A school counsellor in Lucknow assessed the students of Class 5. She first gave an intelligence test to the whole class together, and the children marked written answers in a multiple-choice format. Arjun, aged 10 years, showed a mental age of 13. Meena, also aged 10, obtained an IQ of 85. Kabir, aged 9, had shown a long attention span and early language skills since infancy. He now solves puzzles quickly and keeps asking searching questions. A week later, the counsellor tested Kabir again. This time he answered her questions orally and arranged blocks as she instructed.
The study of children who show signs like Kabir's began in 1925 with Lewis Terman. Which of the following describes the children Terman followed?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → About 1500 children with IQs of 130 and above
Option (1) About 1000 children with IQs of 120 and above — Incorrect. Both figures are wrong. Terman's group was larger, about 1500, and an IQ of 120 is only the lower end of the superior band.
Option (2) About 1500 children with IQs of 120 and above — Incorrect. The number of children is right, but the cut-off is not. IQs of 120-130 are labelled superior; Terman's gifted group started at 130.
Option (3) About 1500 children with IQs of 130 and above — Correct. Terman began the study of the gifted by following about 1500 children with IQs of 130 and above. He wanted to see how intelligence relates to occupational success and life adjustment.
Option (4) About 1000 children with IQs of 130 and above — Incorrect. The IQ cut-off of 130 is right, but the group was larger. Terman followed about 1500 children.
NCERT (2026-27): “Intellectual Giftedness |