The Qualification Test

Many people have inquired about answers to the qualification test. Following is the answer key the admin staff used to grade tests. Keep in mind however that each question was out of 5 points, and that there were many possible different answers for most questions. We graded on the basis of how we thought people would fit in to the Hawkeye Agency best. For this reason, many people got most of their points in the personality section more than the general knowledge section.

Part A: General Knowledge

1. What nation is home to the Nacirema tribe, and what is their relation to the Asu people?
This question is taken from an anthropological essay describing the people of the United States as an anthropologist might see them. "Nacirema" = "American", "Asu" = "USA". They are one and the same, and their "territory" is the U.S.

2. What is the theory known as Occam's Razor?
All solutions being equally probable, the simplest answer is usually the correct one.

3. Why did the pre-Endor Empire put its pilots in unshielded craft? (as opposed to the Rebels, who have always used shields)
Cost and expendabililty. Imperial pilots are expected to serve with skill and devotion; nonetheless, shields were and still are enormously expensive, and it was often easier to train new pilots/build new craft than equip TIEs with shielding devices.

4. What percentage of humans are moribund? (to the nearest two decimal places)
100.00%. Everyone dies, last I checked.

5. a) What color was the Statue of Liberty originally? b) Why is it green now? c) If it were to rain acid rain in New York Harbor periodically, what color would the statue become? (Why?, if you're really sharp!) - Partial credit given!
a) Copper. b) Because Copper oxidizes (rusts) to become green. c) Either blue (because of sulfate - forms CuSO4) or copper is acceptable (because of a reduction-oxidation reaction)

6. Name a legal substance that can kill in two different ways, depending on whether the victim has a small or large dose.
Water, nicotine...several answers are possible here.

7. What is the highest (approximate) membership count that the EH has had since its creation?
a) 3600 b) 3800 c) 4100 d) 3200 e) None of the above
B (3800). Though no exact figure is available, the EH's highest member count has been around 3,800 members. However, E (none)will also be accepted because the people who really know the EH know that 3800 is just a bunch of clones, and the actual number is closer to 1500 I'd say.

8. An alien has landed on your planet. S/he has a completely different culture, without many of the concepts that you take for granted. Explain the idea of "justice" to this creature, not in a dictionary way, but in a simple way that s/he will be able to grasp.
Answers will vary. Also acceptable: "You can't, he/she doesn't speak English (or whatever language)"

9. List one useful product or property of three of the following plants: White-willow tree, yucca plant, dandelion, blackberry bush, foxglove.
Again, answers may vary, but in general: white willowbark contains acetaminophen, aka aspirin. Yucca produces saponins, soap-like substances excellent for washing hair and skin. Dandelion flowers can be made into wine or dye, and their roots and leaves are edible. Blackberry bushes produce food, dye, and medicine, and foxglove flowers are the source of the heart medicine digitalis. - partial credit given for only one or two answers.

10. Give the names, ranks, and positions of the current IO staff.

At the time of the test: (if you got the ranks wrong, it was okay)
IO/AD Ari
CA:IO/VA Darkfire
IOA/FA AbsoluteK
IOA/RA Bevel Leeson
IOA/RA Keldorn


11. Name a literary device used in the following statement: "Each endless sunset shimmers bright as day."

Acceptable answers include iambic pentameter, assonance, alliteration, paradox, and metaphor. Others will be considered.


12. Correct the spelling and grammar in this sentence (without a checker!), or if it is accurate, write "No changes" in the space given:
"Im truely greatfull too you for your time and attention, I cant thank you enough and I hope you beleive me when I say its been great."

I'm truly grateful to you for your time and attention; I can't thank you enough, and I hope you believe me when I say it's been great.
Most of the errors must be corrected for this question to be right.


13. Which of the following does the TIE Defender possess?
a) Shields b) Ion cannons c) Quad laser cannons d) Double lasers e) None of the above

a, b and c (shields,ions,quads)


14. The basic question of an inquisitive child: Why is the sky blue? (or red, or purple, or whatever your particular planet happens to have...)

Molecules in the air scatter blue light more than any other part of the visible spectrum; thus, we see the sky as blue.


15. There are two different coding languages that are related, C and C++. C++ came later. Why is it known as "C++" rather than simply "C+"?

"++" in the language itself is a way to effect an incremental increase ("2++" is 3); thus, the name "C++" indicates that this second version is one step above C.


Part B: Personality

1. If offered your heart's desire for doing so, would you betray the Emperor's Hammer?

This first question will of course ascertain whether the person would make a good NIF member...and if EH, whether the NIF will be able to sway him/her during the course of the game.


2. Scenario: There is something you want to do that is morally wrong, illegal, or both, something for which you know you would feel guilt. You are offered the chance to do this deed and at some later point, forget the entire thing completely so that you will never again feel bad about what you've done. Do you do it?

