diff --git a/topics/about_arrays.js b/topics/about_arrays.js
index b2de2547..5cbca9fb 100644
--- a/topics/about_arrays.js
+++ b/topics/about_arrays.js
@@ -2,23 +2,23 @@ module("About Arrays (topics/about_arrays.js)");
 
 test("array literal syntax and indexing", function() {
     var favouriteThings = ["cellar door", 42, true]; // note that array elements do not have to be of the same type
-    equal(__, favouriteThings[0], 'what is in the first position of the array?');
-    equal(__, favouriteThings[1], 'what is in the second position of the array?');
-    equal(__, favouriteThings[2], 'what is in the third position of the array?');
+    equal("cellar door", favouriteThings[0], 'what is in the first position of the array?');
+    equal(42, favouriteThings[1], 'what is in the second position of the array?');
+    equal(true, favouriteThings[2], 'what is in the third position of the array?');
 });
 
 test("array type", function() {
-    equal(__, typeof([]), 'what is the type of an array?');
+    equal('object', typeof([]), 'what is the type of an array?');
 });
 
 test("length", function() {
     var collection = ['a','b','c'];
-    equal(__, collection.length, 'what is the length of the collection array?');
+    equal(3, collection.length, 'what is the length of the collection array?');
 });
 
 test("splice", function() {
     var daysOfWeek = ['Monday', 'Tuesday', 'Wednesday', 'Thursday', 'Friday', 'Saturday', 'Sunday'];
-    var workingWeek = daysOfWeek.splice(__, __);
+    var workingWeek = daysOfWeek.splice(0, 5);
     var weekend = daysOfWeek;
 
     deepEqual(workingWeek, ['Monday', 'Tuesday', 'Wednesday', 'Thursday', 'Friday'], 'what is the value of workingWeek?');
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ test("stack methods", function() {
     stack.push("first");
     stack.push("second");
 
-    equal(__, stack.pop(), 'what will be the first value popped off the stack?');
-    equal(__, stack.pop(), 'what will be the second value popped off the stack?');
+    equal("second", stack.pop(), 'what will be the first value popped off the stack?');
+    equal("first", stack.pop(), 'what will be the second value popped off the stack?');
 });
 
 test("queue methods", function() {
@@ -40,6 +40,6 @@ test("queue methods", function() {
     queue.push("second");
     queue.unshift("third");
 
-    equal(__, queue.shift(), 'what will be shifted out first?');
-    equal(__, queue.shift(), 'what will be shifted out second?');
+    equal("third", queue.shift(), 'what will be shifted out first?');
+    equal("first", queue.shift(), 'what will be shifted out second?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_asserts.js b/topics/about_asserts.js
index baf7fc75..a2146770 100644
--- a/topics/about_asserts.js
+++ b/topics/about_asserts.js
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 module("About Asserts (topics/about_asserts.js)");
 
 test("ok", function() {
-    ok(__ === true, 'what will satisfy the ok assertion?');
+    ok(true === true, 'what will satisfy the ok assertion?');
 });
 
 test("not ok", function() {
-    ok(__ === false, 'what is a false value?');
+    ok(false === false, 'what is a false value?');
 });
 
 test("equal", function() {
-    equal(__, 1 + 1, 'what will satisfy the equal assertion?');
+    equal(2, 1 + 1, 'what will satisfy the equal assertion?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_assignment.js b/topics/about_assignment.js
index 4532861e..cba47c77 100644
--- a/topics/about_assignment.js
+++ b/topics/about_assignment.js
@@ -2,11 +2,11 @@
 module("About Assignment (topics/about_assignment.js)");
 
 test("local variables", function() {
-    var temp = __;
+    var temp = 1;
     equal(temp, 1, "Assign a value to the variable temp");
 });
 
 test("global variables", function() {
     temp = 1; // Not using var is an example. Always use var in practise.
-    equal(window.__, temp, 'global variables are assigned to the window object');
+    equal(window.temp, temp, 'global variables are assigned to the window object');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_control_structures.js b/topics/about_control_structures.js
index aca1623b..592d752e 100644
--- a/topics/about_control_structures.js
+++ b/topics/about_control_structures.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ test("if", function() {
 	if (2 > 0) {
 		isPositive = true;
 	}
-	equal(__, isPositive,  'what is the value of isPositive?');
+	equal(true, isPositive,  'what is the value of isPositive?');
 });
 
