My sister was doing the English assessment book which my mom recently bought for her. She didn't know how to do this question, and thus, asked me:

J.K. Rowling is the ________ of the well-known Harry Potter series.
(1) illustrator
(2) journalist
(3) photographer
(4) author

Ok. You might know that the answer's (4), but how is a kid who has never read Harry Potter supposed to know? Even if she does read Harry Potter, how many kids actually take note of who the author is? J.K. Rowling might very well be the illustrator of Harry Potter, for all she knows... Outrageous, right?! This is like a general knowledge question la!

And, just as my (mock) fury was starting to build, I saw this:

My auntie is a Christian. She goes to a ________every Sunday.
(1) market
(2) mosque
(3) church
(4) temple

This question is flawed in a number of ways.
Firstly, not all Christians to go church on Sunday, because there are Seventh Day Adventists, who go on Saturday? Secondly, not all Christians go to church, huh... But that has got something to do with their own practice and commitment to their faith. Thirdly, a church is a "temple of God"? And lastly, can't Christians go to the market on Sunday as well?



Ok. Maybe I'm being too analytical/critical. But, but - such ridiculous English questions! They're like so unfair (esp the 1st one), and don't really test a student's standard of English. Should I write a letter of complaint to the publisher?

Nah. I think not.

- val