Only Those With The Most Common Sense Can Score 100% On This Quiz
- by Danielle Lasher
- – on
- in Mind Twisters
We've heard this before: Common sense isn't so common, is it? In fact, there are a lot of things that seem obvious to some of us, but that some people just don't know. Life would almost certainly be a lot easier for everyone if more people knew this stuff, though, wouldn't it? Most folks have a sense of what the sensible thing to do is in a given situation, also known as common sense. There's a web of knowledge about general stuff in the world that has nothing to do with the World Wide Web (apologies to Google). With the advent of the internet, it can seem like almost anything worth knowing can be outsourced to a computer or smartphone, but there are some things that it's helpful to know without resorting to electronics.
People with a lot of common sense probably know these things already, and if they don't, they might be able to guess. Life experience teaches us all a thing or two, and this is a chance to test that knowledge. Plus there's some stuff that's just interesting. Test these basic, and not-so-basic, topics, and there may be a few surprises. Everything's fair game on this trivia quiz, so give it a shot!
What is a good way to get a cab?
Ride hailing apps weren't always around, and sometimes (because of remoteness or some other reason) the situation calls for a good old-fashioned taxi anyway. Hailing a cab isn't always easy, though, and there's some etiquette for how it's done. It's important to do it properly to avoid dashed expectations or, worse, missing an event or a flight. In addition to whistling really loudly, or standing on a street corner and waving at any passing cabs, what's a good way to get one?
What's the best way to bait a fishhook?
Going fishing is one of those iconic childhood activities that some people continue into adulthood. True, there's a whole industry built around catching fish, and sport fishing is definitely for grownups, but basics are basics. Before tossing a hook into the water on the end of a line, something has to go onto the hook—bait. Tom Sawyer might have used a piece of bread, and most kids use a worm of some kind. So, what's the best way to bait a fishhook?
Where is a good place to jack the car up?
Flat tires can happen at the worst times. Keep track of the spare, and make sure it's in reasonable condition (and that it's possible to get it out fairly easily). There are a few steps required to change a tire safely and without hassle. Put the lug nuts into the hub cap once the tire is off, for example, so they don't get lost. Make sure the car is on a flat surface. Jack the car up far enough to remove the tire—from what point on the car?
What's something that's important to do when wrapping a gift?
Around birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries, and plenty of other special occasions, we give gifts to people we care about. It's nice to be able to wrap a present in such a way that it reflects the care behind the gift. That way, the recipient knows that it really is the thought that counts. Remove any price tags before wrapping the present, of course. We also know that the type of paper doesn't matter too much. What's something else that's important to do when wrapping a gift?
What should windows be wiped with?
Windows get dirty so slowly that it's hard to notice it's happening, but one day, the glass just makes everything outside look gray. It's then past time to clean those windows. Ammonia makes a good window cleaner, as does soap and water—depending on how dirty they've gotten, the soap and water might be the best bet. Just like washing glass dishes in the sink, glass windows will respond well to soap and water, too. What should they be wiped with?
What's a remedy that works best when having a cold?
Every fall and winter, people start sneezing and coughing. It's best to try and stay healthy all the time by making sure to eat properly, and to get enough rest. If possible, try to avoid close contact with people who are ill, but in any case, hand washing with soap and water is always a good idea. Despite these precautions, sometimes a person does come down with a cold. To get over the cold as quickly as possible, folk remedies abound, some better than others. What's a remedy that works?
What's something a person can do to get a refund on a purchase?
We all do it from time to time: buy something and then either have second thoughts afterwards, or discover that the thing just doesn't work. Most businesses will take the item back and give a refund to the customer, as long as a few simple steps are followed. Always make sure to notice what a store's returns policy is—often this will be printed on the receipt. What's something a person can do to get a refund on a purchase?
What's one good way to organize grocery shopping?
Grocery shopping is a chore for some, and for others it's kind of fun. Whether it's a favorite thing to do or not, having a shopping list makes the job a lot easier. This is also how to make sure there aren't four packages of ketchup in the house and no sandwich bread—write down which one it is that's gone. It's helpful if one uses some organization in getting through the store and packing the cart. From the options below, what's one good way to organize grocery shopping?