 test("for", function() {
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ test("for", function() {
 	for (var i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
 		counter = counter + i;
 	}
-	equal(__, counter, 'what is the value of counter?');
+	equal(16, counter, 'what is the value of counter?');
 });
 
 test("for in", function() {
@@ -27,15 +27,15 @@ test("for in", function() {
 	for (var property_name in person) {
   		result = result + property_name;
 	}
-	equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+	equal("nameage", result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
 
 test("ternary operator", function() {
 	var fruit = true ? "apple" : "orange";
-	equal(__, fruit, 'what is the value of fruit?');
+	equal("apple", fruit, 'what is the value of fruit?');
 
 	fruit = false ? "apple" : "orange";
-	equal(__, fruit, 'now what is the value of fruit?');
+	equal("orange", fruit, 'now what is the value of fruit?');
 });
 
 test("switch", function() {
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ test("switch", function() {
 			result = 2;
 			break;
 	}
-	equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+	equal(2, result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
 
 test("switch default case", function() {
@@ -64,10 +64,10 @@ test("switch default case", function() {
             result = "Merry";
             break;
     }
-    equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+    equal("Merry", result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
 
 test("null coalescing", function() {
     var result = null || "a value";
-    equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+    equal("a value", result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_equality.js b/topics/about_equality.js
index fe3e3d21..a44094fb 100644
--- a/topics/about_equality.js
+++ b/topics/about_equality.js
@@ -2,22 +2,22 @@
 module("About Equality (topics/about_equality.js)");
 
 test("numeric equality", function() {
-    equal(3 + __,  7, "");
+    equal(3 + 4,  7, "");
 });
 
 test("string equality", function() {
-    equal("3" + __, "37", "concatenate the strings");
+    equal("3" + "7", "37", "concatenate the strings");
 });
 
 test("equality without type coercion", function() {
-    ok(3 === __, 'what is exactly equal to 3?');
+    ok(3 === 3, 'what is exactly equal to 3?');
 });
 
 test("equality with type coercion", function() {
-    ok(3 == "__", 'what string is equal to 3, with type coercion?');
+    ok(3 == "3", 'what string is equal to 3, with type coercion?');
 });
 
 test("string literals", function() {
-    equal(__, "frankenstein", "quote types are interchangable, but must match.");
-    equal(__, 'frankenstein', "quote types can use both single and double quotes.");
+    equal("frankenstein", "frankenstein", "quote types are interchangable, but must match.");
+    equal('frankenstein', 'frankenstein', "quote types can use both single and double quotes.");
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_functions_and_closure.js b/topics/about_functions_and_closure.js
index 7477278f..6526be80 100644
--- a/topics/about_functions_and_closure.js
+++ b/topics/about_functions_and_closure.js
@@ -7,14 +7,14 @@ test("defining functions directly", function() {
         result = "b";
     };
     changeResult();
-    equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+    equal("b", result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
 
 test("assigning functions to variables", function() {
     var triple = function(input) {
         return input * 3;
     };
-    equal(__, triple(4), 'what is triple 4?');
+    equal(12, triple(4), 'what is triple 4?');
 });
 
 test("self invoking functions", function() {
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@ test("self invoking functions", function() {
     // self invoking functions are used to provide scoping and to alias variables
     (function(pv) {
         var secretValue = "password";
-        equal(__, pv, 'what is the value of pv?');
-        equal("__", typeof(secretValue), "is secretValue available in this context?");
-        equal("__", typeof(publicValue), "is publicValue available in this context?");
+        equal("shared", pv, 'what is the value of pv?');
+        equal("string", typeof(secretValue), "is secretValue available in this context?");
+        equal("string", typeof(publicValue), "is publicValue available in this context?");
     })(publicValue);
 
