If you think that a pointless question be glad that you didn't have to sit the exams I sat back in the mid 80s.. questions on calculating drift by dropping a flare through the hull of the a/c ! "So class.. welcome to your first class-room day for the A380.. now.. by lifting this section of carpet... "
I believe that the extensive written's we face in Europe are a product of an attempt by our CAA to ensure an acceptable level of academic achievement by pilots. The exams are not only extensive they're designed to put candidates under pressure as the time limits can be very tight.
While I've heard criticism, particularly from American colleagues of this policy I would defend it. If anything it has more relevancy than that common in the US where airlines (The majors anyway) in order to ensure an acceptable level of academic achievement by their pilots usually require a four year college degree.. but the degree does not have to be in an aviation related subject.
I was amazed a few years ago when paired in the cockpit with an aviation veteran (he'd flown off a/c carriers during the Vietnam war and flown just about every heavy in his long career) was puzzled when during passage of some weather I mentioned the ITCZ.. he didn't know what I was referring to.