From dfrankiswork at davewitley.yahoo.invalid Mon Oct 2 09:18:24 2006 From: dfrankiswork at davewitley.yahoo.invalid (davewitley) Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2006 09:18:24 -0000 Subject: She's Evil In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Phyllis wrote: > > The second WOMBAT is up on JKR.com, and I don't see how in the world > we're supposed to know how to answer some (actually most) of the > questions. Even getting into the room is a huge challenge - I tried > to follow the directions on TLC, but I couldn't get the key to work > properly until I found a screenshot of the correct key placement on > Mugglenet. > > As if I didn't already feel incredibly intellectually inferior to > Jo ... Kelley more or less walked me through the motions to get to the WOMBAT. I think it's pretty clear that some of the questions either have no right answer or the highest-scoring answer is the one that accords most with JKR's values. Neither case suggests intellectual superiority on JKR's part. I do wonder if some of them are really a kind of concealed poll of fandom opinion. I think that when, say, you have to pick one option that is false, the idea is that you pick the one that you know from canon *must* be false, rather than one that is pretty likely to false, all things considered, but you don't actually know. David From quigonginger at quigonginger.yahoo.invalid Mon Oct 2 16:05:11 2006 From: quigonginger at quigonginger.yahoo.invalid (quigonginger) Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2006 16:05:11 -0000 Subject: She's Evil In-Reply-To: Message-ID: David wrote: > Kelley more or less walked me through the motions to get to the WOMBAT. > > I think it's pretty clear that some of the questions either have no > right answer or the highest-scoring answer is the one that accords > most with JKR's values. Neither case suggests intellectual > superiority on JKR's part. > > I do wonder if some of them are really a kind of concealed poll of > fandom opinion. > > I think that when, say, you have to pick one option that is false, the > idea is that you pick the one that you know from canon *must* be > false, rather than one that is pretty likely to false, all things > considered, but you don't actually know. Ginger: I admit to using Potterkeys. They spell out things pretty clearly. SPOILERS FOR WOMBAT The question I wondered most about was the one where we had to pick three things that we would find indespensible if we were in trouble. Were we supposed to be thinking as Muggles? That thought hit me after I finished taking it. If not, then which three would depend on what kind of trouble we were in and whether our reaction would be an offensive strategy of a defensive one. I wonder how she's going to grade that one. Ginger, thanking Phyllis for the "heads up". From annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid Thu Oct 5 13:06:11 2006 From: annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid (Annemehr) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:06:11 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel Message-ID: Does anyone else want to rehash like Hermione, or are your sympathies with Ron? I shamelessly lifted the text of the questions from CoS forums over on Mugglenet. And, I suppose I'll repost this over in the Hogs_Head group, too. Anyway ---- W.O.M.B.A.T. Grade 2 Questions (four parts, 18 questions): Part I Magical Beings (35/100) 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? -Hags eat small children -Inferi cannot speak -Goblins fear sunlight -There are no female centaurs -Vampire bites are curable nowadays Anne: Inferi cannot speak I'm pretty sure they were silent in the cave in HBP. I *know* we've seen goblins in the sunlight, and I don't think they're afraid of much. And, I think hags get a bad rap. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Which of the following statements is FALSE? -Ghosts can cause movement of both liquid and gas -Freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt -The werewolf's snout is shorter than that of the true wolf -There are no male veela -Hags have four toes on each foot Anne: Hags have four toes on each foot I really think the werewolf and veela ones are true. We have seen Myrtle move liquid; it really seems no leap to think she can move gas as well. No idea about the merpeople, really, and I just guessed it was the hag one. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Which of the following are considered MOST dangerous by the Ministry of Magic? -Dementors -Hags -Inferi -Vampires -Werewolves Anne: Dementors Well, it was between Inferi and Dementors. It does seem Inferi might be more *feared,* but I thought part of that might be more taboo than danger. Inferi will kill you but dementors will do worse -- that's what finally swayed me. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Which of the following are considered AMORTAL (have never died, and can never die) by the Ministry of Magic? -Dementors -Ghosts -Inferi -Poltergeists -Vampires Anne: Poltergeists -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Which (still unresolved) issue do most historians believe triggered the infamous goblin rebellion of 1612? -Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot? -Wizard attempts to enslave goblins and use as house-elves? -Wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand? -Attempt of wizards to regain control of Gringotts bank -Series of brutal goblin-slayings by wizard murderer Yardley Platt Anne: Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot Really, the wand issue seemed about as likely to be correct. I let Hermione's statement, that goblins don't need protecting like House- Elves do, sway me. They might be peeved about the wand ban, but I don't think they really need them. But a thought just occurred to me -- does the Wizengamot even go back to 1612? I'll have to look that up... ------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Which of the following statements on giants is TRUE? -Giant clans are matriarchal (females in charge) -Female giants are usually larger than males -Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans -Giants are nocturnal -Many giants are cannibals Anne: Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans OoP disproves the first, and suggests the second and fourth are false also (they did stay up really late, but Hagrid and Olympe met the gurgs in the daytime). I just thought the cannibal one sounded like it might be gossip. In his scenes in OoP, Grawp does stoop down to get a better look at humans and centaurs -- it does seem to suggest the possibility of nearsightedness. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? -House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years -A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to the inhabitants of the house) -House-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves -House-elf magic is sufficiently powerful to override wizards enchantments -House-elves breed infrequently and then only with their master's permission Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years If that were true, I don't think there would be all those heads mounted in the hall at 12 GP, given Aunt Elladora's spot on the family tree. 'Course, I could have been tripped up by JKR's lack of math skills... ------------------------------------------------------------------- Part II Wizarding Current Affairs (25/100) 8. In a recent Ministry of Magic poll, what was identified as the issue most concerning the wizarding community at the present time? -Insufficient information given by Ministry of Magic regarding the return of Lord Voldemort -Insufficient action taken by Ministry of Magic to fight Lord Voldemort -Inadequate Ministry of Magic resources devoted to the protection of the wizarding community -Over-reaction of the Ministry of Magic to the return of Lord Voldemort, which is the best thing that has happened to the wizarding community in many years Anne: Insufficient action taken The wizarding public wants to see *results,* dang it. Rufus Scrimgeour's attitude about Stan Shunpike's imprisonment would suggest that he got the memo on this poll, too. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. According to a recent article in the Daily Prophet, which subject at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been complained about by parents more than any other (over 100 year period)? -Care of Magical Creatures -Defense Against the Dark Arts -History of Magic -Muggle Studies Anne: DADA It was between that and CoMC. I guess I decided that a flurry of DADA complaints since the curse was cast may have outweighed the steady flutter of CoMC owls. No confidence in this one, though. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. What percentage of wizards and witches believe that Weather- Modifying Charms should be regulated due to their effect upon the environment? (Figures collected by Committee for Experimental Charms) - 3% - 33% - 53% - 93% Anne: 3% We just don't really see weather modification -- school students play Quidditch in thunderstorms, for heaven's sake (well, apparently it's an Experimental Charm anyway). Nor do I imagine wizards would worry much about environmental damage unless they saw their activity cause a lot of it -- similar to Muggle attitudes, I guess. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. Mungo's Admissions Department) -Suspected brain damage due to Imperius Curse -Suspected death due to Thestral sightings -Spate of suspected werewolf bits -Uncontrollable bleeding due to 'Nosebleed Nougat' Anne: Werewolf bites Herbert Chorely notwithstanding -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. What change would 18% of wizards like to see to the requirements for membership of the Wizengamot? (Source: Ministry of Magic poll) -Average age lowered from 87 -Proof of pure-blood status -Maximum of three years in post -Goblin representation Anne: Goblin representation It goes nicely with my answer to #5 -- although, that could just as well mean I got them both *wrong.