Morality Test
Posted by: Josef EssbergerThis test only has one question, but it’s a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision.
Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous.
Please scroll down slowly and give due consideration to each line.
THE SITUATION
You are in England, York to be precise.
There is chaos all around you caused by a hurricane with severe flooding.
This is a flood of biblical proportions.
You are a photo-journalist working for a major newspaper, and you’re caught in the middle of this epic disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless.
You’re trying to shoot career-making photos.
There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing into the water.
Nature is unleashing all its destructive fury.
THE TEST
Suddenly, you see a man in the water.
He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris.
You move closer… Somehow, the man looks familiar…
You suddenly realize who it is… It’s Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of the UK! You notice that the raging waters are about to take him under forever. You have two options:
You can save the life of Gordon Brown or you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, documenting the death of one of the country’s most powerful men!
THE QUESTION
Here’s the question, and please give an honest answer…
Would you select high contrast colour film, or would you go with the classic simplicity of black and white?
Posted by Josef Essberger June 2008
Contributor: Josef Essberger, founder of EnglishClub. Originally from London, England, Josef is the author of several books for learners of English including English Prepositions List and Learn English in 7.
31 comments
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Marie-Danielle says:
I immediately save the man.
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widmaier says:
even if this decision will be in contracdiction with my jod’s to give scoop and real news,i will save him.
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Blanca says:
Of course I would have saved him.I wouldn”t hesitate .
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Kinom says:
Save him the prize you will get will be amazing it’s the prime minister early retirement here I come
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idk says:
i would obv save him cuz then there would be a pretty good chance to gain a reward ;)
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Melody says:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEE EEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEE EEEEEEEE EEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEE EEEEEE EEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEE EEEE EEEEE
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yelena says:
I can’t swim. Have been afraid of deep waters all my life. So …
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Prasad says:
I think Black and white photo is much better in this case. Somehow Black and White pictures can show the pain better then color pictures. Maybe the colors in color photo takes the pain away.
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hong t nhan, vietnam says:
I would chose black and white to shoot. British Parliament would chose another Prime Minister. I do my own duty first. The celebrity is always the sensational subject of media. I would hit the press! Bingo!
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chetan says:
well i will hold his hand with mine and with the other i will take an high contrast colour photo showing i was helping the prime minister.if i can save him thats generous and good and if i m noy able to then in next pic the classic black n white i will click him drowning…:) :) but can there be floods in york that is another question n brown wuld certainly be in london in his bronx
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Osnat says:
Within the narrow terms of the question: black and white. SO much classier.
Within everything else: Depends which party would take power if I didn’t save Gordon Brown. -
Serkan says:
a simple answer, there is one think have to do. save his life and be a hero :D i think that will increase morality :)
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Shirin says:
I would go with the classic simplicity of black and white.
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Faeizah says:
I will save him of coz..
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abdulahi says:
Here in Nairobi it is always hard to enjoy live. When it is runny you can’t walk because it is mood and rough . While it is sunny you can’t come out side of your shelter because it hot and dry . Therefore i don’t know how i express the wheter in Nairobi… there is no clean envoremnent here home so help me make good . What should i do ? how can i change the situation ?
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abdulahi says:
I am trying to became a good student and i cant so who can help me and gave me a good advice.
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abdulahi says:
I am very glad today because it is my birthday and mr obama became the first African American.
furthermore he is from my content special my own country which is Kenya .
So Africa be happy and enjoy have great season. -
princess says:
I will select high contrast colour film.
I will shoot a dramatic Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, documenting the death of one of the country’s most powerful men!I will not save his life even i will kick him in the water.
HAHAHA!!! -
trantrungkien says:
Could I creat my own topic ???
Please answer me, ok ? -
Ada says:
to be frank, i will try my best to save his life even i am not a good swimmer myself. It is not because he is the prime minister that i save his life but because we are living being.
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kiki says:
well “there is something related with the value “i mean “whether i can swim or not “honestly,i won’t jump into the water and pick him up “for i am not good at swimming`
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manoj kumar says:
i would like classic simplicity of black and white film.
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Corsi says:
The simplicity of black and white of course.
Once I saved a politic of being drowned in a swimming pool.
What did I do?
Just took off my foot over his head! -
Jannie van Middendorp says:
I now that I should try to rescue him , when I could because it’s a human being.
Then the photo’s aren’t important do you think? -
bashir says:
When doctors disagree in crucial manner, Nurses must keep silent! any way Happy bithday English Club, also this day is going to be my wedding Day, so all the best guys!
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hanane says:
Hi
07 07 , English Club’s Birthday. congratulations -
mianabbas says:
It is not a question of Prime Minister or a common man. If I see someone drowning, I must help him. This is my moral duty.
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Gloria Mendoza says:
Now I know who is Gordon Brown but for me is only a human person and I’m completely sure that there is one thing I have to do. To save the life of that man. That’s all. “The classic simplicity of a housewife”
HA !!!!
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Laikha says:
I would choose colour film. NO, I’m just jocking. Of course I’d try to help.
Hi, monse. -
hanane says:
Hullo Dear Sir,
honestly speaking, your example sir urges me to ask you a question: why did you choose an example of a prime minister,since in such a catastrophe all living beings are in need of help? so either you opt for “a high contrast film or for the classic simplicity of black and white” you are the winner i.e.you will be a hero if you save the PM and you will be the target of the media becase of the excisivity of your photes. But here! are you going to save him because you recognised him as being the prime minister or because in such a case he is a man dealing with a matter of death and life? your query about morality and honesty lacks objectivity considering the given example.
My answer sir: i won’t help since he is not the only one there to rescue and i also can be exposed to the same danger as him. -
teacherjoe says:
This is black and white all the way. Classic simplicity indeed! (~_^)