The opener's bid lights the road

Ellen Key, a Swedish author who died in 1926, said, "The educator must above all understand how to wait; to reckon all effects in the light of the future, not of the present."

I teach a lot of classes, especially during the early part of the year. I see some mistakes made time and time again. This deal highlights one of the most common. After East opens one heart as dealer, South makes a takeout double, and West passes, what should North do?

Assuming the advancer (the doubler's partner) does not have a hand suitable for no-trump, an inexperienced player answers a takeout double by bidding the suit that he prefers at a minimum level regardless of high-card count. He expects partner to be psychic in divining how many points he holds.