* Proof of pure-blood status seems likely, too, but *maybe* 18% is a little high, since not all purebloods would vote this way. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Part Three Magical Objects (15/100) 13. Assuming that you already have a wand, which THREE of the following would you consider indispensable in case of trouble? -Anti-Muggle doorknob -Broomstick -Cauldron -Crystal ball -Extendable Ears -Floo Powder -Foe Glass -Hand of Glory -Invisibility Cloak -Lunascope -Omnioculars -Parchment -Pensieve -Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder -Potion-making kit -Quick-Quotes Quill -Remembrall -Revealer -Scales -Secrecy Sensor -Sneakoscope -Telescope -Time-Turner -Two-way mirror -Wizard's wireless Anne: Broom, invisibility cloak, time-turner I snapped up the cloak right away. Eventually, I also picked out the broom, time-turner, and two-way mirror and had to narrow those down to two. (Dark detectors seemed tempting for about 5 seconds, but there are too many choices of them, and I think they're too dodgy to be useful.) I went with the broom, in case of anti-apparition jinxes (I'm sure there was a JKR interview or chat answer about this issue somewhere - - why they don't just apparate out of a losing battle), kept the time-turner, and reluctantly left the two-way mirror out. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Part Four Muggle Studies (25/100) 14. Which of the following is the ONLY magical invention whose effect has not yet been duplicated FULLY by Muggle ingenuity? -Flying broomstick -Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover -Omnioculars -"reparo" -Self-ironing robes Anne: Reparo* *Cf: landfills -------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Which of the following is the ONLY Muggle invention whose effects cannot be duplicated FULLY by magic? -Aeroplane -Car -Computer -Telephone -Television Anne: Computer I know we haven't seen anything quite like a television either -- but it seems to me that it surely *can* be duplicated by magic, as it's really just a combination of the scoreboard we saw at the QWC and wizarding wireless. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? -Muggleborn witches/wizards are more likely to produce Squib children than those who have one or more wizarding parents. -Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree, though s/he may be generations back. -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally less prone to certain magical ilnesses than those who have one or more wizarding parent. -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents. -Muggleborn witches/wizards have great natural rhythm. Anne: Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree I ruled out the illness and magic in childhood choices on the theory that they are based on the idea that Muggleborns are somehow *less* magical than other witches/wizards. The Squib one seemed to be a little bit along those lines, too, so I chose the second one by process of elimination. And after all, that's how my second daughter ended up a blonde... -------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. Which of the following statements is FALSE? (According to the latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) -It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic if they have access to a wand and a book of spells. -It is possible for a Muggle to inadvertently stumble upon magically protected areas such as Diagon Alley and St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. -It is possible for a Muggle to see and correctly identify magical creatures. -It is possible for a Muggle to see and yet deny the existence of magical creatures, even without magical intervention. -It is possible for a Muggle to believe in impossibilities. Anne: It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic ------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. Muggle are: -Ignorant -In danger -Inferior to wizards -Insensitive to their surroundings -Interesting -Irritating facts of life Anne: Insensitive to their surroundings They are also in danger, especially *now,* but I didn't choose that because this is not a current events question. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I took the test a second time, changing a few of my most tentative answers, and I see the owls are on their way... ~Anne From annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid Thu Oct 5 13:19:55 2006 From: annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid (Annemehr) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:19:55 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: > 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies > and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. > Mungo's Admissions Department) > > -Suspected brain damage due to Imperius Curse > -Suspected death due to Thestral sightings > -Spate of suspected werewolf bits > -Uncontrollable bleeding due to 'Nosebleed Nougat' Now I'm glad I blamed the text on CoS forums. "Spate of suspected werewolf bits" --- ewwwwwww. Anne, not caring whether they're considered an aphrodisiac, or not From dfrankiswork at davewitley.yahoo.invalid Thu Oct 5 15:05:31 2006 From: dfrankiswork at davewitley.yahoo.invalid (davewitley) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:05:31 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: OK, I'm game. Annemehr wrote: > 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? > > -Hags eat small children > -Inferi cannot speak > -Goblins fear sunlight > -There are no female centaurs > -Vampire bites are curable nowadays > > Anne: Inferi cannot speak > > I'm pretty sure they were silent in the cave in HBP. I *know* we've > seen goblins in the sunlight, and I don't think they're afraid of > much. And, I think hags get a bad rap. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- My reasoning with these type of questions is "Canon has said nothing about the curability or otherwise of vampire bites, therefore it cannot be the answer". In other words, there is no underlying model of reality. That meant I went with the hags, because at least that gets a mention. It also means I differ on quite a few of the questions. > 2. Which of the following statements is FALSE? > > -Ghosts can cause movement of both liquid and gas > -Freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt > -The werewolf's snout is shorter than that of the true wolf > -There are no male veela > -Hags have four toes on each foot > > Anne: Hags have four toes on each foot > By similar reasoning I went with the werewolf. > > 3. Which of the following are considered MOST dangerous by the > Ministry of Magic? > > -Dementors > -Hags > -Inferi > -Vampires > -Werewolves > > Anne: Dementors > > Well, it was between Inferi and Dementors. It does seem Inferi > might be more *feared,* but I thought part of that might be more > taboo than danger. Inferi will kill you but dementors will do > worse -- that's what finally swayed me. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- The question is not about which is actually dangerous, but what the MOM thinks; they clearly believe Dementors are OK. I went with inferi based on the pamphlet in HBP: that mentions them but not Greyback. MOM attitudes to vampires are relatively relaxed if Percy has to cite a boring memo for them. - > > > 7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? > > -House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years > -A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to > the inhabitants of the house) > -House-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves > -House-elf magic is sufficiently powerful to override wizards > enchantments > -House-elves breed infrequently and then only with their master's > permission > > Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years > > If that were true, I don't think there would be all those heads > mounted in the hall at 12 GP, given Aunt Elladora's spot on the > family tree. 'Course, I could have been tripped up by JKR's lack of > math skills... > ------------------------------------------------------------------- I went with the house. I take it she means 'building' not 'family' (as in 'House of David'). On reflection, though, I think Harry inherits Kreacher as part of 12 Grimmauld Place, not as Sirius' legacy per se. The implication either way, that House-elves breed only with their master's permission, is depressing, though consistent with the real history of slavery. > > 8. In a recent Ministry of Magic poll, what was identified as the > issue most concerning the wizarding community at the present time? > > -Insufficient information given by Ministry of Magic regarding the > return of Lord Voldemort > -Insufficient action taken by Ministry of Magic to fight Lord > Voldemort > -Inadequate Ministry of Magic resources devoted to the protection of > the wizarding community > -Over-reaction of the Ministry of Magic to the return of Lord > Voldemort, which is the best thing that has happened to the > wizarding community in many years > > Anne: Insufficient action taken > > The wizarding public wants to see *results,* dang it. Rufus > Scrimgeour's attitude about Stan Shunpike's imprisonment would > suggest that he got the memo on this poll, too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------ I think the WC comes across as so self-absorbed that they don't care how they are protected - if the MOM reached a deal with Voldemort that would be fine with most of them. So I ticked the third option. > > 9. According to a recent article in the Daily Prophet, which subject > at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been complained > about by parents more than any other (over 100 year period)? > > -Care of Magical Creatures > -Defense Against the Dark Arts > -History of Magic > -Muggle Studies > > Anne: DADA > > It was between that and CoMC. I guess I decided that a flurry of > DADA complaints since the curse was cast may have outweighed the > steady flutter of CoMC owls. No confidence in this one, though. