What was your answer?

• A. By being a man, freeborn, sound in mind and members, and coming under the tongue of good report.
• B. By showing proof of lawful age and sponsorship by a Mason.
• C. By reciting a pledge of secrecy.
• D. By giving a secret word.

Answer: (A)

The fundamental idea this question tests is the eligibility for joining Freemasonry. The traditional entry criteria state that a candidate must be a man, free-born, of sound mind and body, and of good report—meaning his character is vouched for by others in the community. This “tongue of good report” is about reputation and trust before the lodge accepts him. The other options describe parts of the process or attributes that are not the core gatekeeping criteria: a pledge of secrecy or a secret word are tied to the obligations and knowledge after joining, not the admission itself, and sponsorship or proof of lawful age by itself doesn’t capture the essential requirement that character and lawful status be established upfront. Therefore, the best choice is the one listing the standard eligibility: being a man, free-born, sound in mind and body, and of good report.