What is the best way to wash a car?
One chore that's more pleasant on a sunny day is to wash a car. If there's a way to do so without damaging plumbing or the septic system, go ahead and do this on the grass in the yard—this waters the grass while the car gets clean. The soap also helps protect the yard from some insects. Wax isn't as necessary now that most exterior parts on cars are made with plastics rather than metal. In what order should the job go?
What's an important thing to bring when taking a dog on a walk?
There are people who walk dogs for a living. It's a relaxing task, or should be, depending on how amenable to a walk the dog is. Dogs are pack animals, and they respond well to going along with their humans. They need exercise, and we humans need the exercise, too. A good leash is important, as is a sound working knowledge of the area—it's best to try not to get lost while out with Fido. What's something to be sure to do when taking a dog out for a walk?
What's the most common way to groom a cat?
Cats are beloved pets for some, and they perform the much-appreciated function of hunting mice and other household pests. Taking care of these companion animals is important. Good veterinary care helps keep a cat healthy, as does feeding properly formulated cat food and making sure the cat has access to fresh water. Sometimes, the cat's claws may need trimming, just like fingernails on a person do. Cats' fur seems to take care of itself, though. So what's the best, most common way to groom a cat?
What is the best way to light candles on a cake?
It's somebody's birthday, and there's a birthday cake for the occasion, and some number of birthday candles on top of the cake. Before everybody in the room starts singing, and before anyone can blow those candles out, it's necessary to light the birthday candles. The candles should definitely go on the cake before they're lit—that's some common sense that shouldn't escape even the most impractical people. What's a good way to go about lighting the birthday candles once they're on the cake, though?
What's a good way to go about tuning a guitar?
Before picking up a guitar to play it, especially if it's been sitting around unused for a while, the guitar needs to be tuned. No matter how many strings it has, or how fabulous the guitar player is, an out-of-tune guitar will sound pretty bad when strummed. Depending on weather and the condition of the strings, the tuning should last for a little while. It'll need doing every time to sound its best. What's a good way to go about tuning a guitar?
What's a good way to store dishes?
Kitchen design is big business, and it can be expensive. All kitchens need some basics to function the way they should, and after that, the rest is less important. A kitchen needs a cooking area, like a stove and an oven; a food storage area, like a refrigerator and a pantry; a place to prepare food, like a countertop; and somewhere to store dishes. Think about that last part, and use common sense. What's a good way to store dishes?
What is the best way to take a broken light-bulb out of a socket?
There are loads of jokes about changing light bulbs; this isn't one of them. Sometimes, in the process of trying to change a light bulb, the bulb breaks while it's in the light socket. This can happen either while trying to get a blown light bulb out, or while trying to tighten a new bulb after replacing the old one. In either case, there are tiny shards of broken glass everywhere, and the situation calls for some care. What's a good way to remove the broken part from the socket?
What can keep a pot from boiling over?
Cooking does involve boiling water now and then. To boil water, put it in a large pot, put the pot on the stove, and turn on the heat to high. What sometimes happens, especially if the pot isn't quite large enough, is that the pot boils over—it bubbles so high in the pot that the contents bubble over the sides and onto the stovetop, or onto the fire. That's not a good thing. What can keep a pot from boiling over?
What does one do when the rider knows that the oncoming bus isn't the one?
Anyone who's seen or waited for a bus knows that where there's one bus, there are often others. Where one bus stops, there are almost always other bus routes that stop at that spot, too. What's a person to do to minimize confusion? If the bus route is unfamiliar, one might need to wait for that bus and ask the driver where, exactly, it goes, before deciding it's the wrong one. What does one do when the rider knows that the oncoming bus isn't the one?
What is a good way to fold a newspaper so that it won't be so big that it hits others?
How many times does this happen: someone decides to read a newspaper on public transit, and somehow the person manages to get in the way of everyone in the immediate area? The newspaper is so wide that it's hitting at least two other people. There's a better way to go about it, and with a little common sense, it's not difficult. Some solve it by getting a different sized paper! Think—what would work better than opening the whole thing all the way up?
What is the first thing to do when ironing a shirt?
