On the day after the scheduled exam date, they were all confident they had mastered the course material, and they returned back to school. When they had returned the car, the four walked over to their chemistry professor's office in Mallinckrodt Hall. They found him at his desk, grading exams.

"Sir," said their spokesman, "we have a terrible calamity to relate to you. The four of us spent the last week in a special organic chemistry research center out of town, studying day and night for you course. Our labors were enhanced, of course, by the unique organic chemistry resources the center features, which offered us a rare and enriching supplementary perspective to the stimulating course work you had to other.

"But on the day we left the center to return for our exam, our car ran over an enormous nail on the highway, which ripped right through one of the tires. There was no spare in the car, and no repairman was available until the next day. We were in a remote area, and there was no other choice for us but to spend the night in a nearby motel. Only today was the tire repaired, and so we are a day late for your final."

The spokesman shook her head. "Here are the rent-a-car and hotel receipts, to prove the truth of our story." she added sadly.

The chemistry professor smiled. "Why should I doubt your story?" he said. "Come with me, and I'll give you the exam right now."

The four roommates exchanged glances of triumph and followed the professor into a nearby classroom the professor showed them each to a seat in a different corner of the room.

"Now." he said "Because you are obviously taking this exam under unusually stressful circumstances. I will be giving you only one question to answer that ought to surface." He took out four piece of paper and scribbled something on each one. The roommates smiled happily at each other as the professor walked from corner to corner, distributing the papers face down.

"All right," he said at last "You may start the exam." The four roommates turned over the pages Each one bore the same two words: "WHICH TIRE?"

* * *

A student in a European History course stopped going to class after the first lecture, never attended section, and never so much as skimmed through any of the 14 required textbooks. On the day of the final, he walked into the exam-room, realized that the ensuring three hours were bound to be little better than a wretched farce, and decided to adopt the noblest course of action he could.

Bravely, he marched up to the proctor, cleared his throat, and said, "I am woefully underprepared for this exam. It will be an insult for me, you, and my professor for me to take this test. Please mark me down for an F, and I will not subject myself to this painful travesty.

The proctor told the students not to despair the professor had left specific instructions that any member of the class who felt incompetent to take the exam should go right away to his office. So the student left the room and walked over to Robinson Hall the professor greeted him warmly and bid him sit-down. What seems to be the problem," he asked in a king voice.

"I'm afraid sir, I'm just not prepared for your exam today said the student.

"Well now, "said the professor "I know a lot of bright history students who just have a mental block against writing blue book essays in a high pressure exam situation. Suppose you sit right there and I'll give you an oral exam instead we'll just have a released conservation about the course."

The student nodded Now then, "began the professor" What would you say were the leading economic factors in Germany and Italy at the turn of the 18th century."