Skip to main content

Chapter 6: The Seven Principles of General Agent Problem Solving Quiz

Test your understanding of the seven principles that make agentic AI workflows effective: bash as universal interface, code as universal interface, verification as core step, small reversible decomposition, persisting state in files, constraints and safety, and observability.

Checking access...

Answer Key

QuestionCorrect AnswerPrinciple Tested
1BPrinciple 1: Bash is the Key
2BPrinciple 1: Bash is the Key
3DPrinciple 1: Bash is the Key
4BPrinciple 2: Code as Universal Interface
5BPrinciple 2: Code as Universal Interface
6CPrinciple 2: Code as Universal Interface
7BPrinciple 3: Verification as Core Step
8BPrinciple 3: Verification as Core Step
9BPrinciple 3: Verification as Core Step
10BPrinciple 4: Small, Reversible Decomposition
11BPrinciple 4: Small, Reversible Decomposition
12BPrinciple 4: Small, Reversible Decomposition
13BPrinciple 5: Persisting State in Files
14CPrinciple 5: Persisting State in Files
15BPrinciple 5: Persisting State in Files
16BPrinciple 6: Constraints and Safety
17BPrinciple 6: Constraints and Safety
18CPrinciple 6: Constraints and Safety
19CPrinciple 7: Observability
20BPrinciple 7: Observability
21CPrinciple 8: Putting It All Together
22BPrinciple 8: Putting It All Together
23BPrinciple 8: Putting It All Together
24BPrinciples 3 & 5: Verification + State Persistence
25BPrinciple 4: Small, Reversible Decomposition
26BPrinciple 5: Persisting State in Files
27CPrinciples 6 & 7: Constraints/Safety + Observability
28BPrinciple 2: Code as Universal Interface
29BPrinciple 6: Constraints and Safety
30BPrinciple 5 + Context Engineering

Scoring Guide

ScoreProficiency LevelInterpretation
27-30B2 (Advanced)Strong understanding of all seven principles and how they integrate
22-26B1 (Intermediate)Good understanding with some gaps in integration
17-21A2 (Elementary)Basic understanding of principles but needs more practice
0-16A1 (Beginner)Review the lessons and try the "Try With AI" exercises

Next Steps

Based on your performance, focus on:

  • Principles 1-3 (Foundation): If you missed questions 1-9, review the fundamental lessons on bash access, code as interface, and verification
  • Principles 4-5 (Workflow): If you missed questions 10-15 or 24-26, focus on decomposition and state persistence patterns
  • Principles 6-7 (Safety & Observability): If you missed questions 16-20, 27, or 29, study safety models and observability practices
  • Integration & Tradeoffs: If you missed questions 21-23 or 24-30, practice applying multiple principles together and reasoning about principle interactions

Remember: The principles are most powerful when applied together. The scenario-based questions (24-30) test your ability to diagnose which principles apply to real-world situations—this judgment is what separates practitioners from beginners.