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- Any of these are possible, depending on who is the squeakiest wheel. Malfoy types object to DADA on principle; I can see many purebloods objecting to Muggle Studies unless it's a purely practical guide to exploiting them; CoMC is clearly dangerous; the type of history taught by Binns is a minefield of carefully-avoided subjects (Grindelwald? Arguments between the founders? VWI?) which might be the consequence of complaints in the past. I went with CoMC but agree it could easily be DADA based on Draco's comments. > > > 10. What percentage of wizards and witches believe that Weather- > Modifying Charms should be regulated due to their effect upon the > environment? (Figures collected by Committee for Experimental Charms) > - 3% > - 33% > - 53% > - 93% > > Anne: 3% > > We just don't really see weather modification -- school students > play Quidditch in thunderstorms, for heaven's sake (well, apparently > it's an Experimental Charm anyway). Nor do I imagine wizards would > worry much about environmental damage unless they saw their activity > cause a lot of it -- similar to Muggle attitudes, I guess. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- Surely if we don't see weather modification, that shows it *is* regulated, and since there are no complaints, support for regulation must be high? I can't remember what I put, but it was one of the middle ones, given the competing tendencies to laissez-faire and bureaucratic nitpicking of the WW. > > > 12. What change would 18% of wizards like to see to the requirements > for membership of the Wizengamot? (Source: Ministry of Magic poll) > > -Average age lowered from 87 > -Proof of pure-blood status > -Maximum of three years in post > -Goblin representation > > Anne: Goblin representation > > It goes nicely with my answer to #5 -- although, that could just as > well mean I got them both *wrong.* Proof of pure-blood status seems > likely, too, but *maybe* 18% is a little high, since not all > purebloods would vote this way. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - I thought 18% sounded about right for the Black/Malfoy tendency that would prefer purebloods. I doubt there's any constituency for goblin representation. > 14. Which of the following is the ONLY magical invention whose > effect has not yet been duplicated FULLY by Muggle ingenuity? > > -Flying broomstick > -Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover > -Omnioculars > -"reparo" > -Self-ironing robes > > Anne: Reparo* > > *Cf: landfills How has the broomstick been duplicated? > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 15. Which of the following is the ONLY Muggle invention whose > effects cannot be duplicated FULLY by magic? > > -Aeroplane > -Car > -Computer > -Telephone > -Television > > Anne: Computer > > I know we haven't seen anything quite like a television either -- > but it seems to me that it surely *can* be duplicated by magic, as > it's really just a combination of the scoreboard we saw at the QWC > and wizarding wireless. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- I agreed on the response as I think JKR sees computers as the ultimate in the type of thing that doesn't work around magic. However, I do wonder about things like the Marauder's Map and Riddle's Diary - all those things that can 'think for themselves'. > 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, > but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research > from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? > > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are more likely to produce Squib > children than those who have one or more wizarding parents. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor > somewhere in their family tree, though s/he may be generations back. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally less prone to certain > magical ilnesses than those who have one or more wizarding parent. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of > magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards have great natural rhythm. > > Anne: Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard > ancestor somewhere in their family tree > > I ruled out the illness and magic in childhood choices on the theory > that they are based on the idea that Muggleborns are somehow *less* > magical than other witches/wizards. The Squib one seemed to be a > little bit along those lines, too, so I chose the second one by > process of elimination. And after all, that's how my second > daughter ended up a blonde... Really tricky. Like you, I feel that this is meant to be answered by reference to moral considerations. I can't remember what I put or reconstruct a good line of argument. However, the interesting thing about this question is the existence of the Institute of Muggle Studies. So there *are* academic organisations in the WW after all... > 18. Muggle are: > > -Ignorant > -In danger > -Inferior to wizards > -Insensitive to their surroundings > -Interesting > -Irritating facts of life > > Anne: Insensitive to their surroundings > > They are also in danger, especially *now,* but I didn't choose that > because this is not a current events question. -In possession of great natural rhythm. David From ewetoo at ewe2_au.yahoo.invalid Thu Oct 5 15:07:22 2006 From: ewetoo at ewe2_au.yahoo.invalid (ewe2) Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 01:07:22 +1000 Subject: [the_old_crowd] Re: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <91d14f320610050807y6df771d3y8ef1395d7645c97b@...> On 10/5/06, Annemehr wrote: > > 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies > > and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. > > Mungo's Admissions Department) > > > > -Suspected brain damage due to Imperius Curse > > -Suspected death due to Thestral sightings > > -Spate of suspected werewolf bits > > -Uncontrollable bleeding due to 'Nosebleed Nougat' > > > Now I'm glad I blamed the text on CoS forums. "Spate of suspected > werewolf bits" --- ewwwwwww. > > Anne, > not caring whether they're considered an aphrodisiac, or not Thanks, Anne, for that charming mental picture and the above WOMBAT, which alas I could not get around to myself. On question 5, I vaguely recall that goblins were magical in a similar manner to House Elves and would not require wands, but I'm still torn between the representation and the murders. -- Emacs vs. Vi flamewars are a pointless waste of time. Vi is the best From arrowsmithbt at kneasy.yahoo.invalid Thu Oct 5 18:15:18 2006 From: arrowsmithbt at kneasy.yahoo.invalid (Barry Arrowsmith) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:15:18 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: --- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, "Annemehr" wrote: > > 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? > > -Hags eat small children > -Inferi cannot speak > -Goblins fear sunlight > -There are no female centaurs > -Vampire bites are curable nowadays > > Anne: Inferi cannot speak > Um. Depends how close Jo is sticking to classical mythology - in the old Graeco-Roman tradition there were no female centaurs - hence the latter's enthusiasm for pouncing on human female picnic-parties. And no, I didn't indicate that option - I went for the hags - FBaWTFT describes hags gliding about during one of the many abortive meetings of magical beings/beasties *looking for children to eat*. Well, I can take a hint. Kneasy From spotthedungbeetle at dungrollin.yahoo.invalid Fri Oct 6 09:43:24 2006 From: spotthedungbeetle at dungrollin.yahoo.invalid (dungrollin) Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 09:43:24 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: W.O.M.B.A.T. Grade 2 Questions (four parts, 18 questions): Part I Magical Beings (35/100) 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? -Hags eat small children -Inferi cannot speak -Goblins fear sunlight -There are no female centaurs -Vampire bites are curable nowadays Anne: Inferi cannot speak Dung: Yep, me too. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Which of the following statements is FALSE? -Ghosts can cause movement of both liquid and gas -Freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt -The werewolf's snout is shorter than that of the true wolf -There are no male veela -Hags have four toes on each foot Anne: Hags have four toes on each foot Dung: I think I put Merpeople, but I'm not sure now. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Which of the following are considered MOST dangerous by the Ministry of Magic? -Dementors -Hags -Inferi -Vampires -Werewolves Anne: Dementors Dung: Inferi -------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Which of the following are considered AMORTAL (have never died, and can never die) by the Ministry of Magic? -Dementors -Ghosts -Inferi -Poltergeists -Vampires Anne: Poltergeists Dung: Yep, me too. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Which (still unresolved) issue do most historians believe triggered the infamous goblin rebellion of 1612? -Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot? -Wizard attempts to enslave goblins and use as house-elves? -Wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand? -Attempt of wizards to regain control of Gringotts bank -Series of brutal goblin-slayings by wizard murderer Yardley Platt Anne: Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot Dung: Wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand (I think.) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Which of the following statements on giants is TRUE? -Giant clans are matriarchal (females in charge) -Female giants are usually larger than males -Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans -Giants are nocturnal -Many giants are cannibals Anne: Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans Dung: I can't remember which I chose between eyesight and Females larger than males. