
adults in Puddelton? Of all listeners to the hip hop show? Why or why not?
Answer: No. A hip hop show is likely to attract a younger audience. Listeners to the show
will not be representative of all adults in Puddleton so a sample from those
listeners,
however well selected, will not be representative. No, this sample will not be
representative of all listeners to the show because it is a voluntary response
sample
- listeners themselves choose whether to respond. Those with stronger opinions
are more likely to respond so the sample is unlikely to be representative of all
listeners
to the
show. Explanation:

49) Does stratified sampling result in a simple random sample? Why or why not? 49)
Answer: No. Stratified sampling does not result in a simple random sample because not
all samples have the same chance of being selected. For example, a sample
consisting entirely of members from the first strata would have no chance of
being selected.
Explanation:

11
50) The table shows the weights, in pounds, of seven subjects before and after following 50)
a particular diet for two months. Assume that the x-values are the weights before
the diet and the y-values are the weights after the diet.

Subject A B C D E F G
Before 163 167 165 180 185 155 163
After 156 158 163 185 171 157 151
Are the x-values matched with the corresponding y-values? That is, is each x-value
associated with the corresponding y-value in some meaningful way? If the x- and
y-values are matched, does it make sense to use the difference between each x-value and
the y-value that is in the same column? Why or why not?
Answer: The x-values are matched with the corresponding y-values. It makes sense to
use the difference between each x-value and the y-value that is in the same
column. Both represent weights measured in pounds and both are associated
with the same person. The x-value is the weight of a person before the diet and
the y-value in the same column is the weight of the same person after the diet.
The difference represents the amount of weight lost (or gained) by that person.
Explanation:

Use critical thinking to develop an alternative conclusion.


51) A study shows that adults who work at their desk all day weigh more than those who 51)
do not. Conclusion: Desk jobs cause people to gain weight.
Answer: Desk job workers are confined to their chairs for most of their work day. Other
jobs require standing or walking around which burns calories. It is probably the
lack of exercise that causes higher weights, not the desk job itself. Avoid
causality altogether by saying lack of walking and exercise is associated with
higher weights.
Explanation:

Provide an appropriate 52)


response.
52) Describe a double blind experiment and explain why blinding is used. Define the term
"placebo effect" as part of the answer.
Answer: A double blind experiment is one in which neither the subjects nor the
researchers know who is getting the treatment. Blinding is when the subject
does not know whether he or she is receiving a treatment or a placebo.
Blinding is used to counteract the placebo effect in which an untreated subject
believes he or she is receiving a treatment and reports an improvement in
53)
symptoms due to this belief.
Explanation:

53) A teacher was interested in knowing how much tax people pay in the United States.
She selected a simple random sample of her friends and asked them about their taxes.
Is this sample likely to be representative of all adults in the United States?
Answer: No. In terms of income, the teacher's friends are unlikely to be representative of
all adults in the United States. So a sample from this group, however well
selected, is unlikely to be representative of all adults in the United States.
Explanation:

Identify the sample and population. Also, determine whether the sample is likely to be representative of the
population.
12
54) In a poll of 50,000 randomly selected college students, 74% answered "yes" when asked 54)
"Do you have a television in your dorm room?".
Answer: Sample: the 50,000 selected college students; population: all college students;
representative
Explanation:

13
Form a conclusion about statistical significance. Do not make any formal calculations. Either use the results
provided or make subjective judgments about the results.
55) In a random sample of 160 women, 78% favored stricter gun control laws. In a 55)
random sample of 220 men, 61% favored stricter gun control laws. Is there
statistically significant evidence that a larger proportion of women than men favor
stricter gun control laws?
Answer: Yes. In these samples, the proportion of women favoring stricter gun control is
substantially higher than the proportion of men favoring stricter gun control. If
the true proportions were actually equal, there would be a very small
likelihood of seeing such a large difference in the samples..
Explanation:

56)
Provide an appropriate
response.
56) In a clinical trial for a new headache medication, participants are randomly assigned to
a treatment group or a placebo group. They do not know whether they are receiving
the medication or a placebo. However the doctors administering the medication and
evaluating the results do know which participants are receiving the medication. This
experiment is blind but not double blind. Explain what this means and why the
absence of double blinding could cause a problem.
Answer: This experiment is blind because participants do not know whether they are
receiving the treatment or a placebo. This will allows investigators to determine
whether the treatment effect is significantly different from the placebo effect.
However, the experiment is not double blind because the doctors administering
the medication and evaluating the results know which participants are
receiving the medication. The doctors may not be impartial and their evaluation
and analysis of results could be influenced by their knowledge of which
participants are receiving the treatment. 57)
Explanation:

57) Jon consulted with an accountant to prepare his tax return. He recommended the
accountant to his friend saying that this year the amount he paid in taxes was 150%
less than last year. What is wrong with this statement?
Answer: If Jon's taxes were reduced by 100% he would be paying no taxes at all, so it is
not possible for his taxes to be reduced by more than 100%.
Explanation:

MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster, convenience.
58) A market researcher selects 500 people from each of 10 cities.
58) A) Cluster
B) Stratified
C) Systematic
D) Random
E) Convenience
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
13
D)
E)

14
Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.
59) A sample of 120 employees of a company is selected, and the average age is found to be 37 years.
59) A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster, convenience.
60) To avoid working late, a quality control analyst simply inspects the first 100 items produced 60)
in a day.
A) Convenience
B) Random
C)
Systematic
D) Stratified
E) Cluster
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

Determine which of the four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) is most appropriate.
61) Ages of survey respondents.
61) A) Ratio B) Nominal C) Interval D) Ordinal
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

62) The subjects in which college students major.