Not many people can afford to send all their shirts out to the cleaners to be pressed all the time. It's useful to know how to iron a shirt. Start with the right tools, like an iron, and a shirt. The shirt should be just slightly damp—spray it with a little water if it's too dry. There's a practical order in which to take care of the different parts of the shirt for best results. Which part should come first?
What is the best way to start cutting a tree?
Common sense sometimes means a tree has to be cut down, and not always as a holiday decoration. Using a chain saw, there's a place to start cutting that is safest. It's also where the operation will be most likely to get the tree down with minimal difficulty. Start with planning (and clearing, if needed) an area for the tree to fall, and then a path to get out of the way safely. Now it's time to make a first notch. Where?
What is the best thing for getting a fire started?
It's extremely useful to know how to build a fire. Even if it never proves necessary for survival, it's still nice to sit around a campfire, or in front of a cheerily burning fire in a fireplace. There's an art to it, and some basic know-how, too. The wood should be stacked carefully, and then different sizes of pieces of wood get added to get the fire going. The different sizes of wood have names. What's the first thing to get burning?
What is the best way to start shoveling a driveway?
Anywhere that snow falls, people have to clear the snow out of the way. Some people shovel snow from childhood and know exactly how. Some are fortunate enough to grow up in less harsh climates, though; when a rare snowfall hits for them, those folks are a bit at a loss. Not to worry—a good shovel, preferably lightweight metal, will help. Apart from dealing with whatever mess the street plowing leaves at the street end, there's a way to shovel a driveway that's the most sensible. What is it?
What is the best thing to use when getting things out of the hot oven?
It's only common sense that something that's been in an oven is going to be hot, right? When taking anything out of a hot oven, it might be helpful to take glasses off first—they can get fogged up at inconvenient moments. It's also useful to have a spot ready to put the hot thing down. Pull out the rack where the thing is cooking, just enough to be able to reach the thing easily. What should be in between that hot surface and anyone's hands?
What helps decrease the time a little when boiling water?
They say a watched pot never boils. That's an exaggeration, of course, but it does sometimes seem as if it's taking forever for the water to get to a rolling boil. A rolling boil is what's often required, and that's not just a couple of tiny bubbles here and there. A rolling boil means what it sounds like—the water is bubbling so much that the whole potful seems to be rolling over itself. What can be added to get to this point a little faster?
What was Kleenex first marketed as?
Facial tissues, by the trade name Kleenex, were introduced in 1924. They came in small packets, and just one color. Now, of course, we can get them with aloe in them, or in decorative boxes of different sizes. They're useful in a pinch as a substitute for paper napkins, paper towels, as bathroom tissue, even as a shield for the face. They're now mostly used as a disposable handkerchief, to wipe noses. They were originally sold, however, as a way to remove something. What was it?
What's the country of origin for the term "flea market"?
Flea markets are great fun to browse through; they're usually once a week, sometimes once a month. Some great finds turn up once in a while, and even if nothing of great value emerges, there's still something fascinating about looking through second-hand merchandise for sale. The original term was coined to refer to a market where the stuff for sale was all second-hand items that actually were likely to contain fleas. What's the country of origin for the term "flea market"?
When was the first time buttercream appeared in a recipe?
Desserts go back almost as far as food itself. Early desserts were sweet fruits with little else, though the Romans invented a kind of ice cream. Cake has been around for centuries, but frosting is a little more recent. Sugar sprinkled on cake seems to date from the 1600s. Icing started as some sugar syrup, then the most likely next step was boiled and whipped icing. What is known as buttercream cake frosting is an even more recent development. What's the year of the first known recipe for buttercream cake frosting?
What is included in the earths core?
All objects have gravity. The density and size of the object determine the gravity that the object will exert on other objects. Truthfully, the gravity of the earth should be much lower given the size of the planet, but something in the earth's core makes it denser. This higher density means that the planet has more gravity than it otherwise might. We could be living in gravity not too much greater than the moon's, but Earth has higher gravitational pull. What's in the core that makes the pull greater?
What type of pitch is the least strain on the pitcher's arm?
Baseball fans know that in pitching, it's all about stamina. A pitcher can throw a ball at 90 mph, but to have staying power in the game, that pitcher's arm has to be able to withstand throwing that ball over and over again. Not many pitchers are able to sustain extremely fast pitches for very long; ice on the elbow is a common sight in the dugout. One type of pitch is the least strain on a pitcher's arm, though. Which one?