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? -House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years -A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to the inhabitants of the house) -House-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves -House-elf magic is sufficiently powerful to override wizards enchantments -House-elves breed infrequently and then only with their master's permission Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years Dung: A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to the inhabitants of the house). ------------------------------------------------------------------- Part II Wizarding Current Affairs (25/100) 8. In a recent Ministry of Magic poll, what was identified as the issue most concerning the wizarding community at the present time? -Insufficient information given by Ministry of Magic regarding the return of Lord Voldemort -Insufficient action taken by Ministry of Magic to fight Lord Voldemort -Inadequate Ministry of Magic resources devoted to the protection of the wizarding community -Over-reaction of the Ministry of Magic to the return of Lord Voldemort, which is the best thing that has happened to the wizarding community in many years Anne: Insufficient action taken Dung: Yep, me too. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. According to a recent article in the Daily Prophet, which subject at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been complained about by parents more than any other (over 100 year period)? -Care of Magical Creatures -Defense Against the Dark Arts -History of Magic -Muggle Studies Anne: DADA Dung: I put CoMC, given that Professor Kettleburn retired to spend more time with his remaining limbs, I figured that Malfoy's complaint was pretty run-of-the-mill stuff for that subject. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. What percentage of wizards and witches believe that Weather- Modifying Charms should be regulated due to their effect upon the environment? (Figures collected by Committee for Experimental Charms) - 3% - 33% - 53% - 93% Anne: 3% Dung: Yep, me too. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. Mungo's Admissions Department) -Suspected brain damage due to Imperius Curse -Suspected death due to Thestral sightings -Spate of suspected werewolf bits -Uncontrollable bleeding due to 'Nosebleed Nougat' Anne: Werewolf bites Dung: Yep, me too. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. What change would 18% of wizards like to see to the requirements for membership of the Wizengamot? (Source: Ministry of Magic poll) -Average age lowered from 87 -Proof of pure-blood status -Maximum of three years in post -Goblin representation Anne: Goblin representation Dung: Proof of pure-blood status -------------------------------------------------------------------- Part Three Magical Objects (15/100) 13. Assuming that you already have a wand, which THREE of the following would you consider indispensable in case of trouble? -Anti-Muggle doorknob -Broomstick -Cauldron -Crystal ball -Extendable Ears -Floo Powder -Foe Glass -Hand of Glory -Invisibility Cloak -Lunascope -Omnioculars -Parchment -Pensieve -Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder -Potion-making kit -Quick-Quotes Quill -Remembrall -Revealer -Scales -Secrecy Sensor -Sneakoscope -Telescope -Time-Turner -Two-way mirror -Wizard's wireless Anne: Broom, invisibility cloak, time-turner Dung: Foe Glass, Invisibility cloak, Floo powder. (See it coming, hide from it, get away from it.) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Part Four Muggle Studies (25/100) 14. Which of the following is the ONLY magical invention whose effect has not yet been duplicated FULLY by Muggle ingenuity? -Flying broomstick -Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover -Omnioculars -"reparo" -Self-ironing robes Anne: Reparo* Dung: Yep, me too. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Which of the following is the ONLY Muggle invention whose effects cannot be duplicated FULLY by magic? -Aeroplane -Car -Computer -Telephone -Television Anne: Computer Dung: Yep, me too. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? -Muggleborn witches/wizards are more likely to produce Squib children than those who have one or more wizarding parents. -Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree, though s/he may be generations back. -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally less prone to certain magical ilnesses than those who have one or more wizarding parent. -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents. -Muggleborn witches/wizards have great natural rhythm. Anne: Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree Dung: Yep, me too. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. Which of the following statements is FALSE? (According to the latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) -It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic if they have access to a wand and a book of spells. -It is possible for a Muggle to inadvertently stumble upon magically protected areas such as Diagon Alley and St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. -It is possible for a Muggle to see and correctly identify magical creatures. -It is possible for a Muggle to see and yet deny the existence of magical creatures, even without magical intervention. -It is possible for a Muggle to believe in impossibilities. Anne: It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic Dung: Yep, me too. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. Muggles are: -Ignorant -In danger -Inferior to wizards -Insensitive to their surroundings -Interesting -Irritating facts of life Anne: Insensitive to their surroundings Dung: I put `in danger'. `Pparently my answers merited an outstanding. Not sure why. From hp at gulplum.yahoo.invalid Fri Oct 6 12:18:35 2006 From: hp at gulplum.yahoo.invalid (Richard) Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 13:18:35 +0100 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4.2.0.58.20061006123802.00b20120@...> Long time no see. :-) I want to make just a couple of comments on Dung's and Anne's answers where I disagree with either of their rationales. I won't waste time and space with the answers where we all agree. At 10:43 06/10/2006 , dungrollin wrote: >7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? > >-House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years >-A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to >the inhabitants of the house) >-House-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves >-House-elf magic is sufficiently powerful to override wizards >enchantments >-House-elves breed infrequently and then only with their master's >permission > >Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years > >Dung: A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than >to the inhabitants of the house). 1) is unlikely to be true because of the heads at 12 GP; 2) *could* be true but although we don't have express canon stating the case, Winky appears to have had no problems leaving the Crouch house and reporting to Hogwarts (note that her two masters are dead or soul-sucked by that time so she doesn't seem to have a human master), whilst Kreacher seems to have stayed at 12 GP because of Mrs Black's portrait rather than any obligation to the building itself; 3) is phrased weirdly (double negative) but at least twice we've had Elves who "misbehaved" to the extent that they'd be better of dead (in their rather nasty masters' eyes) because of the secrets they know (Dobby and Winky) and that course of action wasn't taken, so they probably can't be ordered to kill themselves (i.e. the statement is likely to be true); 4) is likely to be true because Elves appear to have no trouble getting into and out of Hogwarts despite the "enchantments" (note that specific word in the question, and that's the word that's been used in the past to describe Hogwarts' protection); we have absolutely no canon information about the two elements of 5), so I put in a category marked "pointless and thus to be discounted as a possibility". The only reasonable answer therefore as far as I'm concerned is that statement 1) must be the untrue one. >13. Assuming that you already have a wand, which THREE of the >following would you consider indispensable in case of trouble? > >-Anti-Muggle doorknob >-Broomstick >-Cauldron >-Crystal ball >-Extendable Ears >-Floo Powder >-Foe Glass >-Hand of Glory >-Invisibility Cloak >-Lunascope >-Omnioculars >-Parchment >-Pensieve >-Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder >-Potion-making kit >-Quick-Quotes Quill >-Remembrall >-Revealer >-Scales >-Secrecy Sensor >-Sneakoscope >-Telescope >-Time-Turner >-Two-way mirror >-Wizard's wireless > >Anne: Broom, invisibility cloak, time-turner > >Dung: Foe Glass, Invisibility cloak, Floo powder. (See it coming, >hide from it, get away from it.) I won't go through my opinions on the whole list, but I disagree with the Time-Turner (I think this was a trick inclusion, as many readers appear to think that TTs can routinely *change* the past, which is not true) and effectively it doesn't really help; Floo Powder is only of help if one has access to a fireplace connected to the Floo Network. Also, one has to be able to use it (i.e. having to state a destination loudly and clearly) out of earshot of whoever you're escaping - they know where you're going. Both are by no means guaranteed. With several items, such as the two-way mirror (JKR has hinted that it will become useful) we don't yet know what they can do, so I put them into the same category as statement 5) for question 7. above. I'm not sure, but I think my selection was (using a similar rationale to Dung's) Foe Glass, invisibility cloak and broomstick. >`Pparently my answers merited an outstanding. Not sure why. Same here. :-) From annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid Fri Oct 6 12:43:35 2006 From: annemehr at annemehr.yahoo.invalid (Annemehr) Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:43:35 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Dung!!! You got an O? You swo-- I mean, congratulations! I took the test a second time, and changed eight answers, and got EE both times. Hmmmm... In the interests of trying to figure out the right answers, here's a comparison: > 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? > Anne: Inferi cannot speak > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 2. Which of the following statements is FALSE? > > Anne: Hags have four toes on each foot > > Dung: I think I put Merpeople, but I'm not sure now. