Hi,
Have you ever encountered a student like Tom in real life?
Never.
I don't want to be mean to Tom, but he seems to be situated somewhere between Piaget's 'pre-operational stage'(nonlogical, nonreversable thinking) and the 'concrete operational stage' (management of symbols related only to concrete objects). I would also say that he chooses 'concrete objects' that are not really concrete, he only thinks that they are. I also see a total absence of abstract thought. (Sorry Tom, it is nothing personal)
But how would you grade him?
In the 'Arts', grades are always worked out by knowledge and understanding. It is difficult to grade him on knowledge, as he is clearly just paraphrasing arguments from other sites. As far as understanding is concerned, it would be difficult to register him.
There is the possibility, of course, that 'Tom' is an evolutionist having a laugh.
Brian.