Directions Test Worksheet for Students

This is a "Directions Test" designed to assess how carefully a student follows instructions. The key challenge lies in paying close attention to the final instruction, which changes everything.

Let’s go through it step by step and explain the correct solution:

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🔍 Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Read everything before starting, and then work as quickly as possible.
→ This tells you to read all the directions first. You *must* do this.

2. Write your name at the top right corner of the paper.
→ Do this.

3. Draw a box around your name.
→ Do this.

4. Circle number 1.
→ Circle the "1" next to the first instruction.

5. Underline the word "name" in number 2.
→ Underline the word "name" in instruction #2.

6. Stand up and say your name out loud.
→ Do this.

7. Answer the question out loud: Do you like broccoli?
→ Answer aloud.

8. On the back of the paper, multiply 40x30.
→ Write "1200" on the back.

9. Stand up and count backwards from 10.
→ Do this.

10. At the bottom of the page, write your favorite color.
→ Write it.

11. Put a box around the word "color" in number 10.
→ Box the word "color".

12. Stand up, push in your chair, and slowly jog around the classroom saying "I love school! I love school!"
→ Do this.

13. Draw a picture of a house on the back of this page.
→ Draw it.

14. Stand up and tell the class how old you are.
→ Do this.

15. Cross out the word "picture" in number 13.
→ Cross out "picture" in instruction 13.

16. Stand up and announce, "I am almost finished the directions."
→ Do this.

17. Now that you have finished reading the directions carefully, do only number 1, 2, and 13. Sit quietly and smile at your teacher. Do not speak to your neighbors.
→ THIS IS THE CRITICAL STEP.

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✔ What Should You Actually Do?

Even though you’ve done many things so far, instruction #17 overrides everything else.

It says:
> "Do only number 1, 2, and 13. Sit quietly and smile at your teacher. Do not speak to your neighbors."

So here's what you should actually do after reading all the directions:

1. Write your name at the top right corner. ✔
2. Draw a box around your name. ✔
3. Draw a picture of a house on the back of this page. ✔

And then:
- Stop.
- Sit quietly.
- Smile at your teacher.
- Do not do anything else — including standing up, speaking, or doing any other numbered steps.

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🚫 Why Not Follow All Steps?

Because instruction #17 says: "do only number 1, 2, and 13" — meaning ignore all other instructions.

This test is designed to see if students can follow complex, conflicting instructions and realize that the last instruction takes precedence.

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💡 The Lesson

This is not just about following directions — it's about critical thinking:
- Reading all instructions thoroughly.
- Recognizing when one instruction cancels out others.
- Stopping when told to stop.

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✔ Final Answer (What You Should Have Done):

- ✔️ Write your name at the top right.
- ✔️ Draw a box around your name.
- ✔️ Draw a picture of a house on the back.
- ✔️ Sit quietly and smile at your teacher.
- ✘ Ignore all other steps.

That’s the correct way to pass the Directions Test.

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💡 Fun fact: This kind of test is often used in classrooms to teach students that reading carefully and thinking before acting is more important than just doing every step in order.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a teacher’s guide for this activity!