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 3. Which of the following are considered MOST dangerous by the > Ministry of Magic? > > Anne: Dementors > > Dung: Inferi Anne 2: Inferi <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 4. Which of the following are considered AMORTAL (have never died, > and can never die) by the Ministry of Magic? > > Anne: Poltergeists > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 5. Which (still unresolved) issue do most historians believe > triggered the infamous goblin rebellion of 1612? > > Anne: Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot > > Dung: Wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand (I > think.) Anne 2: Refusal to grant wands <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 6. Which of the following statements on giants is TRUE? > > Anne: Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans > > Dung: I can't remember which I chose between eyesight and Females > larger than males. Anne 2: Many giants are cannibals <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? > > Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years > > Dung: A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than > to the inhabitants of the house). > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > 8. In a recent Ministry of Magic poll, what was identified as the > issue most concerning the wizarding community at the present time? > > Anne: Insufficient action taken > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > 9. According to a recent article in the Daily Prophet, which subject > at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been complained > about by parents more than any other (over 100 year period)? > > Anne: DADA > > Dung: I put CoMC, Anne 2: CoMC <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 10. What percentage of wizards and witches believe that Weather- > Modifying Charms should be regulated due to their effect upon the > environment? (Figures collected by Committee for Experimental Charms) > > Anne: 3% > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies > and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. > Mungo's Admissions Department) > > Anne: Werewolf bites > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 12. What change would 18% of wizards like to see to the requirements > for membership of the Wizengamot? (Source: Ministry of Magic poll) > > Anne: Goblin representation > > Dung: Proof of pure-blood status Anne 2: Proof of pure-blood status <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 13. Assuming that you already have a wand, which THREE of the > following would you consider indispensable in case of trouble? > > Anne: Broom, invisibility cloak, time-turner > > Dung: Foe Glass, Invisibility cloak, Floo powder. (See it coming, > hide from it, get away from it.) Anne 2: Invisibility cloak, TT, 2-way mirror <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > 14. Which of the following is the ONLY magical invention whose > effect has not yet been duplicated FULLY by Muggle ingenuity? > > Anne: Reparo* > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- - > > > 15. Which of the following is the ONLY Muggle invention whose > effects cannot be duplicated FULLY by magic? > > Anne: Computer > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, > but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research > from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? > > Anne: Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard > ancestor somewhere in their family tree > > Dung: Yep, me too. Anne 2: Muggleborns less prone to illnesses <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > 17. Which of the following statements is FALSE? (According to the > latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) > > Anne: It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic > > Dung: Yep, me too. > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > 18. Muggles are: > > Anne: Insensitive to their surroundings > > Dung: I put `in danger'. Anne 2: In danger. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< So, the first time I differed with Dung in 8 answers, the second in five -- but included in that number are (maybe) two answers where I had agreed with her the first time I took the test and then disagreed the second. Ummm... anybody good at statistics and analysis? Anne P.S. Just saw Richard's post -- you may be right about the time turner. Your reasoning did cross my mind, but I thought I might use it right at the moment when I would be thinking "what I really need right now is _____________," then go back in time and try to place the item just where I would find it the next moment. It just seemed to have potential for flexibility and usefulness, I guess. From erisedstraeh2002 at erisedstraeh2002.yahoo.invalid Sat Oct 7 00:25:09 2006 From: erisedstraeh2002 at erisedstraeh2002.yahoo.invalid (Phyllis) Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:25:09 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT part deux -- the Sequel In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Annemehr wrote: > Does anyone else want to rehash like Hermione, or are your > sympathies with Ron? I'm up for a rehash. Congrats to everyone on their scores. Somehow I managed an EE, which amazed me, as I was expecting a T ::raises hands in mock triumph:: > 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE? > > -Hags eat small children > -Inferi cannot speak > -Goblins fear sunlight > -There are no female centaurs > -Vampire bites are curable nowadays > > Anne: Inferi cannot speak Me, too. I figured a dead body wouldn't be able to talk. Although presumably it wouldn't be able to walk, either. Hmmm. > 2. Which of the following statements is FALSE? > > -Ghosts can cause movement of both liquid and gas > -Freshwater merpeople are less warlike than salt > -The werewolf's snout is shorter than that of the true wolf > -There are no male veela > -Hags have four toes on each foot > > Anne: Hags have four toes on each foot I chose werewolf's snout. We know from the pensieve scene in OotP that the shape is different, so I went the next step to length. But I really had no idea. > 3. Which of the following are considered MOST dangerous by the > Ministry of Magic? > > -Dementors > -Hags > -Inferi > -Vampires > -Werewolves > > Anne: Dementors I chose werewolves, given that it's the MoM that's the one determining "dangerous" and given their prejudice against werewolves. Since they hire Dementors to guard Azkaban, I didn't think that was correct, and hags hang out in pubs, so I didn't think that could be right, either. Inferi and Vampires were good contenders, but it was the MoM prejudice factor that led me to choose werewolves. > 4. Which of the following are considered AMORTAL (have never died, > and can never die) by the Ministry of Magic? > > -Dementors > -Ghosts > -Inferi > -Poltergeists > -Vampires > > Anne: Poltergeists Me, too. Presumably Filch would have killed Peeves by now if it was possible. > 5. Which (still unresolved) issue do most historians believe > triggered the infamous goblin rebellion of 1612? > > -Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot? > -Wizard attempts to enslave goblins and use as house-elves? > -Wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand? > -Attempt of wizards to regain control of Gringotts bank > -Series of brutal goblin-slayings by wizard murderer Yardley Platt > > Anne: Lack of goblin representation on the Wizengamot I chose wizard refusal to grant goblins the right to carry a wand. Bill or Arthur's words in OotP came back to me, something like: "if Voldemort gives goblins the freedoms we wizards have been denying to them for years, they might join him." Not allowing goblins to carry a wand seemed to equate with a denied freedom. > 6. Which of the following statements on giants is TRUE? > > -Giant clans are matriarchal (females in charge) > -Female giants are usually larger than males > -Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans > -Giants are nocturnal > -Many giants are cannibals > > Anne: Giants' eyesight is very poor compared with that of humans Me, too (by process of elimination). > 7. Which of the following statements on house-elves is FALSE? > > -House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years > -A house-elf's allegiance is foremost to its house (rather than to > the inhabitants of the house) > -House-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves > -House-elf magic is sufficiently powerful to override wizards > enchantments > -House-elves breed infrequently and then only with their master's > permission > > Anne: House-elves have an average life-expectancy of 200 years I chose "house-elves cannot be ordered to kill themselves" on the premise that since they're enslaved, they can be ordered to do anything. And we know they punish themselves by inflicting physical pain and can be beheaded by their masters when they get too old to carry tea trays. > Part II > Wizarding Current Affairs > (25/100) > > 8. In a recent Ministry of Magic poll, what was identified as the > issue most concerning