Handshakes, waves and greetings around the world

Tests: 7 of 18 right · Exam: 2 of 4 right · Kind: ★ · Understood: 18 of 22 · Run: 2026-10-18, commit f3c23ea72

Lesson 124 of the everyday course of Mova's primary school, as Mova's small model took its tests: it had read this lesson and the ones before it and learned from their exercises. Each test shows the options in the order the student saw them, its choice, the right answer, the score of every option and why it chose. The lesson itself, sentence by sentence with trees and pragmatics: the lesson in the corpora.

Every question of this lesson and each of its options parsed by Mova, with trees and pragmatics: the lesson's questions in the corpora.

Test 1 · ★ · right ✓

Why is it kinder to wave than to shake hands when you have a cold?

1. Because a wave is always more polite than a handshake, cold or not — no support
2. Germs spread through hands, and waving protects the other person — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 8
3. Because shaking hands is not allowed in winter — score 3
4. Because a cold makes your hands too weak to shake — no support

Why: It took the question to ask why something happens (its cause). It chose option 2 with score 8, against 3 for the next best. Its support: lesson 124, line 10: «If you have a cold, you explain and wave instead of shaking hands, because germs spread through hands.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «germs» (+4); the same action «spread» (+2); the same place «hands» (+2). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 2 · ★ · right ✓

A girl in Melbourne gives a handshake so hard that her uncle winces. What should she change?

1. Shake with both hands at once — no support
2. Stop shaking hands for ever — no support
3. Make her hand completely floppy — no support
4. Grip firmly but not hard — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask what it is done to. It chose option 4 with score 4, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 84, line 6: «A girl in Texas hit her head hard falling off a trampoline and said she was fine; later she was sleepy and sick, and doctors found a concussion.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same doer «girl» (+3); the same property (+2). Against it: a different action (counts against) (-1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 3 · ★ · wrong ✗

A boy in Texas loses the final and feels angry. What shows good sportsmanship?

1. Shaking hands and saying "Good game" anyway — ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Shaking hands but looking away angrily — no support
3. Telling the winners that the referee cheated — no support
4. Refusing to shake hands until he calms down — ← Mova's choice · score 5

Why: It took the question to ask who or what does it. It chose option 4 with score 5, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 57, line 6: «An adult told a boy in England that their touching games had to stay a secret; the boy felt confused and kept quiet for a long time, but when he finally told h…», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: it fills the role the question asks for (+3); the same doer «boy» (+2). The right option, 1, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 4 · ★ · wrong ✗

A visitor in your class does not shake hands and puts a hand on his heart instead. How do you answer?

1. Ask the teacher to make him shake hands — ← Mova's choice · score 7
2. Laugh and copy him to make a joke — no support
3. Smile or nod back, respecting his custom — ✓ the right answer · no support
4. Grab his hand to shake it anyway — no support

Why: It took the question to ask what something is like. It chose option 1 with score 7, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 102, line 17: «If someone reads your diary, tell them it hurt you and ask an adult to help keep it private.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «ask» (+4); the same receiver «adult» (+3). The right option, 3, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 5 · ★ · right ✓

Why might a stranger's wave not be for you?

1. It is often meant for someone behind you — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 5
2. Because only children wave at each other — no support
3. Because waving is only for goodbyes — no support
4. Because strangers never wave — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 5, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 14: «A wave from a stranger may be meant for someone behind you, and you never go over to a stranger.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «mean» (+3); the same thing acted on «wave» (+1); the same circumstance (+1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 6 · ★ · right ✓

Your family visits Japan and a shopkeeper bows as you leave. Which reply fits?

1. A secret handshake — no support
2. A hongi — no support
3. A small bow back — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 6
4. Cheek kisses — no support

Why: It took the question to ask who or what does it. It chose option 3 with score 6, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 16: «Many people in Japan bow to greet and to thank, and a small bow back is polite.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: it fills the role the question asks for (+3); the same doer «small bow» (+2); the same property (+1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 7 · ★ · wrong ✗

An American walking past your classroom says "How's it going?" Why is a short answer right?

1. Because Americans do not like long answers about anything — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. It is a greeting, not a real question — ✓ the right answer · no support
3. Because long answers are only for the phone — no support
4. Because you must never talk to Americans — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 8 · ★ · wrong ✗

Why is it good to learn greetings like "Kia ora" or "What's the craic?"