What voices are more likely to be heard by the casual ear?
We have a natural tendency to listen to certain sounds more than others. The characteristics of sound vary according to the environment; some sounds carry better over distance, and voices with those qualities are more easily teased out from background noise. We listen more attentively to a certain pitch of voice than to the others. Which is it?
How do ants breathe?
Ants are fascinating creatures, in addition to being household pests sometimes. They function in colonies that almost exhibit a group consciousness, rather than individual awareness. Ants build elaborate tunneled nests. Relative to their body size, they're proportionately much stronger than humans—ants can lift many times their own body weight, and do so often. Ants have two stomachs. They communicate through smells. They smell using their antennae. They don't have lungs. If they don't have lungs, then how do they breathe?
Why do cows need to lay down?
Large mammals seem to have different needs from those of humans, but they do have some in common with us. In fact, all creatures need sleep in some form. Large farm animals like cows and horses seem to doze off no matter where they are, and it looks like they don't need to lie down at all. Some people regularly see cows sleep standing up. Cows might doze off while standing from time to time, but they need to lie down for something. What is it?
When do the hooves of horses get slower?
Some jobs are seasonal. Surprisingly, some trades depend on how the weather affects things like the growth of horse hooves. Trees and flower bulbs do their greatest root network developments during the winter; leaves grow more in spring. Horses need to have their hooves attended to by a farrier when their hooves grow too much. The farrier trims the hoof growth before putting shoes on the horse. When the hooves grow slower, they don't need to have the farrier come visit as often. When is that?
What are three more reasonable ingredients to use when sprayed by a skunk other than tomato juice?
Popular wisdom says that if a dog gets sprayed by a skunk, there's a solution: tomato juice. There was a memorable episode of The Brady Bunch where this happened. In fact, tomato juice actually won't fix skunk spray, on a dog or anyone else. It's much more effective to use a mixture of several reasonably common ingredients instead. What are they?
What is the main ingredient in the air we breathe?
As easy as breathing—air is all around us. We know that the part we need in order to function is the oxygen. But is that all that's present in the air? Common sense says it can't be—there are exhalations from people, and exhaust from engines, and all manner of other releases (water vapor, for example) in the atmosphere. One component is present in far higher amounts than any other. What's the main ingredient in the air we breathe?
Why did Victorians start wearing hats without tops?
A classic image of Victorian fashion is of a lady wearing a gigantic hat. The hats had very wide brims, and they were often decorated with flowers or ribbons. Similarly, ladies' hairstyles broke free of the powdered wigs of the past and men and women all wore their real hair out in public. This meant that they had to do something drastic if they wanted to change the color of their hair. Some Victorian ladies' hats came with a hole at the top. Why?
What are most cell phone batteries made of?
There is a type of cell phone battery which is drained more by shutting the phone off and turning it on again than it is by going into sleep mode. If it's this particular type, the battery can actually be damaged by letting it run all the way down before charging it up again. For other types of battery, the shutdown/restart process is not such a drain. This component is the one with which most modern cell phone batteries are made. Which one is it?
Even though William Phelps Eno invented the stop sign, what was the surprise to be found out about him?
There is an international convention on road signs and what they're supposed to mean. Some 68 countries abide by this set of guidelines. One type of sign that's common almost everywhere is a stop sign, which predates the international road sign convention. The stop sign is more widespread than even the international conventions. The red octagon we know from today's stop sign was first introduced in a journal article by a man named William Phelps Eno in 1900. What surprising thing is true of Mr. Eno?
How many seeds are in one cocoa pod?
Cocoa beans are where we get chocolate, and the process that takes those wonderful beans from the fields where they're dried to the chocolate bar anyone can buy in a store starts even further back. The beans are seeds that come from large pods that grow on cocoa trees. Each pod is cracked open to remove seeds, and these seeds are what we know as cocoa beans. The seeds are allowed to ferment, and then dried. How many in each pod?
What is a big leading factor of heart disease?
