Circuit misconceptions, and an advance copy of a quiz

On a problem set last week, I gave students the simple circuit shown to the right.  I asked what would happen to various parts of the circuit when I decreased R₂.  One of the questions in particular said, "What will happen to the current flowing from the battery when the value of R₂  is decreased?"

The most common answer:  

"The current will not change, because it's the same battery, so it will always provide the same current." 

Silly students, a battery provides a constant VOLTAGE, not a constant current -- but that's a common misconception in the first week of circuits.

The second most common answer:

"The current will not change, because R₂ is the farthest resistor from the battery, and so the current hasn't reached R₂ yet.

Silly student with a common misconception again.  The "distance from the battery" should never be used to justify anything associated with circuitry, because "distance" from a battery is irrelevant.

I decided to use a quiz to bust these misconceptions.  I've often announced the topic of a quiz the night before, in the hopes that students will target some studying.  This time, I actually sent out the quiz below via email, along with a quick note that discussing the questions in advance was encouraged.  

Did it work?  Yes, in that I've pretty much eliminated the misconceptions I've listed (for now -- I'll have to try again in a couple of months during our review time).  Sure, a few students did poorly, because either they (a) didn't prepare at all, or (b) convinced themselves or their friends that the current of a battery is always constant.  Either way, this exercise was useful!  For the students in category (b), they will never make this mistake again.  Someone in category (a) hangs his head in shame when his classmates tells him, "Jeez, Will, Mr. Jacobs gave us this exact copy ahead of time, it was easy points!"