A READ AND DO TEST
Objective: To show, in a humorous way, that people often fail to
read and/or follow directions.
Procedure: Distribute a copy of the “Read and Do” test to each
participant. Ask them to keep the test face down until
everyone has a copy. Explain this is a timed test with a
maximum time of 3 minutes allowed to complete the task.
Offer no further instructions of any kind. Then state
“OK? Ready, set, go!”
Materials Required: One copy of the Read and Do test per participant
Time Required: 5 minutes
A Read and Do Test
Time Limit: 3 minutes
CAN YOU FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS?
1. Read all that follows before doing anything.
2. Write your name in the upper right-hand-corner of this page.
3. Circle the word “corner” in sentence two.
4. Draw five small squares in the upper left-hand-corner of this page.
5. Put an “X” on each square.
6. Put a circle around each square.
7. Sign your name under line 5.
8. After your name, write “yes, yes, yes.”
9. Put a circle around number 7.
10. Put an :X: in the lower left-hand-corner of this page.
11. Draw a triangle around the “X” you just made.
12. Call out your first name when you get to this point in the test.
13. If you think that you have followed directions carefully to this point, call
out, “I have!”
14. On the reverse side of this paper, add 6950 and 9805.
15. Put a circle around your answer.
16. Count out loud, in your normal speaking voice, from 10 to 1.
17. Put three small pin or pencil holes in the top of this page.
18. If you are the first person to get this far, yell out, “I am the first person to
get to this spot and I am the leader in following directions.”
19. Say out loud, “I am nearly finished. I have followed directions.”
20. Now that you have finished reading carefully, do only those things called for
in the sentences numbered 1 and 2. Did you read
everything on this page before doing anything?
NOTE: PLEASE BE QUIET AND WATCH THE OTHERS “FOLLOW
DIRECTIONS.”