62) A) Ratio B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: C
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an


experiment.
63) A marketing firm does a survey to find out how many people use a product. Of the one
hundred people contacted, fifteen said they use the product.
A) Experiment B) Observational
study
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
14
63)

15
64) A sample of fish is taken from a lake to measure the effect of pollution from a nearby factory on 64)
the fish.
A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
65) The number of limbs on a 2-year-old oak tree is 21.
65) A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster, convenience.
66) A researcher interviews 19 work colleagues who work in his building.
66) A) Systematic
B) Cluster
C) Random
D) Stratified
E) Convenience
Answer: E
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment.


67) A political pollster reports that his candidate has a 10% lead in the polls with 10% undecided.
67) A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

Identify the type of observational study (cross-sectional, retrospective, prospective).


68) Researchers collect data by interviewing athletes who have won olympic gold medals from 1992 68)
to
2008.
A) Prospective B) Retrospective
C) Cross-sectional D) None of these
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

15
Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment.
69) A T.V. show's executives raised the fee for commercials following a report that the show 69)
received a
"No. 1" rating in a survey of viewers.
A) Observational study B) Experiment
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
70) The temperature of a cup of coffee is 67.3°F.
70) A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

Solve the problem.


71) Alex and Juana went on a 70-mile canoe trip with their class. On the first day they 71)
traveled 14 miles. What percent of the total distance did they canoe?
A) 500% B) 0.2% C) 5% D)
20% Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine whether the given description corresponds to an observational study or an experiment.


72) A doctor performs several diagnostic tests to determine the reason for a patient's illness.
72) A) Experiment B) Observational study
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.


73) After taking the first exam, 15 of the students dropped the class.
73) A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

16
Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster,
convenience. 74)
74) An education researcher randomly selects 48 middle schools and interviews all the teachers at
each school.
A) Random
B) Cluster
C) Stratified
D) Convenience
E) Systematic
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

Determine which of the four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) is most appropriate.
75) The sample of spheres categorized from softest to hardest.
75) A) Ratio B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Interval
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
76) The weight of Bill's pack as he sets off on a backpacking trip is 48.3 lb.
76) A) Continuous B) Discrete
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

77) The height of 2-year-old maple tree is 28.3 ft.


77) A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

17
Provide an appropriate response.
78) A researcher obtains an alphabetical list of the 2560 students at a college. She uses a 78)
random number generator to obtain 50 numbers between 1 and 2560. She chooses the 50
students corresponding to those numbers. Does this sampling plan result in a random
sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) Yes; no. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being
selected. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as
a sample containing the first 50 students on the list.
B) No; no. The sample is not random because not all students have the same chance of
being selected. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible,
such as a sample containing the the first 50 students on the list.
C) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all students have the same chance of being
selected. It is a simple random sample because all samples of 50 students have the same
chance of being selected.
D) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all students have the same chance of
being selected. It is a simple random sample because all samples of 50 students have
the same chance of being selected.
Answer: C
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)
79)
Solve the problem.
79) On a test, if 40 questions are answered and 38 of them are correct, what is the percent of
correct answers? Round to the nearest percent.
A) 105% B) 5% C) 0.95% D)
95% Answer: D
Explanation: A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine which of the four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) is most appropriate.
80) The temperatures of eight different plastic spheres.
80) A) Nominal B) Interval C) Ratio D) Ordinal
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.


81) After inspecting all of 55,000 kg of meat stored at the Wurst Sausage Company, it was found that
45,000 kg of the meat was spoiled.
A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)

18
81)

19
Identify the type of observational study (cross-sectional, retrospective, prospective).
82) A researcher plans to obtain data by following those in cancer remission since January of 2005.
82)
A) Retrospective B) Prospective C) Cross-sectional D) None of
these
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

83) A statistical analyst obtains data about ankle injuries by examining a hospital's records from the
past 3 years.
A) Cross-sectional B) Retrospective C) Prospective D) None of
these
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Provide an appropriate
response.
84) An electronics store receives a shipment of eight boxes of calculators. Each box contains ten
calculators. A quality control inspector chooses a box by putting eight identical slips of paper
numbered 1 to 8 into a hat, mixing thoroughly and then picking a slip at random. He then
chooses
a calculator at random from the box selected using a similar method with ten slips of paper in a
hat. He repeats the process until he obtains a sample of 5 calculators for quality control testing.
Does
this sampling plan result in a random sample? Simple random sample? Explain.
A) No; yes. The sample is not random because not all calculators have the same chance of
being selected. It is a simple random sample because all samples of 5 calculators have the
same chance of being selected.
B) Yes; no. The sample is random because all calculators have the same chance of being
selected.
It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible, such as a
sample
containing 5 calculators from the same box.
C) Yes; yes. The sample is random because all calculators have the same chance of being
selected. It is a simple random sample because all samples of 5 calculators have the
same chance of being selected.
D) No; no. The sample is not random because not all calculators have the same chance of
being selected. It is not a simple random sample because some samples are not possible,
such as a sample containing 5 calculators from the same box.
Answer: C
Explanation:
A)

19
83)

84)

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
85) The number of freshmen entering college in a certain year is 621.
85) A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

19
Determine which of the four levels of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) is most appropriate.
86) Temperatures of the ocean at various depths.
86) A) Interval B) Ordinal C) Nominal D) Ratio
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Determine whether the given value is from a discrete or continuous data set.
87) The number of stories in a Manhattan building is 22.
87) A) Discrete B) Continuous
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)

Determine whether the given value is a statistic or a parameter.


88) A health and fitness club surveys 40 randomly selected members and found that the 88)
average weight of those questioned is 157 lb.
A) Parameter B) Statistic
Answer: B
Explanation:
A)
B)

Identify the type of observational study (cross-sectional, retrospective, prospective).