1. Knowing local customs helps you understand and respect people — ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Because you must use them in every country — ← Mova's choice · score 5
3. Because they are secret passwords — no support
4. Because the English words we use at home are not polite enough there — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 2 with score 5, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 18: «"Kia ora" is a Maori greeting used in New Zealand that means hello and good health.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same thing acted on «maori greeting» (+3); the same action «use» (+2). The right option, 1, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 9 · ★ · wrong ✗

got a cold, coach wants us all to shake hands

1. Shake hands anyway — ← Mova's choice · score 4
2. Hide in the changing room — no support
3. Explain and wave instead — ✓ the right answer · no support
4. Cough into your hand and shake — score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 4, tied with another option at 4 (the first shown, or the one claiming less beyond what it knows, wins). Its support: lesson 124, line 10: «If you have a cold, you explain and wave instead of shaking hands, because germs spread through hands.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «shake» (+3); the same thing acted on «hands» (+1). The right option, 3, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 10 · ★ · wrong ✗

we lost 4-0, do we still shake hands

1. Only shake the referee's hand — ← Mova's choice · score 4
2. No, walk off to show you're upset — no support
3. Yes, shake hands and say good game — ✓ the right answer · score 4
4. No, only winners shake hands — score 3

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 4, tied with another option at 4 (the first shown, or the one claiming less beyond what it knows, wins). Its support: lesson 124, line 10: «If you have a cold, you explain and wave instead of shaking hands, because germs spread through hands.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «shake» (+3); the same thing acted on «hands» (+1). The right option, 3, scored 4. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 11 · ★ · wrong ✗

in NZ someone says kia ora to me, what's that

1. A way of saying goodbye forever when someone is leaving the country — ← Mova's choice · score 3
2. A question about the weather — no support
3. A word for thank you only — no support
4. A Maori greeting meaning hello and good health — ✓ the right answer · score 3

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 3, tied with another option at 3 (the first shown, or the one claiming less beyond what it knows, wins). Its support: lesson 97, line 19: «A funeral is when family and friends come together to say goodbye to someone who has died.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «say» (+3); the same thing acted on «goodbye» (+1). Against it: a different doer (counts against) (-1). The right option, 4, scored 3. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 12 · ★ · right ✓

random lady waved at me across the street, go over?

1. No, it may be meant for someone else; never go to a stranger — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 3
2. Yes, run over and say hi — no support
3. Yes, if she waves twice — no support
4. Cross the road and ask her what she wants, it would be rude not to — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 1 with score 3, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 14: «A wave from a stranger may be meant for someone behind you, and you never go over to a stranger.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same action «mean» (+2); the same circumstance (+2). Against it: a different thing acted on (counts against) (-1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 13 · ★ · wrong ✗

gonna crush his hand when we shake, show who's boss

1. Pull him towards you hard — no support
2. Shake firmly but gently, crushing hurts — ✓ the right answer · no support
3. Squeeze as hard as you can — ← Mova's choice · score 2
4. Shake for a full minute so he knows you mean it — no support

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 3 with score 2, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 6: «A boy in Ireland squeezed new classmates' hands as hard as he could to look strong; one girl's hand hurt and she told the teacher, who asked him to stop.», reached through the remembered sentence the question matched. What matched: the same property (+3); the same action «squeeze» (+1). Against it: a different doer (counts against) (-2). The right option, 2, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 14 · ★ · wrong ✗

visiting a family that takes shoes off inside, i keep mine on

1. Wipe them and walk in — no support
2. Only take one shoe off — ← Mova's choice · score 4
3. Keep them on, it's your style and they're your shoes — score 4
4. Take them off, it's their custom and shows respect — ✓ the right answer · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 2 with score 4, tied with another option at 4 (the first shown, or the one claiming less beyond what it knows, wins). Its support: lesson 124, line 22: «In Japan, and in many homes elsewhere, people take their shoes off at the door, and guests do the same.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «take off» (+3); the same thing acted on «shoes» (+1). The right option, 4, scored 4. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 15 · ★ · right ✓

why learn other ppl's customs before a trip

1. So you don't upset people by mistake — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Only the adults on the trip need to know any of that stuff — no support
3. So you can laugh at them — no support
4. It doesn't matter abroad — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 16 · ★ · wrong ✗

did u hear Finn crushed a girl's hand so hard shaking it "her fingers snapped". what's probs exaggerated