the wizarding community at the present time? > > -Insufficient information given by Ministry of Magic regarding the > return of Lord Voldemort > -Insufficient action taken by Ministry of Magic to fight Lord > Voldemort > -Inadequate Ministry of Magic resources devoted to the protection of > the wizarding community > -Over-reaction of the Ministry of Magic to the return of Lord > Voldemort, which is the best thing that has happened to the > wizarding community in many years > > Anne: Insufficient action taken I struggled between the first and the second, and eventually went with the second (insufficient information). It seemed to me that the wizarding world was more upset that the information was withheld than that the MoM wasn't doing anything about Voldemort. And presumably the MoM would have needed to provide the information about Voldemort's return prior to being able to take action (since one of their key actions once they finally admitted Voldemort's return was to implement a wizarding world awareness campaign). But I really thought either answer would work. > 9. According to a recent article in the Daily Prophet, which subject > at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been complained > about by parents more than any other (over 100 year period)? > > -Care of Magical Creatures > -Defense Against the Dark Arts > -History of Magic > -Muggle Studies > > Anne: DADA I chose CoMC given the potential for damage to life and limb (skrewts, anyone?), but I could see how all of the other ones would work (DADA for being dangerous; History of Magic for being a waste of time; pure-bloods not liking Muggle Studies on principle). > 10. What percentage of wizards and witches believe that Weather- > Modifying Charms should be regulated due to their effect upon the > environment? (Figures collected by Committee for Experimental Charms) > - 3% > - 33% > - 53% > - 93% > > Anne: 3% Me, too. For the same reason (most people just don't really care about such things). > 11. Which health scare at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies > and Injuries has recently caused widespread panic? (Source: St. > Mungo's Admissions Department) > > -Suspected brain damage due to Imperius Curse > -Suspected death due to Thestral sightings > -Spate of suspected werewolf bits > -Uncontrollable bleeding due to 'Nosebleed Nougat' > > Anne: Werewolf bites Me, too. I thought of Greyback. > 12. What change would 18% of wizards like to see to the requirements > for membership of the Wizengamot? (Source: Ministry of Magic poll) > > -Average age lowered from 87 > -Proof of pure-blood status > -Maximum of three years in post > -Goblin representation > > Anne: Goblin representation I choose proof of pure-blood status. That seemed to go well with the small percentage. > Part Three > Magical Objects > (15/100) > > 13. Assuming that you already have a wand, which THREE of the > following would you consider indispensable in case of trouble? > > -Anti-Muggle doorknob > -Broomstick > -Cauldron > -Crystal ball > -Extendable Ears > -Floo Powder > -Foe Glass > -Hand of Glory > -Invisibility Cloak > -Lunascope > -Omnioculars > -Parchment > -Pensieve > -Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder > -Potion-making kit > -Quick-Quotes Quill > -Remembrall > -Revealer > -Scales > -Secrecy Sensor > -Sneakoscope > -Telescope > -Time-Turner > -Two-way mirror > -Wizard's wireless > > Anne: Broom, invisibility cloak, time-turner This one was hard, because if only one of your three choices was wrong, presumably you got the entire question wrong, and this was a *long* list from which to choose. I chose the cloak at once, also, and then figured I'd choose the ones that would let me escape (broomstick and floo powder). > Part Four > Muggle Studies > (25/100) > > 14. Which of the following is the ONLY magical invention whose > effect has not yet been duplicated FULLY by Muggle ingenuity? > > -Flying broomstick > -Mrs. Skower's All-Purpose Magical Mess Remover > -Omnioculars > -"reparo" > -Self-ironing robes > > Anne: Reparo* I choose "self-ironing robes," for while we have no-iron clothes, we don't have clothes that, when wrinkled, can iron themselves (although I sure wish we did!). > 15. Which of the following is the ONLY Muggle invention whose > effects cannot be duplicated FULLY by magic? > > -Aeroplane > -Car > -Computer > -Telephone > -Television > > Anne: Computer Me, too, although it was a tough choice between computer and television. > 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, > but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research > from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? > > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are more likely to produce Squib > children than those who have one or more wizarding parents. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor > somewhere in their family tree, though s/he may be generations back. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally less prone to certain > magical ilnesses than those who have one or more wizarding parent. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of > magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents. > -Muggleborn witches/wizards have great natural rhythm. > > Anne: Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard > ancestor somewhere in their family tree I thought this one was nearly impossible. I guessed "Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents" without having any basis for doing so other than none of the other choices seemed to be any better. I guess I thought that it made some sense to think that a child in a wizarding family might be encouraged to do magic earlier in childhood than a child in a Muggle family. > 17. Which of the following statements is FALSE? (According to the > latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) > > -It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic if they > have access to a wand and a book of spells. > -It is possible for a Muggle to inadvertently stumble upon magically > protected areas such as Diagon Alley and St. Mungo's Hospital for > Magical Maladies and Injuries. > -It is possible for a Muggle to see and correctly identify magical > creatures. > -It is possible for a Muggle to see and yet deny the existence of > magical creatures, even without magical intervention. > -It is possible for a Muggle to believe in impossibilities. > > Anne: It is possible for a Muggle to produce elementary magic Me, too. JKR actually answered this one in NYC in August. > 18. Muggle are: > > -Ignorant > -In danger > -Inferior to wizards > -Insensitive to their surroundings > -Interesting > -Irritating facts of life > > Anne: Insensitive to their surroundings Me, too. I recalled Stan Shunpike's assertion about Muggles not noticing the Night Bus: "don't see nuffin', do they? don't notice nuffin'." ~Phyllis thanking Anne for starting a great discussion! From judy at judyserenity.yahoo.invalid Sat Oct 7 17:37:38 2006 From: judy at judyserenity.yahoo.invalid (Judy) Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 17:37:38 -0000 Subject: WOMBATS Part Deux: Muggleborns Message-ID: I sent this in via email last night, and it hasn't shown up. So, I'm posting it again -- which probably means that the email version will show up any minute now, in duplicate. I haven't taken the WOMBAT test, but I wanted to comment on the following question: 16. The following beliefs are widely held in the wizarding world, but only ONE is actually TRUE. (According to the latest research from the Institute of Muggle Studies) Which is it? Choice #1 -Muggleborn witches/wizards are more likely to produce Squib children than those who have one or more wizarding parents. Choice #2 -Muggleborn witches/wizards usually have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree, though s/he may be generations back. Choice #3 -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally less prone to certain magical ilnesses than those who have one or more wizarding parent. Choice #4 -Muggleborn witches/wizards are generally slower to show signs of magic in childhood than those who have one or more wizarding parents. Choice #5 -Muggleborn witches/wizards have great natural rhythm. In order for a Muggleborn witch or wizard to have a witch or wizard ancestor somewhere in their family tree, the Muggleborn witch or wizard would also have to have a Squib in their family tree. The only way to have two Muggle parents, if you have a magical ancestor, would be for magic to have dropped out of your family tree at some point. This would require that a magical ancestor produced a non- magical child ? that is, a Squib. (Actually, JKR never clearly says if a non-magical person born to only ONE magical parent is considered a Squib, but she does imply that people with one magical parent are almost always magical themselves, so I suspect that non-magical people with one magical parent would, in fact, be thought of as Squibs.) We know that Squibs are ordinarily quite rare, according to Ron in Book 2, which suggests that for Muggleborns to have a Squib ancestor, Squibs would need to be more common in lineages producing both Squibs and magic users than they are in regular wizarding families. So, it seems to me unlikely that Choice #2 can be true, unless Choice #1 is also true. But since only one choice can be correct, they can't both be true, which would eliminate Choice #2. I would go with Choice #3. JKR has said that magical powers are genetic. In that case, muggleborns presumably are magical because they have a spontaneous mutation in the gene that causes magical powers, and the rest of their genes would be typical of muggles. Since muggleborns don't come from magical families, they would be less likely to have the genetic illnesses that tend to run in wizarding families. On the other hand, purebloods, being rather inbred, would quite likely to have magical illnesses caused by recessive genes (that is, illnesses that are caused