89) A town obtains current employment data by polling 10,000 of its citizens this month.
89)
A) Cross-sectional B) Prospective C) Retrospective D) None of
these
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)

Identify which of these types of sampling is used: random, stratified, systematic, cluster, convenience.
90) The name of each contestant is written on a separate card, the cards are placed in a bag, and 90)
three names are picked from the bag.
A) Random
B) Stratified
C) Cluster
D) Systematic
E) Convenience
Answer: A
Explanation:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E) 20
21
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
thus train him to self-help, until he ceases to be an underling, a tool,
and becomes a benefactor. I think wise men wish their religion to be
all of this kind, teaching the agent to go alone, not to hang on the
world as a pensioner, a permitted person, but an adult, self-
searching soul, brave to assist or resist a world: only humble and
docile before the source of the wisdom he has discovered within him.
As it is, every believer holds a different creed; that is, all the
churches are churches of one member. All our sects have refined the
point of difference between them. The point of difference that still
remains between churches, or between classes, is in the addition to
the moral code, that is, to natural religion, of somewhat positive and
historical. I think that to be, as Mr. Abbot has stated it in his form, the
one difference remaining. I object, of course, to the claim of
miraculous dispensation,—certainly not to the doctrine of
Christianity.[219] This claim impairs, to my mind, the soundness of
him who makes it, and indisposes us to his communion. This comes
the wrong way; it comes from without, not within. This positive,
historical, authoritative scheme is not consistent with our experience
or our expectations. It is something not in Nature: it is contrary to that
law of Nature which all wise men recognize; namely, never to require
a larger cause than is necessary to the effect. George Fox, the
Quaker, said that, though he read of Christ and God, he knew them
only from the like spirit in his own soul. We want all the aids to our
moral training. We cannot spare the vision nor the virtue of the
saints; but let it be by pure sympathy, not with any personal or official
claim. If you are childish, and exhibit your saint as a worker of
wonders, a thaumaturgist, I am repelled. That claim takes his
teachings out of logic and out of nature, and permits official and
arbitrary senses to be grafted on the teachings. It is the praise of our
New Testament that its teachings go to the honor and benefit of
humanity,—that no better lesson has been taught or incarnated. Let
it stand, beautiful and wholesome, with whatever is most like it in the
teaching and practice of men; but do not attempt to elevate it out of
humanity, by saying, ‘This was not a man,’ for then you confound it
with the fables of every popular religion, and my distrust of the story
makes me distrust the doctrine as soon as it differs from my own
belief.
Whoever thinks a story gains by the prodigious, by adding
something out of nature, robs it more than he adds. It is no longer an
example, a model; no longer a heart-stirring hero, but an exhibition,
a wonder, an anomaly, removed out of the range of influence with
thoughtful men. I submit that in sound frame of mind, we read or
remember the religious sayings and oracles of other men, whether
Jew or Indian, or Greek or Persian, only for friendship, only for joy in
the social identity which they open to us, and that these words would
have no weight with us if we had not the same conviction already. I
find something stingy in the unwilling and disparaging admission of
these foreign opinions—opinions from all parts of the world—by our
churchmen, as if only to enhance by their dimness the superior light
of Christianity. Meantime, observe, you cannot bring me too good a
word, too dazzling a hope, too penetrating an insight from the Jews. I
hail every one with delight, as showing the riches of my brother, my
fellow soul, who could thus think and thus greatly feel. Zealots
eagerly fasten their eyes on the differences between their creed and
yours, but the charm of the study is in finding the agreements, the
identities, in all the religions of men.[220]
I am glad to hear each sect complain that they do not now hold the
opinions they are charged with. The earth moves, and the mind
opens. I am glad to believe society contains a class of humble souls
who enjoy the luxury of a religion that does not degrade; who think it
the highest worship to expect of Heaven the most and the best; who
do not wonder that there was a Christ, but that there were not a
thousand; who have conceived an infinite hope for mankind; who
believe that the history of Jesus is the history of every man, written
large.[221]
XXIX
ADDRESS

AT THE OPENING OF THE CONCORD FREE


PUBLIC LIBRARY

The bishop of Cavaillon, Petrarch’s friend, in a playful


experiment locked up the poet’s library, intending to exclude
him from it for three days, but the poet’s misery caused him to
restore the key on the first evening. “And I verily believe I
should have become insane,” says Petrarch, “if my mind had
longer been deprived of its necessary nourishment.”

ADDRESS
AT THE OPENING OF THE CONCORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The people of Massachusetts prize the simple political