-    equal("__", typeof(secretValue), "is secretValue available in this context?");
-    equal("__", typeof(publicValue), "is publicValue available in this context?");
+    equal("undefined", typeof(secretValue), "is secretValue available in this context?");
+    equal("string", typeof(publicValue), "is publicValue available in this context?");
 });
 
 test("arguments array", function() {
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ test("arguments array", function() {
         var total = 0;
         for(var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
             // complete the implementation of this method so that it returns the sum of its arguments
-            // __
+            total = total + arguments[i];
         }
-        // __
+        return total;
     };
 
     equal(15, add(1,2,3,4,5), "add 1,2,3,4,5");
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ test("using call to invoke function",function(){
     //function, and the arguments to be sent to the function, multiple arguments are separated by commas.
     var result = invokee.call("I am this!", "Where did it come from?");
         
-    equal(__, result, "what will the value of invokee's this be?");
+    equal("I am this!Where did it come from?", result, "what will the value of invokee's this be?");
 });
 
 test("using apply to invoke function",function(){
@@ -70,6 +70,6 @@ test("using apply to invoke function",function(){
     //function and the second is the array of arguments to be passed into the called function.
     var result = invokee.apply("I am this!", ["I am arg1","I am arg2"]);
         
-    equal(__, result, "what will the value of invokee's this be?");
+    equal("I am this!I am arg1I am arg2", result, "what will the value of invokee's this be?");
 });
 
diff --git a/topics/about_numbers.js b/topics/about_numbers.js
index 1319acd8..52fd1adf 100644
--- a/topics/about_numbers.js
+++ b/topics/about_numbers.js
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ module("About Numbers (topics/about_numbers.js)");
 test("types", function() {
     var typeOfIntegers = typeof(6);
     var typeOfFloats = typeof(3.14159);
-    equal(__, typeOfIntegers === typeOfFloats, 'are ints and floats the same type?');
-    equal(__, typeOfIntegers, 'what is the javascript numeric type?');
-    equal(__, 1.0, 'what is a integer number equivalent to 1.0?');
+    equal(true, typeOfIntegers === typeOfFloats, 'are ints and floats the same type?');
+    equal("number", typeOfIntegers, 'what is the javascript numeric type?');
+    equal(1, 1.0, 'what is a integer number equivalent to 1.0?');
 });
 
 test("NaN", function() {
     var resultOfFailedOperations = 7/'apple';
-    equal(__, isNaN(resultOfFailedOperations), 'what will satisfy the equals assertion?');
-    equal(__, resultOfFailedOperations == NaN, 'is NaN == NaN?');
+    equal(true, isNaN(resultOfFailedOperations), 'what will satisfy the equals assertion?');
+    equal(false, resultOfFailedOperations == NaN, 'is NaN == NaN?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_objects.js b/topics/about_objects.js
index 24c03533..bfb64438 100644
--- a/topics/about_objects.js
+++ b/topics/about_objects.js
@@ -3,13 +3,13 @@ module("About Objects (topics/about_objects.js)");
 
 test("object type", function() {
     var empty_object = {};
-    equal(__, typeof(empty_object), 'what is the type of an object?');
+    equal('object', typeof(empty_object), 'what is the type of an object?');
 });
 
 test("object literal notation", function() {
     var person = {
-        __:__,
-        __:__
+        name:"Amory Blaine",
+        age:102
     };
     equal("Amory Blaine", person.name, "what is the person's name?");
     equal(102, person.age, "what is the person's age?");
@@ -17,16 +17,16 @@ test("object literal notation", function() {
 
 test("dynamically adding properties", function() {
     var person = {};
-    person.__ = "Amory Blaine";
-    person.__ = 102;
+    person.name = "Amory Blaine";
+    person.age = 102;
     equal("Amory Blaine", person.name, "what is the person's name?");
     equal(102, person.age, "what is the person's age?");
 }); 
 