by having two copies of a defective gene, with one copy inherited from each parent.) I agree with David that JKR wants us to examine these beliefs for evidence of anti-muggle bias. The question never actually says this, but the fact that Choice #5 is clearly a parody of racial stereotypes in the real world makes me think that this question is "really" about anti-muggle racism. Choices 1, 2, and 3 all sound like rationalizations which a pure-blood fanatic would use to feel better about the existence of muggleborns. Choice #1 implies that the magic of muggleborns is a fluke which will soon go away in subsequent generations, removing the muggleborns' descendents from the wizarding world. Choice #2 suggests that muggleborns aren't REALLY born to all-muggle families, that only magical blood can give rise to magical children. Choice #4 suggests that muggleborns are less magical that those with non-magical parentage, which is definitely not true in the case of Hermione or Lily. Choice #3 is the only one that says muggleborns are, in a sense, superior to half- bloods and pure-bloods, so the wizarding world would have to believe it DESPITE the fact that it doesn't agree with their chauvinistic attitudes. The only way this would happen, I believe, is if it were true. -- Judy, who notes that JKR has told us at least twice that werewolves' snouts differ from that of true wolves, but doesn't think JKR ever said which has a shorter snout. From judy at judyserenity.yahoo.invalid Sat Oct 7 17:42:54 2006 From: judy at judyserenity.yahoo.invalid (Judy) Date: Sat, 07 Oct 2006 17:42:54 -0000 Subject: Do we know when Book 7 comes out? Message-ID: The Yahoo Groups homepage generally features a few specific Yahoo groups. Right now, HPfGU is one of four groups being featured. (I pity the current HPfGU elves, handling the influx of new members!) The "blurb" for HPfGU says, "Harry Potter: The last book is released next summer." Um, *has* JKR said that Book 7 will be out next summer? If she has, I managed to miss it. I'm hoping that JKR will take a long time on Book 7, so we can keep speculating for as long as possible -- Judy, who expects to feel a void in her life once the series is finished From kelley_thompson at kelleyscorpio.yahoo.invalid Mon Oct 9 03:07:52 2006 From: kelley_thompson at kelleyscorpio.yahoo.invalid (Kelley Thompson) Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 22:07:52 -0500 Subject: Do we know when Book 7 comes out? References: Message-ID: <05c301c6eb50$1c73f3f0$4001a8c0@OEMNDSUU8LDS8I> Judy: >> The Yahoo Groups homepage generally features a few specific Yahoo groups. Right now, HPfGU is one of four groups being featured. (I pity the current HPfGU elves, handling the influx of new members!) << Hey, Judy. Yeah, we're having *lots* of fun with that. ;-) Judy: >> The "blurb" for HPfGU says, "Harry Potter: The last book is released next summer." Um, *has* JKR said that Book 7 will be out next summer? If she has, I managed to miss it. << Heh, no. There aren't even rumors of a date, far as I've heard. Maybe the folks at Yahoo have info we don't (nah). I'm sort of wondering if they read the FAQs, and sort of got the wrong idea from the first one... Oh, well. --Kelley From talisman22457 at talisman22457.yahoo.invalid Tue Oct 10 14:08:29 2006 From: talisman22457 at talisman22457.yahoo.invalid (Talisman) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:08:29 -0000 Subject: O O O It's Magic (More Wombat Love) Message-ID: Greetings Once again we are left to prod the bloody entrails of exam results, hoping some patterns congeal, so that we can conjure our clues from the stinking carnage. But, as we will see, the mysteries of Ms Rowling's "quite complicated" marking system, run deep. I took the exam twice (toggling 4.3 answers) and got Outstanding both times. This was a bit of a hoot, as I considered some of my second choice answers to be "clearly wrong." So, like others, I sought clarity in comparison. Between responses on TOL and here, I felt I was coming to some consensus just needed a *little* more input to clear up some close calls Bam. Anne gave me 5 sets of "O" answers from the Leaky that blew everything out of the cauldron. Here then, for your edification and bewilderment, are the results of my tabulations. All of these, mind you, represent putative "O" answers. (Best if you have a hard copy of the exam, to play along at home.) 1. A=7; B=4 2. A=1; B=6; C=1; D=1; E=2 3. A=1; C=5; E=5 4. A=1; D=10 5. B=2; C=9 6. B=2; C=3; D=2; E=4 7. A=2; B=5; C=4 8. A=2; B=8; C=1 9. A=5; B=5; D=1 10. A=3; B=1; C=7 11. C=11 12. A=1; B=9; D=1 13. B=7; F=2; G=3; H=3, I=8; M=1; N=2; O=3; W=2; X=1, ?=1 14. C=1; D=8; E=2 15. C=7; E=4 16. B=6; C=5 17. A=10; B=1 18. B=5; D=5; E=1 I don't know about you., but I find this all very troubling. Sure there is one consensus, and a number of clear majorities. But there are still too many close calls. And some of these were going a different way before I got the Leaky five, three of which come from the same family, where people were sharing ideas. `Course my two come from the same head. Moreover, even if weighted credit were given for all answers, it's hard to believe that someone could miss so many best answers and still get the O. Yet it seems that some or the other of us did. That, or we are dealing with tampered memories. Pas moi, I wrote them down as I went. So, I guess we just need more O data. Not to slight anyone else, but I don't think I can handle the variations where even more answers are in error. If enough O's start agreeing, I'll be happy to toss out anomalies as likely products of a Confundus Charm. (No darling, Outstanding doesn't start with a "T.") On a popularity basis, here's how matters stand at present: 1. A. Hags eat children, small or otherwise (picked 7 times out of 11). Bathilda Bagshot says so. (FB xi) 2. B. Freshwater merpeople are NOT less warlike than salt (6 times out of 11). Ask the giant squid. 3. Tied between Inferi and WW (5 each). My money's on Inferi. 4. D. Poltergeists have never died, never will (10 of 11). For once, tradition and Rowling concur. 5. C. Goblins want their wands, pal. Nine of 11 O's agree. 6. One scrambled mess with E having a slight edge (4). Come on. You know they do. 7. B. House-elf house allegiance wins with a scant 5. Guess Elladora had some premature axe-ulations. 8. B. The wizard on the street wants more action (8 of 11). Don't we all. HP variety, of course. 9. Tied up 5 to 5, with those parents bitching about DADA and CoMC. Let's ask Prof. Kettleburn. 10. C. 53% of the wizards who were buttoned-holed agreed to regulation (7 of 11). 11. C. Lots of excitement over WW bites. 11 of 11 agree. Tonks says they kinda tickle. 12. B. 18% of the WW wants to keep the Wizengamot tujours pur (9 of 11). 13. Partial credit dilutes majority significance, IMO. FWIW, I (8) and B(7) score high. I'll take the IC, but decline the (broom) shaft. 14. D. It's reparo, baby. Not even superglue comes close; 8 of 11 know it. 15. C. Wouldn't it be nice if Hermione could just Google "Prince?" Nothing like computers (7). 16. At 6 (B) and 5 (C), it's too close to call. Is there a Wizard in your tree? Or can you laugh at Dragon Pox? I'll take C. 17.A. After 6 books and innumerable interviews, 10 of 11 figured out that Muggles can't do Magic. 18. Tied up at 5 and 5, those Insensitive (D) Muggles are in Danger (B). A few more personal observations: 1. There is solid canon for hags eating children. Conversely, there is abundant reason to infer that Inferi can be programmed to do any number of things, including certainly--in a world where so many normally inanimate objects can --speak. The creepy co-opted cadaver of someone we know could show up for a chat in Book 7! ::evil frissions of delight:: Zombie-Lily drags one foot as she gropes toward our hero: "Harry...you have my eyes...give them back." 2. I welcomed the Merpeople answer as it finally gave an authorial explanation for the difference between the picture of the snoozing blonde in the Prefect's bathroom, and those delightful green-haired lunatics in the lake. And, it's specifically because we have a basis for finding it false that I chose the Merpeople answer. For the rest , we either had reason to find the statement true, or no acceptable evidence at all. The ghost business was tricky. Liquid was obvious but gas might have been a trap...until I recalled that Sir Patrick's severed head toots a horn in CoS. In a game of inference, that's close enough for me. There's no evidence for the rest, so the following Question 2 comments are pure drivel. We know WW snouts are distinguishable. It seems reasonable that they should be, proportionally, shorter than that of a real wolf. 1) They start out from a comparatively flat human face; and 2) real wolves have pretty long snouts, already. WWs would look a bit like anteaters if they had noticeably longer ones, eh? No male Veela? Well, from a metaphorical stand point...there's plenty of monstrous pretty-boys out there...but, as women generally don't fall for looks alone...seems right to me. Now that we know that Hags only have four toes, all I can say is: you might want to check under the footwear before you take her home. Just to be sure. 3. The answer is Inferi. The MoM employed Dementors, hags can be found in pubs (see warning, above), we've seen vampires at holiday parties, and werewolves have a liaison office. Process of elimination, alone, gets you to Inferi. Add in the MoM pamphlet warnings, Snape's poster of what they do to you (a bloody smudge), and the fact that the best DD could do was hold them at bay (hard to use all that fire in your house or public areas), I'm willing to believe the MoM considers them most dangerous. 