arrangement of towns, each independent in its local government,
electing its own officers, assessing its taxes, caring for its schools, its
charities, its highways. That town is attractive to its native citizens
and to immigrants which has a healthy site, good land, good roads,
good sidewalks, a good hotel; still more, if it have an adequate town
hall, good churches, good preachers, good schools, and if it avail
itself of the Act of the Legislature authorizing towns to tax
themselves for the establishment of a public library. Happier, if it
contain citizens who cannot wait for the slow growth of the
population to make these advantages adequate to the desires of the
people, but make costly gifts to education, civility and culture, as in
the act we are met to witness and acknowledge to-day.
I think we cannot easily overestimate the benefit conferred. In the
details of this munificence, we may all anticipate a sudden and
lasting prosperity to this ancient town, in the benefit of a noble
library, which adds by the beauty of the building, and its skilful
arrangement, a quite new attraction,—making readers of those who
are not readers,—making scholars of those who only read
newspapers or novels until now; and whilst it secures a new and
needed culture to our citizens, offering a strong attraction to
strangers who are seeking a country home to sit down here. And I
am not sure that when Boston learns the good deed of Mr. Munroe, it
will not be a little envious, nor rest until it has annexed Concord to
the city. Our founder has found the many admirable examples which
have lately honored the country, of benefactors who have not waited
to bequeath colleges and hospitals, but have themselves built them,
reminding us of Sir Isaac Newton’s saying, “that they who give
nothing before their death, never in fact give at all.”
I think it is not easy to exaggerate the utility of the beneficence
which takes this form. If you consider what has befallen you when
reading a poem, or a history, or a tragedy, or a novel, even, that
deeply interested you,—how you forgot the time of day, the persons
sitting in the room, and the engagements for the evening, you will
easily admit the wonderful property of books to make all towns
equal: that Concord Library makes Concord as good as Rome, Paris
or London, for the hour;—has the best of each of those cities in itself.
Robinson Crusoe, could he have had a shelf of our books, could
almost have done without his man Friday, or even the arriving ship.
Every faculty casts itself into an art, and memory into the art of
writing, that is, the book. The sedge Papyrus, which gave its name to
our word paper, is of more importance to history than cotton, or
silver, or gold. Its first use for writing is between three and four
thousand years old, and though it hardly grows now in Egypt, where
I lately looked for it in vain, I always remember with satisfaction that I
saw that venerable plant in 1833, growing wild at Syracuse, in Sicily,
near the fountain of Arethusa.
The chairman of Mr. Munroe’s trustees has told you how old is the
foundation of our village library, and we think we can trace in our
modest records a correspondent effect of culture amidst our citizens.
A deep religious sentiment is, in all times, an inspirer of the intellect,
and that was not wanting here. The town was settled by a pious
company of non-conformists from England, and the printed books of
their pastor and leader, Rev. Peter Bulkeley, sometime fellow of Saint
John’s College in Cambridge, England, testify the ardent sentiment
which they shared. “There is no people,” said he to his little flock of
exiles, “but will strive to excel in something. What can we excel in if
not in holiness? If we look to number, we are the fewest; if to
strength, we are the weakest; if to wealth and riches, we are the
poorest of all the people of God through the whole world. We cannot
excel, nor so much as equal other people in these things, and if we
come short in grace and holiness too, we are the most despicable
people under heaven. Strive we therefore herein to excel, and suffer
not this crown to be taken away from us.”[222]
The religious bias of our founders had its usual effect to secure an
education to read their Bible and hymn-book, and thence the step
was easy for active minds to an acquaintance with history and with
poetry. Peter Bulkeley sent his son John to the first class that
graduated at Harvard College in 1642, and two sons to later classes.
Major Simon Willard’s son Samuel graduated at Harvard in 1659,
and was for six years, from 1701 to 1707, vice-president of the
college; and his son Joseph was president of the college from 1781
to 1804; and Concord counted fourteen graduates of Harvard in its
first century, and its representation there increased with its gross
population.[223]
I possess the manuscript journal of a lady, native of this town (and
descended from three of its clergymen), who removed into Maine,
where she possessed a farm and a modest income. She was much
addicted to journeying and not less to reading, and whenever she
arrived in a town where was a good minister who had a library, she
would persuade him to receive her as a boarder, and would stay until
she had looked over all his volumes which were to her taste. On a
very cold day, she writes in her diary, “Life truly resembles a river—
ever the same—never the same; and perhaps a greater variety of
internal emotions would be felt by remaining with books in one place
than pursuing the waves which are ever the same. Is the melancholy
bird of night, covered with the dark foliage of the willow and cypress,
less gratified than the gay lark amid the flowers and suns? I think
that you never enjoy so much as in solitude with a book that meets
the feelings,” and in reference to her favorite authors, she adds, “The
delight in others’ superiority is my best gift from God.”[224]
Lemuel Shattuck, by his history of the town, has made all of us
grateful to his memory as a careful student and chronicler; but
events so important have occurred in the forty years since that book
was published, that it now needs a second volume.
Henry Thoreau we all remember as a man of genius, and of
marked character, known to our farmers as the most skilful of
surveyors, and indeed better acquainted with their forests and
meadows and trees than themselves, but more widely known as the
writer of some of the best books which have been written in this
country, and which, I am persuaded, have not yet gathered half their
fame. He, too, was an excellent reader. No man would have rejoiced
more than he in the event of this day. In a private letter to a lady, he
writes, “Do you read any noble verses? For my part, they have been
the only things I remembered,—or that which occasioned them,—
when all things else were blurred and defaced.[225] All things have
put on mourning but they: for the elegy itself is some victorious
melody in you, escaping from the wreck. It is a relief to read some
true books wherein all are equally dead, equally alive. I think the best
parts of Shakspeare would only be enhanced by the most thrilling
and affecting events. I have found it so: and all the more, that they
are not intended for consolation.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s residence in the Manse gave new interest
to that house whose windows overlooked the retreat of the British
soldiers in 1775, and his careful studies of Concord life and history
are known wherever the English language is spoken.[226]
I know the word literature has in many ears a hollow sound. It is
thought to be the harmless entertainment of a few fanciful persons,
and not at all to be the interest of the multitude. To these objections,
which proceed on the cheap notion that nothing but what grinds
corn, roasts mutton and weaves cotton, is anything worth, I have
little to say. There are utilitarians who prefer that Jesus should have
wrought as a carpenter, and Saint Paul as a tent-maker. But
literature is the record of the best thoughts. Every attainment and
discipline which increases a man’s acquaintance with the invisible
world lifts his being. Everything that gives him a new perception of
beauty multiplies his pure enjoyments. A river of thought is always
running out of the invisible world into the mind of man. Shall not they