 test("adding properties from strings", function() {
     var person = {};
-    person["__"] = "Amory Blaine";
-    person["__"] = 102;
+    person["name"] = "Amory Blaine";
+    person["age"] = 102;
     equal("Amory Blaine", person.name, "what is the person's name?");
     equal(102, person.age, "what is the person's age?");
 });
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ test("adding functions", function() {
         name: "Amory Blaine",
         age: 102,
         toString: function() {
-            return __;  // HINT: use the 'this' keyword to refer to the person object.
+            return `I ${this.name} am ${this.age} years old.`;  // HINT: use the 'this' keyword to refer to the person object.
         }
     };
     equal("I Amory Blaine am 102 years old.", person.toString(), "what should the toString function be?");
diff --git a/topics/about_operators.js b/topics/about_operators.js
index 9859900b..9d5ce763 100644
--- a/topics/about_operators.js
+++ b/topics/about_operators.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ test("addition", function() {
   for (var i = 0; i <= 5; i++) {
     result = result + i;
   }
-  equal(__, result, "What is the value of result?");
+  equal(15, result, "What is the value of result?");
 });
 
 test("assignment addition", function() {
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ test("assignment addition", function() {
     //the code below is just like saying result = result + i; but is more concise
     result += i;
   }
-  equal(__, result, "What is the value of result?");
+  equal(15, result, "What is the value of result?");
 });
 
 test("subtraction", function() {
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ test("subtraction", function() {
   for (var i = 0; i <= 2; i++) {
     result = result - i;
   }
-  equal(__, result, "What is the value of result?");
+  equal(2, result, "What is the value of result?");
 });
 
 test("assignment subtraction", function() {
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ test("assignment subtraction", function() {
   for (var i = 0; i <= 2; i++) {
     result -= i;
   }
-  equal(__, result, "What is the value of result?");
+  equal(2, result, "What is the value of result?");
 });
 
 //Assignment operators are available for multiplication and division as well
@@ -43,5 +43,5 @@ test("modulus", function() {
   var x = 5;
   //again this is exactly the same as result = result % x
   result %= x;
-  equal(__, result, "What is the value of result?");
+  equal(0, result, "What is the value of result?");
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_prototypal_inheritance.js b/topics/about_prototypal_inheritance.js
index 811c040e..7cb1d842 100644
--- a/topics/about_prototypal_inheritance.js
+++ b/topics/about_prototypal_inheritance.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Mammal.prototype = {
 
 test("defining a 'class'", function() {
     var eric  = new Mammal("Eric");
-    equal(__, eric.sayHi(), 'what will Eric say?');
+    equal("Hello, my name is Eric", eric.sayHi(), 'what will Eric say?');
 });
 
 // add another function to the Mammal 'type' that uses the sayHi function
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Mammal.prototype.favouriteSaying = function() {
 
 test("more functions", function() {
     var bobby = new Mammal("Bobby");
-    equal(__, bobby.favouriteSaying(), "what is Bobby's favourite saying?"); 
+    equal("Bobby's favourite saying is Hello, my name is Bobby", bobby.favouriteSaying(), "what is Bobby's favourite saying?");
 });
 
 test("calling functions added to a prototype after an object was created", function() {
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ test("calling functions added to a prototype after an object was created", funct
     };
     // the following statement asks the paul object to call a function that was added
     // to the Mammal prototype after paul was constructed.
-    equal(__, paul.numberOfLettersInName(), "how long is Paul's name?");
+    equal(4, paul.numberOfLettersInName(), "how long is Paul's name?");
 });
 
 // helper function for inheritance. 
@@ -56,6 +56,6 @@ extend(Bat, Mammal);
 
 test("Inheritance", function() {
     var lenny = new Bat("Lenny", "1.5m");
-    equal(__, lenny.sayHi(), "what does Lenny say?");
-    equal(__, lenny.wingspan, "what is Lenny's wingspan?");
+    equal("Hello, my name is Lenny", lenny.sayHi(), "what does Lenny say?");
+    equal("1.5m", lenny.wingspan, "what is Lenny's wingspan?");
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_prototype_chain.js b/topics/about_prototype_chain.js
index 46e3b4df..d602da13 100644
--- a/topics/about_prototype_chain.js
+++ b/topics/about_prototype_chain.js
@@ -27,29 +27,29 @@ child.b = 2;
  * */
 
