UK - GCSE quiz backfires on Balls as he makes 'schoolboy error' trying to outwit Tory shadow
GCSE quiz backfires on Balls as he makes 'schoolboy error' trying to outwit Tory shadow
By Laura Clark
Last updated at 8:37 AM on 20th November 2009
It was Ed Balls' attempt at revenge for a series of attacks on exam standards.
In the Commons yesterday, the Children's Secretary tried to fox his Tory shadow with GCSE science and maths questions.
But Mr Balls may be regretting not doing more homework after reading a 'schoolboy' error into one of the questions.
Goading Tory education spokesman Michael Gove, he asked: 'Explain how a fluoride atom can change into a fluoride ion. You're well known as an erudite and intelligent man. What's the answer?'
But scientists said the formulation 'fluoride atom' was wrong, and the GCSE paper from which the question was drawn states 'fluorine atom'.
Dr Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said there was 'no such thing' as fluoride on its own, explaining: 'There is hydrogen fluoride, for example, but you wouldn't say a fluoride atom.
'You would use fluoride when it's in a compound or when referring to ions. A fluorine atom can become a fluoride ion.'
If Mr Balls' question is asked correctly, the answer is 'By gaining an electron'.
Mr Gove eventually answered correctly, but repeated Mr Balls' error.
Accusing Mr Gove of trying to 'run down' the achievements of youngsters, Mr Balls asked him: 'First question - name the type of enzyme that digests stains containing fats. Sounds quite difficult to me, do you have an answer?'
He then went on to challenge Mr Gove with a question from a maths exam, asking: 'Work out three and three quarters minus one and two fifths.' The answers are 'lipase' and '2.35'.
The clashes came as a report by the new exams watchdog lent weight to Mr Gove's attacks, finding that the OCR and Edexcel exam boards are still too lenient in grading GCSE science.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229438/GCSE-quiz-backfires-Balls-makes-schoolboy-error-tried-outwit-Tory-shadow.html#ixzz0XO8vRRQG
By Laura Clark
Last updated at 8:37 AM on 20th November 2009
It was Ed Balls' attempt at revenge for a series of attacks on exam standards.
In the Commons yesterday, the Children's Secretary tried to fox his Tory shadow with GCSE science and maths questions.
But Mr Balls may be regretting not doing more homework after reading a 'schoolboy' error into one of the questions.
Goading Tory education spokesman Michael Gove, he asked: 'Explain how a fluoride atom can change into a fluoride ion. You're well known as an erudite and intelligent man. What's the answer?'
But scientists said the formulation 'fluoride atom' was wrong, and the GCSE paper from which the question was drawn states 'fluorine atom'.
Dr Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said there was 'no such thing' as fluoride on its own, explaining: 'There is hydrogen fluoride, for example, but you wouldn't say a fluoride atom.
'You would use fluoride when it's in a compound or when referring to ions. A fluorine atom can become a fluoride ion.'
If Mr Balls' question is asked correctly, the answer is 'By gaining an electron'.
Mr Gove eventually answered correctly, but repeated Mr Balls' error.
Accusing Mr Gove of trying to 'run down' the achievements of youngsters, Mr Balls asked him: 'First question - name the type of enzyme that digests stains containing fats. Sounds quite difficult to me, do you have an answer?'
He then went on to challenge Mr Gove with a question from a maths exam, asking: 'Work out three and three quarters minus one and two fifths.' The answers are 'lipase' and '2.35'.
The clashes came as a report by the new exams watchdog lent weight to Mr Gove's attacks, finding that the OCR and Edexcel exam boards are still too lenient in grading GCSE science.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1229438/GCSE-quiz-backfires-Balls-makes-schoolboy-error-tried-outwit-Tory-shadow.html#ixzz0XO8vRRQG
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