who received the largest streams spread abroad the healing waters?
It was the symbolical custom of the ancient Mexican priests, after
the annual extinction of the household fires of their land, to procure
in the temple fire from the sun, and thence distribute it as a sacred
gift to every hearth in the nation. It is a just type of the service
rendered to mankind by wise men. Homer and Plato and Pindar and
Shakspeare serve many more than have heard their names.
Thought is the most volatile of all things. It cannot be contained in
any cup, though you shut the lid never so tight. Once brought into
the world, it runs over the vessel which received it into all minds that
love it. The very language we speak thinks for us by the subtle
distinctions which already are marked for us by its words, and every
one of these is the contribution of the wit of one and another
sagacious man in all the centuries of time.
Consider that it is our own state of mind at any time that makes
our estimate of life and the world. If you sprain your foot, you will
presently come to think that Nature has sprained hers. Everything
begins to look so slow and inaccessible. And when you sprain your
mind, by gloomy reflection on your failures and vexations, you come
to have a bad opinion of life. Think how indigent Nature must appear
to the blind, the deaf, and the idiot. Now if you can kindle the
imagination by a new thought, by heroic histories, by uplifting poetry,
instantly you expand,—are cheered, inspired, and become wise, and
even prophetic. Music works this miracle for those who have a good
ear; what omniscience has music! so absolutely impersonal, and yet
every sufferer feels his secret sorrow reached. Yet to a scholar the
book is as good or better. There is no hour of vexation which on a
little reflection will not find diversion and relief in the library. His
companions are few: at the moment, he has none: but, year by year,
these silent friends supply their place. Many times the reading of a
book has made the fortune of the man,—has decided his way of life.
It makes friends. ’Tis a tie between men to have been delighted with
the same book. Every one of us is always in search of his friend, and
when unexpectedly he finds a stranger enjoying the rare poet or
thinker who is dear to his own solitude,—it is like finding a brother.
Dr. Johnson hearing that Adam Smith, whom he had once met,
relished rhyme, said, “If I had known that, I should have hugged
him.”
We expect a great man to be a good reader, or in proportion to the
spontaneous power should be the assimilating power. There is a
wonderful agreement among eminent men of all varieties of
character and condition in their estimate of books. Julius Cæsar,
when shipwrecked, and forced to swim for life, did not gather his
gold, but took his Commentaries between his teeth and swam for the
shore. Even the wild and warlike Arab Mahomet said, “Men are
either learned or learning: the rest are blockheads.” The great Duke
of Marlborough could not encamp without his Shakspeare. The
Duchess d’Abrantes, wife of Marshal Junot, tells us that Bonaparte,
in hastening out of France to join his army in Germany, tossed his
journals and books out of his travelling carriage as fast as he had
read them, and strewed the highway with pamphlets. Napoleon’s
reading could not be large, but his criticism is sometimes admirable,
as reported by Las Casas; and Napoleon was an excellent writer.
Montesquieu, one of the greatest minds that France has produced,
writes: “The love of study is in us almost the only eternal passion. All
the others quit us in proportion as this miserable machine which
gives them to us approaches its ruin. Study has been for me the
sovereign remedy against the disgusts of life, never having had a
chagrin which an hour of reading has not put to flight.” Hear the
testimony of Seldon, the oracle of the English House of Commons in
Cromwell’s time. “Patience is the chiefest fruit of study. A man, that
strives to make himself a different thing from other men by much
reading gains this chiefest good, that in all fortunes he hath
something to entertain and comfort himself withal.”
I have found several humble men and women who gave as
affectionate, if not as judicious testimony to their readings. One
curious witness was that of a Shaker who, when showing me the
houses of the Brotherhood, and a very modest bookshelf, said there
was Milton’s Paradise Lost, and some other books in the house, and
added “that he knew where they were, but he took up a sound cross
in not reading them.”
In 1618 (8th March) John Kepler came upon the discovery of the
law connecting the mean distances of the planets with the periods of
their revolution about the sun, that the squares of the times vary as
the cubes of the distances. And he writes, “It is now eighteen months
since I got the first glimpse of light,—three months since the dawn,—
very few days since the unveiled sun, most admirable to gaze on,
burst out upon me. Nothing holds me. I will indulge in my sacred fury.
I will triumph over mankind by the honest confession that I have
stolen the golden vases of the Egyptians[227] to build up a tabernacle
for my God far away from the confines of Egypt. If you forgive me, I
rejoice; if you are angry, I can bear it: the die is cast; the book is
written; to be read either now or by posterity. I care not which. It may
well wait a century for a reader, since God has waited six thousand
years for an observer like myself.”
In books I have the history or the energy of the past. Angels they
are to us of entertainment, sympathy and provocation. With them
many of us spend the most of our life,—these silent guides,—these
tractable prophets, historians, and singers, whose embalmed life is
the highest feat of art; who now cast their moonlight illumination over
solitude, weariness and fallen fortunes. You say, ’tis a languid
pleasure. Yes, but its tractableness, coming and going like a dog at
our bidding, compensates the quietness, and contrasts with the
slowness of fortune and the inaccessibleness of persons.
You meet with a man of science, a good thinker or good wit,—but
you do not know how to draw out of him that which he knows. But
the book is a sure friend, always ready at your first leisure,—opens
to the very page you desire, and shuts at your first fatigue,—as
possibly your professor might not.
It is a tie between men to have read the same book, and it is a
disadvantage not to have read the book your mates have read, or
not to have read it at the same time, so that it may take the place in
your culture it does in theirs, and you shall understand their allusions
to it, and not give it more or less emphasis than they do. Yet the
strong character does not need this sameness of culture. The
imagination knows its own food in every pasture, and if it has not had
the Arabian Nights, Prince Le Boo, or Homer or Scott, has drawn
equal delight and terror from haunts and passages which you will
hear of with envy.
In saying these things for books, I do not for a moment forget that
they are secondary, mere means, and only used in the off-hours,
only in the pause, and, as it were, the sleep, or passive state of the
mind. The intellect reserves all its rights. Instantly, when the mind
itself wakes, all books, all past acts are forgotten, huddled aside as
impertinent in the august presence of the creator. Their costliest
benefit is that they set us free from themselves; for they wake the
imagination and the sentiment,—and in their inspirations we
dispense with books. Let me add then,—read proudly; put the duty of
being read invariably on the author. If he is not read, whose fault is
it? I am quite ready to be charmed,—but I shall not make believe I
am charmed.
But there is no end to the praise of books, to the value of the
library. Who shall estimate their influence on our population where all
the millions read and write? It is the joy of nations that man can
communicate all his thoughts, discoveries and virtues to records that
may last for centuries.
But I am pleading a cause which in the event of this day has
already won: and I am happy in the assurance that the whole
assembly to whom I speak entirely sympathize in the feeling of this
town in regard to the new Library, and its honored Founder.
XXX
THE FORTUNE OF THE REPUBLIC