 test("Is there an 'a' and 'b' own property on child?", function () {
-  equal(__, child.hasOwnProperty('a'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'a\')?');
-  equal(__, child.hasOwnProperty('b'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'b\')?');
+  equal(true, child.hasOwnProperty('a'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'a\')?');
+  equal(true, child.hasOwnProperty('b'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'b\')?');
 });
 
 test("Is there an 'a' and 'b' property on child?", function () {
-  equal(__, child.a, 'what is \'a\' value?');
-  equal(__, child.b, 'what is \'b\' value?');
+  equal(1, child.a, 'what is \'a\' value?');
+  equal(2, child.b, 'what is \'b\' value?');
 });
 
 test("If 'b' was removed, whats b value?", function () {
   delete child.b;
-  equal(__, child.b, 'what is \'b\' value now?');
+  equal(3, child.b, 'what is \'b\' value now?');
 });
 
 
 test("Is there a 'c' own property on child?", function () {
-  equal(__, child.hasOwnProperty('c'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'c\')?');
+  equal(false, child.hasOwnProperty('c'), 'child.hasOwnProperty(\'c\')?');
 });
 
 // Is there a 'c' own property on child? No, check its prototype
 // Is there a 'c' own property on child.[[Prototype]]? Yes, its value is...
 test("Is there a 'c' property on child?", function () {
-  equal(__, child.c, 'what is the value of child.c?');
+  equal(4, child.c, 'what is the value of child.c?');
 });
 
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ test("Is there a 'c' property on child?", function () {
 // Is there a 'd' own property on child.[[Prototype]]? No, check it prototype
 // child.[[Prototype]].[[Prototype]] is null, stop searching, no property found, return...
 test("Is there an 'd' property on child?", function () {
-  equal(__, child.d, 'what is the value of child.d?');
+  equal(undefined, child.d, 'what is the value of child.d?');
 });
 
 
diff --git a/topics/about_reflection.js b/topics/about_reflection.js
index 63868648..a64babf1 100644
--- a/topics/about_reflection.js
+++ b/topics/about_reflection.js
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ function B() {
 B.prototype = new A();
 
 test("typeof", function() {
-    equal(__, typeof({}), 'what is the type of an empty object?');
-    equal(__, typeof('apple'), 'what is the type of a string?');
-    equal(__, typeof(-5), 'what is the type of -5?');
-    equal(__, typeof(false), 'what is the type of false?');
+    equal("object", typeof({}), 'what is the type of an empty object?');
+    equal("string", typeof('apple'), 'what is the type of a string?');
+    equal("number", typeof(-5), 'what is the type of -5?');
+    equal("boolean", typeof(false), 'what is the type of false?');
 });
 
 test("property enumeration", function() {
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ test("property enumeration", function() {
         keys.push(propertyName);
         values.push(person[propertyName]);
     }
-    ok(keys.equalTo(['__','__','__']), 'what are the property names of the object?');
-    ok(values.equalTo(['__',__,__]), 'what are the property values of the object?');
+    ok(keys.equalTo(['name','age','unemployed']), 'what are the property names of the object?');
+    ok(values.equalTo(['Amory Blaine',102,true]), 'what are the property values of the object?');
 });
 
 test("hasOwnProperty", function() {
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ test("hasOwnProperty", function() {
     for (propertyName in b) {
         keys.push(propertyName);
     }
-    equal(__, keys.length, 'how many elements are in the keys array?');
-    deepEqual([__, __], keys, 'what are the properties of the array?');
+    equal(2, keys.length, 'how many elements are in the keys array?');
+    deepEqual(["bprop", "aprop"], keys, 'what are the properties of the array?');
 
     // hasOwnProperty returns true if the parameter is a property directly on the object,
     // but not if it is a property accessible via the prototype chain.
@@ -48,21 +48,21 @@ test("hasOwnProperty", function() {
             ownKeys.push(propertyName);
         }
     }
-    equal(__, ownKeys.length, 'how many elements are in the ownKeys array?');
-    deepEqual([__], ownKeys, 'what are the own properties of the array?');
+    equal(1, ownKeys.length, 'how many elements are in the ownKeys array?');
+    deepEqual(["bprop"], ownKeys, 'what are the own properties of the array?');
 });
 