6. Ah, the giants. I believe that answers a, b, and c are all negated by reasonable inference from canon. Answers a and b are nixed by the fact that both Gurgs represented are male and of the largest of their kind. Answer c is negated by Olympe's use of the Conjunctivitis Curse, when she and Hagrid were trying to escape hostile giants. The Conjunctivitus Curse itself goes specifically to quality of eyesight. If a wizard who is capable enough to be Headmistress of one of the three largest schools in the WW uses a spell tailored to impair eyesight, the clear inference is that the eyesight was good to begin with, not "very poor compared to humans." That leaves nocturnal or cannibals. When Hagrid and Olympe reach the giant's reservation, it is already night. They decide to watch and wait until morning. It is noted that the giants don't fall asleep until about 3AM, at which point they pass out where they sit. While we don't know the exact date or location of this experience, 3AM is the lion's share of the night in most locales. I'll bet they aren't in a hurry to get up in the morning, either. Grawp was certainly snoozing when Harry and Hermione went to meet him, in the middle of the day. I'm prepared to say that giants are up "most of the night and some of the day," and that "nocturnal" isn't a bad answer. However, I think the even better answer is cannibals. Heck, in desperate situations--such as confinement in close territory with limited resources--humans have demonstrated a ready ability to enjoy a same species repast or two. The giants are trapped in a small area, and I'll bet 80 (plus or minus) giants go through a lot of goats at one sitting. The "mean" Gurg was wearing a necklace that included what appeared to be human bones. Now, it may not be considered cannibalism for giants to eat humans (though they interbreed, as evidenced by both Hagrid and Olympe), but it's pretty close. Giants don't seem to have any moral qualms about killing each other, or tearing each other into handy bite-sized pieces. I find it hard to believe they would let a good meaty haunch go to waste in preference of a few goat snacks (if available), especially if they have no problem eating other humaniod beings. Yep. I'm betting many of `em are willing to eat each other. Naughty me. Wonder what Grawp's into. 7. Here I remain somewhat ambivalent. I toggled between the life expectancy and allegiance answers, and as the other O's did the same, it's hard to draw any conclusive patterns. My reasoning is the same, or similar to what has already been said. Elladora's program was started less than 200 years ago and has netted, not just one, but a row of heads. The Inference is that you can go through a lot of elves in less than 200 years. However... A House-elf's foremost allegiance is clearly to the bloodline of the family it is attached to. If Barty Sr. had gone off to a sanatorium in Switzerland, and summoned Winky back to his side, she would have gone in a gleeful twinkling--no tears wasted on Chez Crouch. I notice that a lot of folks talk about how Kreature was left to Harry, along with GP. That speaks of ownership, and the need to obey, but it doesn't reach Kreature's feelings in the matter. Kreature would clearly prefer to work for Bella. He continues to express his preference for Draco (House of Black) even though Harry now owns GP (house as structure). In the hierarchy of things, it's clear that an elf feels greater loyalty to the estate (and chattels) of it's long time family-- snogging old britches, and all--than to any mere "inhabitants" who, as we see when the Order takes over GP, may not have anything to do with the bloodline, at all. As a relative statement, or in the unlikely event that "it's house" was meant to differ from "the house" (bloodline vs. structure) the statement will pass as true and we can clearly select the 200 year lifespan as the correct (False) answer. Otherwise it's false. House elf's loyalty is to the family, not the structure or it's inhabitants du jure. It's probably false, and therefore, the correct answer. The Black family elves just weren't good at carrying tea trays. 10. Not so much about the selection process, which was idiosyncratic (weather generally not modified, blah blah, blah), but what the topic brought back to mind. I have always thought that DD modified the weather on at least 2 occasions (on page). The first is in Book 1 where the weather man earnestly promises rain the night Harry is left at the Dursleys, but none comes. The second is where the Advanced Guard comes for Harry. There has been a drought all summer, but the guard and Harry are drenched as they fly through the cloud cover overhead. In both cases DD is concerned with high level security and I think there is a direct connection. Is she nudging us to consider weather modification spells as a topic beyond the exam? Hmmm. As for the poll, I went with 53%, and still don't care. 13. You already have your wand (take the hint, you're magic). I reject any consideration of what the average wizard has on hand. As the questions stands, all options are at my disposal. The Invisibility Cloak seems to be the no-brainer. For travel, personally, I'm going to pack light and Apparate. I don't fear running into anti-apparation jinxes at every turn, and I don't want to fuss with carrying a broom stick while I'm slinking about in my IC or running, dodging, and shooting curses. Let's face it, even if the DEs had taken brooms to the MoM, strapped them to their backs while fighting, and then managed to get them between their legs after DD arrived in the Death Chamber, they would only have been able to ride as far as the elevator, after which point they would have been better off Apparating instead of pushing the button for an exit floor. All other forms of travel, Floo Powder included (not only do you need a fireplace, but you have to shout about where you're going), deteriorate from there. If I've already got the IC, I have far less use for the inherently limited Peruvian Darkness Powder, selection of which would also mandate that I take the Hand of Glory as my final item, in order to find my own way around in it. (Unless I just want to throw it through the window of a DE hideout and run away laughing.) Skip that. It's already been noted that you can clout a foe in the head with just about anything, including a cauldron, crystal ball, or good brass scales. IMO they should all get you zero to negative points for choosing--out of all this bounty--to tote such things into battle. Ditto Anti-Muggle doorknobs, Lunascopes, Omnioculars (hey who hit me?), Quick-Quotes Quills, Rememberalls, Parchment, Wireless, and Telescopes. Extendable Ears, Hand of Glory, Pensieves, Potion-making kits, and Revealers have limited use in limited "trouble" situations--maybe they would get "some" credit. Not much. Foe-glass? Nah, I'd have to get a big one. Plus, Barty Jr.'s only worked after DD, Snape, and McG had already kicked in the door. I'm willing to take it on faith that anyone who smashes down my door is a foe. Hagrid excepted. Secrecy-Sensors and Sneakoscopes probably could get "some" credit-- but they go off for all sorts of goofy reasons, and who cares if they are squealing like mad whilst you battle the Dark Lord? Come to think of it, if you're hidden, they could give you away. Glad I didn't pack any. In addition to the IC, I took: The Two-way mirror--because a handy, secure source of communication with relevant allies--or loved ones you are trying to protect--is always good. The Time-Turner, because it kicks ass, definitely has been demonstrated to change outcomes, and it's uses are only limited by one's imagination. 16. I believe that Muggle-born witches are less susceptible to magical illnesses. Moreover, I do not believe that being so impugns their magical ability in any wise, as we know they are often "some of the best" (Hr/Lily). Rowling's definition of a squib is: "a non-magical person born to at least one magical parent." No exception is made to infer that this happens (rare as it is) more often to Muggle-born witches or wizards. Indeed her detailed discussion of how they lead marginal lives, being in the WW but unable to participate, strongly suggests they usually don't have family in the Muggle world (as has been noted). Squibs, Rowling says, are "almost the opposite" of Muggle-born wizards. Q: "How does a Muggle-born like Hermione develop magical abilities?" JKR: "Nobody knows where magic comes from. *Sometimes* it *seems* to be inherited, but others are the only ones in their family who have the ability." (Barnes & Noble 3/19/99, my emphasis) *Sometimes* doesn't sound like *usually* to me. Hermione is our best example of a Muggle-born witch, and she's unlikely to have been slow to show magical ability. Ditto Lily. Natural rhythm yeah, like your average dentist. My thinking is that unblended magical genes are likely more vulnerable to magical diseases. I'll bet it IS harder for Hermione to catch Dragon Pox. That about wraps me up for WOMBATS II, unless there are other scores that can shed light on the remaining ambiguities. Talisman PS: Perhaps question 13 was another way for Rowling to highlight how useful an IC really is, thus raising the critical matter of the Potter garment, yet again. I haven't been reading HPfGUs much, but last I looked no one was saying what I think is obvious: James left the IC with DD, for Harry, because James knew he was going to die (and Harry wasn't) in the conflict at GH. In distant past, I've written extensively of how Lily's behavior indicates she knew what was going to happen, and what her role in matters required. Shall we add James to the list? All part of DD's plan, m'dears. From catlady at catlady_de_los_angeles.yahoo.invalid Sat Oct 14 16:12:32 2006 From: catlady at catlady_de_los_angeles.yahoo.invalid (Catlady (Rita Prince Winston)) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 16:12:32 -0000 Subject: WOMBAT II Message-ID: My computer got Very Sick a week ago Thursday. This is the second weekend in a row that it's still in the shop. As I saved my test ID in a .txt on the computer, I can't check my grade. Having read the comments here, it's probably a low grade. For example, am I the only person in all of fandom who chose Nosebleed Nougats as the latest health panic?