“There is a mystery in the soul of state


Which hath an operation more divine
Than breath or pen can give expression to.”

THE FORTUNE OF THE REPUBLIC


It is a rule that holds in economy as well as in hydraulics that you
must have a source higher than your tap. The mills, the shops, the
theatre and the caucus, the college and the church, have all found
out this secret. The sailors sail by chronometers that do not lose two
or three seconds in a year, ever since Newton explained to
Parliament that the way to improve navigation was to get good
watches, and to offer public premiums for a better time-keeper than
any then in use. The manufacturers rely on turbines of hydraulic
perfection; the carpet-mill, on mordants and dyes which exhaust the
skill of the chemist; the calico print, on designers of genius who draw
the wages of artists, not of artisans. Wedgwood, the eminent potter,
bravely took the sculptor Flaxman to counsel, who said, “Send to
Italy, search the museums for the forms of old Etruscan vases, urns,
water-pots, domestic and sacrificial vessels of all kinds.” They built
great works and called their manufacturing village Etruria. Flaxman,
with his Greek taste, selected and combined the loveliest forms,
which were executed in English clay; sent boxes of these as gifts to
every court of Europe, and formed the taste of the world. It was a
renaissance of the breakfast-table and china-closet. The brave
manufacturers made their fortune. The jewellers imitated the revived
models in silver and gold.
The theatre avails itself of the best talent of poet, of painter, and of
amateur of taste, to make the ensemble of dramatic effect. The
marine insurance office has its mathematical counsellor to settle
averages; the life-assurance, its table of annuities. The wine-
merchant has his analyst and taster, the more exquisite the better.
He has also, I fear, his debts to the chemist as well as to the
vineyard.
Our modern wealth stands on a few staples, and the interest
nations took in our war was exasperated by the importance of the
cotton trade. And what is cotton? One plant out of some two hundred
thousand known to the botanist, vastly the larger part of which are
reckoned weeds. What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not
yet been discovered,—every one of the two hundred thousand
probably yet to be of utility in the arts. As Bacchus of the vine, Ceres
of the wheat, as Arkwright and Whitney were the demi-gods of
cotton, so prolific Time will yet bring an inventor to every plant. There
is not a property in Nature but a mind is born to seek and find it. For
it is not the plants or the animals, innumerable as they are, nor the
whole magazine of material nature that can give the sum of power,
but the infinite applicability of these things in the hands of thinking
man, every new application being equivalent to a new material.[228]
Our sleepy civilization, ever since Roger Bacon and Monk
Schwartz invented gunpowder, has built its whole art of war, all
fortification by land and sea, all drill and military education, on that
one compound,—all is an extension of a gun-barrel,—and is very
scornful about bows and arrows, and reckons Greeks and Romans
and Middle Ages little better than Indians and bow-and-arrow times.
As if the earth, water, gases, lightning and caloric had not a million
energies, the discovery of any one of which could change the art of
war again, and put an end to war by the exterminating forces man
can apply.
Now, if this is true in all the useful and in the fine arts, that the
direction must be drawn from a superior source or there will be no
good work, does it hold less in our social and civil life?
In our popular politics you may note that each aspirant who rises
above the crowd, however at first making his obedient
apprenticeship in party tactics, if he have sagacity, soon learns that it
is by no means by obeying the vulgar weathercock of his party, the
resentments, the fears and whims of it, that real power is gained, but
that he must often face and resist the party, and abide by his
resistance, and put them in fear; that the only title to their permanent
respect, and to a larger following, is to see for himself what is the
real public interest, and to stand for that;—that is a principle, and all
the cheering and hissing of the crowd must by and by accommodate
itself to it. Our times easily afford you very good examples.
The law of water and all fluids is true of wit. Prince Metternich said,
“Revolutions begin in the best heads and run steadily down to the
populace.” It is a very old observation; not truer because Metternich
said it, and not less true.
There have been revolutions which were not in the interest of
feudalism and barbarism, but in that of society. And these are
distinguished not by the numbers of the combatants nor the numbers
of the slain, but by the motive. No interest now attaches to the wars
of York and Lancaster, to the wars of German, French and Spanish
emperors, which were only dynastic wars, but to those in which a
principle was involved. These are read with passionate interest and
never lose their pathos by time. When the cannon is aimed by ideas,
when men with religious convictions are behind it, when men die for
what they live for, and the mainspring that works daily urges them to
hazard all, then the cannon articulates its explosions with the voice
of a man, then the rifle seconds the cannon and the fowling-piece
the rifle, and the women make the cartridges, and all shoot at one
mark; then gods join in the combat; then poets are born, and the
better code of laws at last records the victory.
Now the culmination of these triumphs of humanity—and which did
virtually include the extinction of slavery—is the planting of America.
At every moment some one country more than any other
represents the sentiment and the future of mankind. None will doubt
that America occupies this place in the opinion of nations, as is
proved by the fact of the vast immigration into this country from all
the nations of Western and Central Europe. And when the
adventurers have planted themselves and looked about, they send
back all the money they can spare to bring their friends.
Meantime they find this country just passing through a great crisis
in its history, as necessary as lactation or dentition or puberty to the
human individual. We are in these days settling for ourselves and
our descendants questions which, as they shall be determined in
one way or the other, will make the peace and prosperity or the
calamity of the next ages. The questions of Education, of Society, of
Labor, the direction of talent, of character, the nature and habits of
the American, may well occupy us, and more the question of
Religion.
The new conditions of mankind in America are really favorable to
progress, the removal of absurd restrictions and antique inequalities.
The mind is always better the more it is used, and here it is kept in
practice. The humblest is daily challenged to give his opinion on
practical questions, and while civil and social freedom exists,
nonsense even has a favorable effect. Cant is good to provoke
common sense.... The trance-mediums, the rebel paradoxes,
exasperate the common sense. The wilder the paradox, the more
sure is Punch to put it in the pillory.
The lodging the power in the people, as in republican forms, has
the effect of holding things closer to common sense; for a court or an
aristocracy, which must always be a small minority, can more easily
run into follies than a republic, which has too many observers—each
with a vote in his hand—to allow its head to be turned by any kind of
nonsense: since hunger, thirst, cold, the cries of children and debt
are always holding the masses hard to the essential duties.
One hundred years ago the American people attempted to carry
out the bill of political rights to an almost ideal perfection. They have
made great strides in that direction since. They are now proceeding,
instructed by their success and by their many failures, to carry out,
not the bill of rights, but the bill of human duties.
And look what revolution that attempt involves. Hitherto
government has been that of the single person or of the aristocracy.
In this country the attempt to resist these elements, it is asserted,
must throw us into the government not quite of mobs, but in practice
of an inferior class of professional politicians, who by means of
newspapers and caucuses really thrust their unworthy minority into
the place of the old aristocracy on the one side, and of the good,
industrious, well-taught but unambitious population on the other, win
the posts of power and give their direction to affairs. Hence liberal
congresses and legislatures ordain, to the surprise of the people,
equivocal, interested and vicious measures. The men themselves
are suspected and charged with lobbying and being lobbied. No
measure is attempted for itself, but the opinion of the people is
courted in the first place, and the measures are perfunctorily carried
through as secondary. We do not choose our own candidate, no, nor
any other man’s first choice,—but only the available candidate,
whom, perhaps, no man loves. We do not speak what we think, but
grope after the practicable and available. Instead of character, there
is a studious exclusion of character. The people are feared and
flattered. They are not reprimanded. The country is governed in bar-
rooms, and in the mind of bar-rooms. The low can best win the low,
and each aspirant for power vies with his rival which can stoop
lowest, and depart widest from himself.
The partisan on moral, even on religious questions, will choose a
proven rogue who can answer the tests, over an honest,
affectionate, noble gentleman; the partisan ceasing to be a man that
he may be a sectarian.
The spirit of our political economy is low and degrading. The
precious metals are not so precious as they are esteemed. Man
exists for his own sake, and not to add a laborer to the state. The
spirit of our political action, for the most part, considers nothing less
than the sacredness of man. Party sacrifices man to the measure.
[229]