1. That her hand hurt after it — score 4
2. Snapped fingers; but squeezing hard really can hurt — ✓ the right answer · score 4
3. That the teacher asked him to stop — ← Mova's choice · score 6
4. That a handshake should be firm but gentle and never squeeze hard — score -2

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 3 with score 6, against 4 for the next best. Its support: lesson 124, line 6: «A boy in Ireland squeezed new classmates' hands as hard as he could to look strong; one girl's hand hurt and she told the teacher, who asked him to stop.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «teacher» (+4); the same action «ask» (+2). The right option, 2, scored 4. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 17 · ★ · wrong ✗

my mate says a girl went in a house in Japan with shoes on n "got kicked out the country". real lesson?

1. Learn local customs before you visit, to avoid upset — ✓ the right answer · no support
2. Shoes only matter if they are muddy — no support
3. Customs do not matter when you are on holiday — no support
4. Japan bans all tourists who wear shoes — ← Mova's choice · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 4, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 25, line 4: «Prevention is simple: stay on paths, wear shoes and long trousers in the bush or desert, look before you put hands under rocks and logs, and shake out shoes an…», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «wear» (+3); the same thing acted on «shoes» (+1). The right option, 1, found no support in what it remembers. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Test 18 · ★ · right ✓

kids say the new boy won't shake hands cos he's "weird". pass it on?

1. Yes, and make him shake hands next time — score 3
2. Yes, but only tell it as a joke — no support
3. Yes, everyone should know he is rude — score 1
4. No, some people do not shake hands, respect it — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 4 with score 4, against 3 for the next best. Its support: lesson 124, line 12: «Some people do not shake hands, and you must respect that without insisting.», reached through the option's own match among the sentences about the question's things. What matched: the same action «shake» (+3); the same thing acted on «hands» (+1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 1 · formal language · wrong ✗

State the qualities of a correctly executed handshake.

1. Very hard, for as long as can be held — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. Limp and loose, for a single brief shake — no support
3. Very gentle, with the fingertips only — no support
4. Firm but not hard, for two or three shakes — ✓ the right answer · no support

Why: Nothing it remembers matched the question, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 2 · formal language · right ✓

It is given that a person has a cold. Determine the appropriate alternative to shaking hands and the reason for it.

1. Bow very deeply, as the custom is required — no support
2. Shake with the left hand, as it holds no germs — score 5
3. Explain and wave, as germs spread through hands — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 8
4. Shake hands faster, as germs need time to pass — score 4

Why: It took the question to ask which statement is true. It chose option 3 with score 8, against 5 for the next best. Its support: lesson 124, line 10: «If you have a cold, you explain and wave instead of shaking hands, because germs spread through hands.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: the same doer «germs» (+4); the same action «spread» (+2); the same place «hands» (+2). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 3 · formal language · wrong ✗

Ascertain the meaning of the Maori greeting "Kia ora" as used in New Zealand.

1. Goodbye and safe travels — ← Mova's choice · no support
2. Hello and good health — ✓ the right answer · no support
3. Thank you and good night — no support
4. Welcome to the meeting house — no support

Why: No option found support in what it remembers, so it guessed: it took the first option shown. · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

Exam question 4 · formal language · right ✓

Which of the following statements most accurately characterises the expected reply to "How's it going?" from a passer-by?

1. A question as to why they ask — no support
2. Silence, as it needs no reply at all — no support
3. "Good, thanks!", as it is a greeting — ← Mova's choice · ✓ the right answer · score 6
4. A full account of one's day so far — no support

Why: It took the question to ask who or what does it. It chose option 3 with score 6, the only option with support. Its support: lesson 124, line 19: «"How's it going?" from someone walking past is a greeting, and "Good, thanks!" is the expected answer.», reached through the same lesson line as the sentence the question matched. What matched: it fills the role the question asks for (+3); the same doer «good thanks» (+2); the same light verb (be, have, do, get, go) (+1). · the question and its options parsed, with trees and pragmatics

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