This question relates to the first one. We want people unencumbered by moral grounds, the type who would not turn back and regret their choice to become an agent. Thus, the "correct" answer would be "yes"...though there is always leeway with these kinds of questions.


3. Which texture is best: fluffy, leathery, spiky, smooth, or squishy?

An obvious relation to one's personality...though we want a mix, someone who identifies well with "fluffy" or "squishy" is perhaps not someone who would make an effective agent.


4. You are a squadron commander with an open Flight Leader position. You have two very promising flight members under your command. One of these members is a mediocre pilot but has shown incredible leadership and is well-liked by the squadron; the other is less popular, less motivational, but a stellar pilot and strategist. Which member would earn your recommendation for FL, and why?

This question will show what an applicant values: people or technical skills. Again, we want a mix, but it will help show us the kind of person we are dealing with.


5. Do you believe that absolute good and absolute evil exist?

Intelligent people are able to think in abstract as well as concrete terms, and expand upon their ideas. Those who give one-word or disinterested responses to this question are not as suitable for the agency as those who elaborate and give a well-reasoned answer.


6. What is, in your opinion, the most advanced species in the universe, and why? (Note: If you are unfamiliar with galaxy-wide life forms, answer this question with regard to your own homeworld.)

This is another question to show what an applicant values. The qualities of the chosen species can reveal a lot about what a person considers to be "advanced". Pay attention.


7. Imagine that you are walking through a forest, and you encounter an animal. What is the animal, and how do you react to it? (Go with your automatic response; don't be tempted to "edit" your first reaction.)

This one comes from an informal personality test that begins with this question and takes the subject through a few different situations. The size of the animal shows the size of the person's current personal problems, and their reaction is how they deal with trouble in general. We want people with few or no personal issues, who react to danger decisively or in a calm, laid-back manner.


8. Look around the room you're in. List the five things closest to you that can be used as a weapon, in order of lethality (most to least lethal).

Resourceful people are observant and make the most of what they have. The best agents will look at everything, and will consider not only scissors and letter openers, but their monitors, pencil points, and even fingernails and teeth as dangerous.


9. What is your favourite snack food?

There is an American doctor currently studying choice of snack foods and its relation to personality. So far, he has determined that snack cracker fans are meticulous and organised, beef jerky or meat snacks indicate a steady, loyal temperament, chocolate shows a passionate and impulsive nature, nuts or seeds indicate a thoughtful, calm nature, chips are for friendly and gregarious people, and pretzels are usually chosen by those who are critical and exacting. Take stock of the answers and decide accordingly.


10. You are stranded from a shuttle crash on a barren world, with communications out. There is a possibility of rescue, but it may not be for a while...meanwhile, this is an ice planet with cold winds, and there are several items available to you, including a blanket, a flask of liquor, a blaster rifle, a woolen hat, a flashlight, a shovel, and an old-style hand-held lighter that is out of fluid. You are only allowed to take three. Which of these do you take, and why?

This is another test of resourcefulness. All of these items have multiple uses. For example, the liquor can serve as drink, a source of internal warmth, and fluid for the lighter. The flashlight can provide light and a beacon to rescuers. A blanket can give outer warmth and shelter, a shovel can be a weapon and a way to break the ice (digging into ice and resting in a tunnel of sorts can actually help keep you warm). The most vital thing is the hat, actually, because 90% of body heat is lost through the head. Consider how people answer.


11. You have entered a room that was formerly the nerve centre for an enemy's base of operations, an enemy who has just been captured. His/her forces, weapons, etc. are unknown. The room is dark, power having been shorted out from the fight, and you can hear sounds though their source is not clear. What is your first priority?

A test of quick thinking. There are many factors to consider here.


12. The best colour to wear to an interview or other one-on-one meeting is ___________ because it shows that you have _________ and __________.

Another way to show what someone values. Red is a colour of anger, aggression, and power. Orange of creativity and mental energy. Yellow, joy and the intellect. Green, healing, fertililty, and prosperity. Blue, calm and harmony. Purple, eccentricity, royalty, and justice.


13. Choose a motto for yourself and explain it.

A way to find out about the person themselves. :)


14. What is most important: keeping your word, succeeding in your goals, or earning admiration/trust?
We do NOT want the last option to be chosen. Hawkeye Agents cannot be trusted except by their own group, and they work behind the scenes, with no admiration or public recognition. The ideal choice is #2, as keeping one's word is also not always possible.

15. The Hawkeye Agency is not a game or a joke. It is not something extra to put on an ID line. It is hard, unrelenting, dangerous work.
We are not an equal opportunity employer, we do not offer fantastic health benefits, and the only "retirement" you're likely to get will involve a blaster bolt through your skull. We give much, but we ask for much. We may one day demand your life-or your quarry may one day take it.
In light of all of this…
Why do you want to be one of us?

Self-Explanatory...

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