We have seen the great party of property and education in the


country drivelling and huckstering away, for views of party fear or
advantage, every principle of humanity and the dearest hopes of
mankind; the trustees of power only energetic when mischief could
be done, imbecile as corpses when evil was to be prevented.
Our great men succumb so far to the forms of the day as to peril
their integrity for the sake of adding to the weight of their personal
character the authority of office, or making a real government titular.
Our politics are full of adventurers, who having by education and
social innocence a good repute in the state, break away from the law
of honesty and think they can afford to join the devil’s party. ’Tis
odious, these offenders in high life. You rally to the support of old
charities and the cause of literature, and there, to be sure, are these
brazen faces. In this innocence you are puzzled how to meet them;
must shake hands with them, under protest.[230] We feel toward
them as the minister about the Cape Cod farm,—in the old time
when the minister was still invited, in the spring, to make a prayer for
the blessing of a piece of land,—the good pastor being brought to
the spot, stopped short: “No, this land does not want a prayer, this
land wants manure.”

“’Tis virtue which they want, and wanting it,


Honor no garment to their backs can fit.”[231]

Parties keep the old names, but exhibit a surprising fugacity in


creeping out of one snake-skin into another of equal ignominy and
lubricity, and the grasshopper on the turret of Faneuil Hall gives a
proper hint of the men below.
Everything yields. The very glaciers are viscous, or relegate into
conformity, and the stiffest patriots falter and compromise; so that will
cannot be depended on to save us.
How rare are acts of will! We are all living according to custom; we
do as other people do, and shrink from an act of our own. Every
such act makes a man famous, and we can all count the few cases
—half a dozen in our time—when a public man ventured to act as he
thought without waiting for orders or for public opinion. John Quincy
Adams was a man of an audacious independence that always kept
the public curiosity alive in regard to what he might do. None could
predict his word, and a whole congress could not gainsay it when it
was spoken. General Jackson was a man of will, and his phrase on
one memorable occasion, “I will take the responsibility,” is a proverb
ever since.[232]
The American marches with a careless swagger to the height of
power, very heedless of his own liberty or of other people’s, in his
reckless confidence that he can have all he wants, risking all the
prized charters of the human race, bought with battles and
revolutions and religion, gambling them all away for a paltry selfish
gain.
He sits secure in the possession of his vast domain, rich beyond
all experience in resources, sees its inevitable force unlocking itself
in elemental order day by day, year by year; looks from his coal-
fields, his wheat-bearing prairie, his gold-mines, to his two oceans on
either side, and feels the security that there can be no famine in a
country reaching through so many latitudes, no want that cannot be
supplied, no danger from any excess of importation of art or learning
into a country of such native strength, such immense digestive
power.
In proportion to the personal ability of each man, he feels the
invitation and career which the country opens to him. He is easily fed
with wheat and game, with Ohio wine, but his brain is also pampered
by finer draughts, by political power and by the power in the railroad
board, in the mills, or the banks. This elevates his spirits, and gives,
of course, an easy self-reliance that makes him self-willed and
unscrupulous.
I think this levity is a reaction on the people from the extraordinary
advantages and invitations of their condition. When we are most
disturbed by their rash and immoral voting, it is not malignity, but
recklessness. They are careless of politics, because they do not
entertain the possibility of being seriously caught in meshes of
legislation. They feel strong and irresistible. They believe that what
they have enacted they can repeal if they do not like it. But one may
run a risk once too often. They stay away from the polls, saying that
one vote can do no good! Or they take another step, and say ‘One
vote can do no harm!’ and vote for something which they do not
approve, because their party or set votes for it. Of course this puts
them in the power of any party having a steady interest to promote
which does not conflict manifestly with the pecuniary interest of the
voters. But if they should come to be interested in themselves and in
their career, they would no more stay away from the election than
from their own counting-room or the house of their friend.
The people are right-minded enough on ethical questions, but they
must pay their debts, and must have the means of living well, and
not pinching. So it is useless to rely on them to go to a meeting, or to
give a vote, if any check from this must-have-the-money side arises.
If a customer looks grave at their newspaper, or damns their member
of Congress, they take another newspaper, and vote for another
man. They must have money, for a certain style of living fast
becomes necessary; they must take wine at the hotel, first, for the
look of it, and second, for the purpose of sending the bottle to two or
three gentlemen at the table; and presently because they have got