Obesity and heart disease are epidemic in the Western world, and these health problems are beginning to spread to other parts of the world, too. It's only been in the last twenty years or so that these problems have become so widespread. It's only natural that people are looking for ways to modify diets to try and counter these disturbing trends. Some foods have been common for hundreds of years, and others are recent innovations. What foods are most likely to contribute to heart disease?
How many different kinds of smells can the average human detect?
The human sense of smell is the earliest to develop in us as a species, and it's the most primitive we have. We share this ability with even single-celled organisms—they also respond to smell. A smell, or "odorant," goes straight from the top of the nasal cavity to the ends of the olfactory bulbs, and the olfactory bulbs connect to cranial nerves. From there, the sensations go straight back into the brain. How many kind of smell can humans detect?
What is one thing that should never be cleaned by vinegar?
There's a fashion for using cleaning ingredients that are as simple as possible. The idea is that these will in theory do less damage, and be less toxic. This is true for some ingredients, like vinegar (which is still dangerous in high enough concentrations), and less so for things like ammonia (which is still a powerful cleaning agent). Cleaning things with vinegar is often a great idea, but sometimes, it really isn't a good choice. What should not be cleaned with vinegar?
Why are there fans in computers?
A distinguishing feature of some computers is the amount of noise they make. The noise comes from two possible sources: the spinning of an internal disk drive, and the spinning of fans that are built into the inside of the computer. Some engineers try to find ways to get disk drives to be more solid so they don't spin; some try to find ways for fans to be quieter, or to find an alternative to fans entirely. Why are there fans in computers, anyway?
What is most household dust made of?
Dust appears everywhere a person looks, and even some places that can't be easily seen—the sides of books, for example. If there are people around, those people generate dust. It gathers on every surface, and has to be painstakingly cleaned off regularly or the buildup of dirt can do damage. Dust left for too long combines with hair and makes what are known as "dust bunnies." This is not the kind of bunny that's cute, though. What is dust made of?
Why does it matter what size plate is used for a particular meal?
Aesthetics sometimes have a real function. The presentation of food can make it taste better, for example; even though the flavor should be the same no matter how it looks, a nice looking serving seems to have better flavor. "Plating," or getting something onto a plate before serving it, makes a difference in a particular aspect of eating. It's also something chefs pay a lot of attention to in restaurants. Why does it matter what size plate is used for a particular meal?
What's readily available that can be used as a way to attract the minnows?
Survival in the woods is something most of us won't face. The skills necessary to build shelter, keep warm, and find food are still useful, though. Some techniques are helpful for forest; others for lakes. When lost in the wilderness near a body of water, it's possible to improvise a way to fish for minnows, which can either be eaten themselves or used as bait for bigger fish. What's readily available that can be used as a way to attract the minnows?
What is a useful salve for burns?
In a dire circumstance it is possible that no first aid kit may be available. With the contents of one's suitcase readily to hand, there are some items that will help with basic first aid. If someone has a burn that needs to be treated, something that most people have in their suitcase can be used to help. Clean the burn with cold water first, and then carefully spread a thin layer of some common substance over the burn. What is the substance?
What can be used to clean crayon off of wall?
It's a feature of childhood: drawing on the wall with crayons. Some parents decide to create a wall surface in a designated area where it's okay to draw on the wall. This can be accomplished with a large roll of extra wide paper, or using chalk and a painted-on chalkboard surface. Despite the best efforts and good intentions of even the most conscientious and resourceful parent, however, some crayon will probably end up on the wall. What can get it off?
What is a quick way to cool a car down?
A car left in the sun on a hot day gets many degrees hotter than the surrounding air. It's important to cool the car before getting in and trying to get going. There are a few ways to keep the car from getting too hot. A beach towel draped over the dashboard and steering wheel helps almost as much as one of those foil reflector shields that fit along the inside of the windshield. Once the car is already baking hot, though, there's a quick way to cool it down.
What is the most efficient speed for a car?
It's a good idea to try to drive in such a way that the car burns as little gas as possible. There are sound environmental reasons for this, and there are equally, and more immediately apparent, financial reasons. Gas is expensive! Using less of it saves money! Traveling at just past a particular speed will put the car's efficiency past maximum and push it to the inefficient side. Most cars are most efficient below a certain speed. What is that speed?