College student answers final exam question with new year greeting

A final exam posted online by a teacher at Hubei University on January 19 where a student answered an economics question as, "Dear teacher, wish you a happy new year and may everything go well." Photo: Wuhan Evening News

A university instructor in Wuhan, Hubei province handed a big, fat zero to an economics major who had blanked on a final exam question and tried to smooth things over with a new year greeting.

Xu Junwu, a teacher of economics at Hubei University in Wuhan, Hubei province, posted a photo of the exam on his Sina Weibo account on January 19.

The student, defined the Pigou Effect - the idea that a large drop in prices stimulates the economy and employment - as "Dear teacher, wish you a happy new year and may everything go well."

Xu captioned the photo with "Same to you," and gave her zero credit for the question.

"The greeting made me feel warm, but could do nothing to help her," said Xu, who admitted the course is challenging.

"Exams are serious. I hope my students can earn grades based on their knowledge and not knowing how to please teachers," said Xu.