 test("constructor property", function () {
     var a = new A();
     var b = new B();
-    equal(__, typeof(a.constructor), "what is the type of a's constructor?");
-    equal(__, a.constructor.name, "what is the name of a's constructor?");
-    equal(__, b.constructor.name, "what is the name of b's constructor?");
+    equal('function', typeof(a.constructor), "what is the type of a's constructor?");
+    equal('A', a.constructor.name, "what is the name of a's constructor?");
+    equal('A', b.constructor.name, "what is the name of b's constructor?");
 });
 
 test("eval", function() {
     // eval executes a string
     var result = "";
     eval("result = 'apple' + ' ' + 'pie'");
-    equal(__, result, 'what is the value of result?');
+    equal('apple pie', result, 'what is the value of result?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_regular_expressions.js b/topics/about_regular_expressions.js
index b49bc723..a160f2b2 100644
--- a/topics/about_regular_expressions.js
+++ b/topics/about_regular_expressions.js
@@ -4,28 +4,28 @@ module("About Regular Expressions (topics/about_regular_expressions.js)");
 test("exec", function() {
     var numberFinder = /(\d).*(\d)/;
     var results = numberFinder.exec("what if 6 turned out to be 9?");
-    ok(results.equalTo([__, __, __]), 'what is the value of results?');		
+    ok(results.equalTo(["6 turned out to be 9", "6", "9"]), 'what is the value of results?');
 });
 
 test("test", function() {
     var containsSelect = /select/.test("  select * from users ");
-    equal(__, containsSelect, 'does the string provided contain "select"?');
+    equal(true, containsSelect, 'does the string provided contain "select"?');
 });
 
 test("match", function() {
     var matches = "what if 6 turned out to be 9?".match(/(\d)/g);
-    ok(matches.equalTo([__, __]), 'what is the value of matches?');
+    ok(matches.equalTo(["6", "9"]), 'what is the value of matches?');
 });
 
 test("replace", function() {
     var pie = "apple pie".replace("apple", "strawberry");
-    equal(__, pie, 'what is the value of pie?');
+    equal("strawberry pie", pie, 'what is the value of pie?');
 
     pie = "what if 6 turned out to be 9?".replace(/\d/g, function(number) { // the second parameter can be a string or a function
         var map = {'6': 'six','9': 'nine'};
         return map[number];
     });
-    equal(__, pie, 'what is the value of pie?');
+    equal("what if six turned out to be nine?", pie, 'what is the value of pie?');
 });
 
 // THE END
diff --git a/topics/about_scope.js b/topics/about_scope.js
index efa802a0..b7f9ccdc 100644
--- a/topics/about_scope.js
+++ b/topics/about_scope.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module("About Scope (topics/about_scope.js)");
 thisIsAGlobalVariable = 77;
 
 test("global variables", function() {
-    equal(__, thisIsAGlobalVariable, 'is thisIsAGlobalVariable defined in this scope?');
+    equal(77, thisIsAGlobalVariable, 'is thisIsAGlobalVariable defined in this scope?');
 });
 
 test("variables declared inside of a function", function() {
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ test("variables declared inside of a function", function() {
     // this is a self-invoking function. Notice that it calls itself at the end ().
     (function() {
         var innerVariable = "inner";
-        equal(__, outerVariable, 'is outerVariable defined in this scope?');
-        equal(__, innerVariable, 'is innerVariable defined in this scope?');
+        equal("outer", outerVariable, 'is outerVariable defined in this scope?');
+        equal("inner", innerVariable, 'is innerVariable defined in this scope?');
     })();
 
