I don't understand, if James Evans had only a 6th grade education, how was he able to read large words that sixth graders are unable to read, how did he get a chance to pass the state government exam for the apprentice program-, he lied on the application regarding his date of birth, he should have been denied, why was he called in for an interview to be denied because he was too old????

He did not lie. The gov't. examiner misread his application regarding his birthdate. It was their mistake, not James'. They didn't realize the mistake until James was there.

I don't understand, if James Evans had only a 6th grade education, how was he able to read large words that sixth graders are unable to read, how did he get a chance to pass the state government exam for the apprentice program-, he lied on the application regarding his date of birth, he should have been denied, why was he called in for an interview to be denied because he was too old????
As for his being able to read big words- back in the day 6 years of schooling was considered a lot. A foundation you could build upon and function with in society. From there if you had your trade and really good at it (mechanics etc) you were good. I've known people who had about that much schooling and were able to do quite a lot in society, had fairly informed opinions on politics, current events and such. The character probably had to leave school to go to work (I think this was mentioned in some episode- don't remember). James was a man's man in the traditional sense so he sure could've gone further in terms of formal schooling but pride got in the way and he'd been working for so long and then I guess the kids came along. Too bad the writers didn't follow up on he and Florida's going to get the GEDs.
Today there are people who have been socially promoted who are in high school who are much less articulate and socially aware than either James or Florida. That's due to mental retardation, unstable home life, substance abuse, family breakdown and a bunch of other things. James came from a so-called broken home but he had it more together than the average sixth grade educated person that we see today. Funny as it is to say on a website like this, James didn't grow up wasting his brain cells watching tv either so despite poverty, hard times etc he had opportunity for mental exercise that a lot of youth today don't get.

How can you test someone at the age of 10 or being too old too old remember the years that was discussed when he was born 1932 or 1942, remember the government agent stated he must have went to the military at the age of 10 compared to being too old that is why he did not get a chance to go to the program, he should not have taken the test period!

He did not lie. The gov't. examiner misread his application regarding his birthdate. It was their mistake, not James'. They didn't realize the mistake until James was there.

He already took the test-How can you test someone at the age of 10 or being too old too old for a government test- remember the years that was discussed when he was born 1932 or 1942, remember the government agent stated he must have went to the military at the age of 10 compared to being too old that is why he did not get a chance to go to the program, he should not have taken the test period-----

He already took the test-How can you test someone at the age of 10 or being too old too old for a government test- remember the years that was discussed when he was born 1932 or 1942, remember the government agent stated he must have went to the military at the age of 10 compared to being too old that is why he did not get a chance to go to the program, he should not have taken the test period-----
It wasn't explained in the episode (time constraints) but you have to think that it was possible when James was taking the test, those who administered the test were not looking at the application or anything else, they simply administered the test and forwarded the results to the official who was meeting with James. It was an oversight on someone's part that James' birth year was mistaken.

It wasn't explained in the episode (time constraints) but you have to think that it was possible when James was taking the test, those who administered the test were not looking at the application or anything else, they simply administered the test and forwarded the results to the official who was meeting with James. It was an oversight on someone's part that James' birth year was mistaken.

With only a 6th grade education?