Scope and Contents Thomson discusses the limitations of intelligence testing, and its positive qualities, citing its objectivity and scientific basis. He outlines the processes involved in trialling the tests to establish their suitability and reliability, describing how the final order and content of the paper is decided; the difficulties involved in obtaining a representative sample of children; the need to incentivise children to do their best in the trial test, and the process of standardisation...

Scope and Contents Thomson begins by emphasising the vital role that school education plays in civilised society. He takes the title of his talk from the H G Wells novel, to which he makes reference. The food of the gods he alludes to is both science and art, and he stresses the importance of both to a balanced civilisation where the two are united by the mastery of language.Thomson praises the school for the opportunities it provides for its pupils and the benefits in...