-    equal(__, outerVariable, 'is outerVariable defined in this scope?');
-    equal(__, typeof(innerVariable), 'is innerVariable defined in this scope?');
+    equal("outer", outerVariable, 'is outerVariable defined in this scope?');
+    equal("undefined", typeof(innerVariable), 'is innerVariable defined in this scope?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_strings.js b/topics/about_strings.js
index 18f9c68a..88a79031 100644
--- a/topics/about_strings.js
+++ b/topics/about_strings.js
@@ -4,31 +4,31 @@ module("About Strings (topics/about_strings.js)");
 test("delimiters", function() {
     var singleQuotedString = 'apple';
     var doubleQuotedString = "apple";
-    equal(__, singleQuotedString === doubleQuotedString, 'are the two strings equal?');
+    equal(true, singleQuotedString === doubleQuotedString, 'are the two strings equal?');
 });
 
 test("concatenation", function() {
     var fruit = "apple";
     var dish = "pie";
-    equal(__, fruit + " " + dish, 'what is the value of fruit + " " + dish?');
+    equal("apple pie", fruit + " " + dish, 'what is the value of fruit + " " + dish?');
 });
 
 test("character Type", function() {
     var characterType = typeof("Amory".charAt(1)); // typeof will be explained in about reflection
-    equal(__, characterType, 'Javascript has no character type');
+    equal("string", characterType, 'Javascript has no character type');
 });
 
 test("escape character", function() {
     var stringWithAnEscapedCharacter  = "\u0041pple";
-    equal(__, stringWithAnEscapedCharacter, 'what  is the value of stringWithAnEscapedCharacter?');
+    equal("Apple", stringWithAnEscapedCharacter, 'what  is the value of stringWithAnEscapedCharacter?');
 });
 
 test("string.length", function() {
     var fruit = "apple";
-    equal(__, fruit.length, 'what is the value of fruit.length?');
+    equal(5, fruit.length, 'what is the value of fruit.length?');
 });
 
 test("slice", function() {
     var fruit = "apple pie";
-    equal(__, fruit.slice(0,5), 'what is the value of fruit.slice(0,5)?');
+    equal("apple", fruit.slice(0,5), 'what is the value of fruit.slice(0,5)?');
 });
diff --git a/topics/about_this.js b/topics/about_this.js
index 85185f04..1bab963b 100644
--- a/topics/about_this.js
+++ b/topics/about_this.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ test("'this' inside a method", function () {
 	var person = {
 		name: 'bob',
 		intro: function () {
-			return "Hello, my name is " + this.__;
+			return "Hello, my name is " + this.name;
 		} 
 	}
 	equal(person.intro(), "Hello, my name is bob", "If an object has a method can you access properties inside it?");
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ test("'this' on unattached function", function () {
 	
 	// if the function is not called as an object property 'this' is the global context 
 	// (window in a browser). This is an example. Please do not do this in practise.
-	window.__ = 'Peter';
+	window.globalName = 'Peter';
 	equal(alias(), "Hello, my name is Peter", "What does 'this' refer to when it is not part of an object?");
 });
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ test("'this' set explicitly", function () {
 	}
 
 	// calling a function with 'call' lets us assign 'this' explicitly
-	var message = person.intro.call({__: "Frank"});
+	var message = person.intro.call({name: "Frank"});
 	equal(message, "Hello, my name is Frank", "What does 'this' refer to when you use the 'call()' method?");
 });
 
diff --git a/topics/about_truthyness.js b/topics/about_truthyness.js
index 9b524c14..1b48421d 100644
--- a/topics/about_truthyness.js
+++ b/topics/about_truthyness.js
@@ -3,20 +3,20 @@ module("About Truthyness (topics/about_truthyness.js)");
 
 test("truthyness of positive numbers", function() {
     var oneIsTruthy = 1 ? true : false;
-    equal(__, oneIsTruthy, 'is one truthy?');
+    equal(true, oneIsTruthy, 'is one truthy?');
 });
 
 test("truthyness of negative numbers", function() {
     var negativeOneIsTruthy = -1 ? true : false;
-    equal(__, negativeOneIsTruthy, 'is -1 truthy?');
+    equal(true, negativeOneIsTruthy, 'is -1 truthy?');
 });
 
 test("truthyness of zero", function() {
     var zeroIsTruthy = 0 ? true : false;
-    equal(__, zeroIsTruthy, 'is 0 truthy?');
+    equal(false, zeroIsTruthy, 'is 0 truthy?');
 });
 
 test("truthyness of null", function() {
     var nullIsTruthy = null ? true : false;
-    equal(__, nullIsTruthy, 'is null truthy?');
+    equal(false, nullIsTruthy, 'is null truthy?');
 });