the taste, and do not feel that they have dined without it.
The record of the election now and then alarms people by the all
but unanimous choice of a rogue and a brawler. But how was it
done? What lawless mob burst into the polls and threw in these
hundreds of ballots in defiance of the magistrates? This was done by
the very men you know,—the mildest, most sensible, best-natured
people. The only account of this is, that they have been scared or
warped into some association in their mind of the candidate with the
interest of their trade or of their property.
Whilst each cabal urges its candidate, and at last brings, with
cheers and street demonstrations, men whose names are a knell to
all hope of progress, the good and wise are hidden in their active
retirements, and are quite out of question.

“These we must join to wake, for these are of the strain


That justice dare defend, and will the age maintain.”[233]

Yet we know, all over this country, men of integrity, capable of


action and of affairs, with the deepest sympathy in all that concerns
the public, mortified by the national disgrace, and quite capable of
any sacrifice except of their honor.
Faults in the working appear in our system, as in all, but they
suggest their own remedies. After every practical mistake out of
which any disaster grows, the people wake and correct it with
energy. And any disturbances in politics, in civil or foreign wars,
sober them, and instantly show more virtue and conviction in the
popular vote. In each new threat of faction the ballot has been,
beyond expectation, right and decisive.
It is ever an inspiration, God only knows whence; a sudden,
undated perception of eternal right coming into and correcting things
that were wrong; a perception that passes through thousands as
readily as through one.
The gracious lesson taught by science to this country is that the
history of Nature from first to last is incessant advance from less to
more, from rude to finer organization, the globe of matter thus
conspiring with the principle of undying hope in man. Nature works in
immense time, and spends individuals and races prodigally to
prepare new individuals and races. The lower kinds are one after
one extinguished; the higher forms come in.[234] The history of
civilization, or the refining of certain races to wonderful power of
performance, is analogous; but the best civilization yet is only
valuable as a ground of hope.
Ours is the country of poor men. Here is practical democracy; here
is the human race poured out over the continent to do itself justice;
all mankind in its shirt-sleeves; not grimacing like poor rich men in
cities, pretending to be rich, but unmistakably taking off its coat to
hard work, when labor is sure to pay.[235] This through all the
country. For really, though you see wealth in the capitals, it is only a
sprinkling of rich men in the cities and at sparse points; the bulk of
the population is poor. In Maine, nearly every man is a lumberer. In
Massachusetts, every twelfth man is a shoemaker, and the rest,
millers, farmers, sailors, fishermen.
Well, the result is, instead of the doleful experience of the
European economist, who tells us, “In almost all countries the
condition of the great body of the people is poor and miserable,”
here that same great body has arrived at a sloven plenty,—ham and
corn-cakes, tight roof and coals enough have been attained; an
unbuttoned comfort, not clean, not thoughtful, far from polished,
without dignity in his repose; the man awkward and restless if he
have not something to do, but honest and kind for the most part,
understanding his own rights and stiff to maintain them, and
disposed to give his children a better education than he received.
The steady improvement of the public schools in the cities and the
country enables the farmer or laborer to secure a precious primary
education. It is rare to find a born American who cannot read and
write. The facility with which clubs are formed by young men for
discussion of social, political and intellectual topics secures the
notoriety of the questions.
Our institutions, of which the town is the unit, are all educational,
for responsibility educates fast. The town-meeting is, after the high-
school, a higher school.[236] The legislature, to which every good
farmer goes once on trial, is a superior academy.
The result appears in the power of invention, the freedom of
thinking, in the readiness for reforms, eagerness for novelty, even for
all the follies of false science; in the antipathy to secret societies, in
the predominance of the democratic party in the politics of the Union,
and in the voice of the public even when irregular and vicious,—the
voice of mobs, the voice of lynch law,—because it is thought to be,
on the whole, the verdict, though badly spoken, of the greatest
number.
All this forwardness and self-reliance, cover self-government;
proceed on the belief that as the people have made a government
they can make another; that their union and law are not in their
memory, but in their blood and condition. If they unmake a law, they
can easily make a new one. In Mr. Webster’s imagination the
American Union was a huge Prince Rupert’s drop, which will snap
into atoms if so much as the smallest end be shivered off. Now the
fact is quite different from this. The people are loyal, law-abiding.
They prefer order, and have no taste for misrule and uproar.

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