Take The Common Sense Quiz And We'll Reveal Your Type

According to Collins Dictionary, the official definition of common sense is one's natural ability to make a sound judgement and to behave in an appropriate and sensible manner (basically in a way that befits the situation at hand). Common sense is not like math or sport. It's not something that one can study or get better at. One either has it or not. Those who have it are seen as reliable, practical and trustworthy. And those who don't have it... well, no one wants to be stuck in a tricky situation with those who lack common sense!

Those who think they lack common sense should not distress however. According to Psychology Today, common sense is neither very common nor is it even sense. After all, if we all possessed common sense we wouldn't make the decisions that we make on a daily basis. We wouldn't indulge in junk food and expect to stay lean and healthy. We wouldn't buy scratch cards in the hopes of becoming millionaires. And we wouldn't buy things that we can't afford to buy.

In fact, it has been argued time and time again that instead of aiding us, common sense actually forces us to make poor decisions. Regardless of whether those taking this quiz buy the idea of common sense or not, they should all pass this quiz! Not that we'll be judging anyone - all we're doing is revealing everyone's type!

Question 1

How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 15?

There are two types of people in the world: those who love math and those who can’t stand it. The majority of people probably fall in the latter category because let’s be honest – math is tough. Still, regardless of whether we are passionate about the subject or not, most of us can do simple arithmetic. The above question is just that (simple arithmetic), which is why most people should get it right. But be careful – don’t forget to use your common sense for this one too.

Question 2

How to open a bottle with no opener?

Imagine this: you’re incredibly thirsty and all you have is an unopened bottle of Coke. Normally you’d be excited (who doesn’t love Coke?) but you have forgotten your bottle opener. You’re too thirsty to wait (either for a chance to purchase another beverage or for someone to bring over a bottle opener) so you must find a way of opening it without the bottle opener. Which one of the four options above would you use to successfully open your bottle of Coke?

Question 3

Is there a 4th of July in England?

4th of July is no ordinary date, at least not in the U.S. Indeed, in the U.S. the 4th of July is better known as Independence Day. As far as holidays go, it’s a pretty big deal. The day is used to celebrate and commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was adopted all the way back in 1776 and it declared that the 13 U.S. colonies were now free and independent states and in no way connected to Britain. Is 4th of July as a date exclusive to the U.S.? Or does it exist in England too?

Question 4

How many 2 cent stamps will there be in a dozen?

When you think about it, it’s kind of strange that people still post letters. After all, today most of us have access not only to phones but also to unlimited WiFi. As such, there are countless of ways that we can communicate with those that we love and those that we care about. For example, we can call them or text them, send them an e-mail or even message them on one of our social media apps. Nonetheless, there is something very personal about a letter or a postcard which is perhaps why the postal system is still thriving to this day.

Question 5

True or False – Wikipedia is updated by qualified professionals

Let’s be honest – when it comes to doing research, nothing can beat Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a great source of facts. There is a Wikipedia page on pretty much everything which is why we turn to it whenever we have a question that we need answering. Of course, Wikipedia is not always a hundred percent correct – some even deem it wildly unreliable – but then again, neither are textbooks. But who knows who is it that updates Wikipedia? In other words, is the statement above – Wikipedia is updated by qualified professionals – true or false?

Question 6

Which of the below can be used to clean a wound?

We’ve all been there – we’ve fallen down or we’ve bumped into a sharp edge and were left with a cut. It’s not particularly bad – it doesn’t seem like the cut needs stitches for example – but nonetheless it is quite grubby and could probably do with a bit of cleaning. But let’s say your first aid kit is empty, or you simply haven’t got one. Which of the below four objects – water, coca cola, lemon juice or spit - could you use to clean your wound?

Question 7

What kind of screwdriver is this?

A screwdriver is one of those basic tools that everyone should own. Screwdrivers are incredibly handy. Indeed, pretty much anything that needs installing at home will probably require a screwdriver. Of course, there are numerous different types of screwdrivers out there. Two types of screwdrivers are especially popular. One of them can be seen in the image above. Who knows what it is called? Make sure that you purchase the above screwdriver in varying sizes – you don’t want to mangle a screw just because you were using the wrong size screwdriver!

Question 8

How often should car oil be changed?

We all want our cars to run as smoothly as possible which is why it is important that we perform auto maintenance procedures once in a while, including the changing of oil. After all, a car’s engine needs oil if it is to run smoothly. Getting an oil change is important because it can help your car avoid the development of complicated issues that could require not only an engine repair but also a full engine replacement sometime in the future. But who knows just how often car oil should be changed?

Question 9

Shave against the hair or with the grain?

Shaving is no fun. It’s annoying and it’s messy. And yet it has to be done, regardless of whether you are growing a beard or not. Shaving can also be painful, especially if you are doing it wrong. As such, it is important to know the correct way to shave. So, who knows whether one should shave against the hair or with the grain? One option will result in a smooth shave, the other could cause razor burn and ingrown hairs.

Question 10

When haggling for a price, always start...?

Some people are natural born hagglers. They seem to always get the best price for everything and are not at all embarrassed to negotiate for hours on end. Others on the other hand despise haggling and would rather pay more than engage in a conversation that centers on money. Still, in certain situations haggling is expected so unless you are happy to avoid making purchases altogether, it is a good idea to know the basics of haggling. So, when haggling for a price, should you start low or high?

Question 11

What is needed to change a tire?

Every driver should know be able to change a flat tire. You can get a flat tire pretty much anywhere and it is not a good idea to rely on others to save you in a roadside emergency. After all, you could get a flat tire on a deserted road at night with no one around. You might be thinking: but then I can just ring a professional and get it sorted with minimal hassle. That’s true but once again it is not a good idea to rely on your phone either. It might be out of battery or it might have no signal. In some cases knowing how to change a tire could very well save your life.

Question 12

What is the largest continent both by land area and population?

You don’t have to be passionate about geography to know that the earth is divided into seven different continents (a fancy name for large – and distinct – land masses that make up the surface of planet earth). But having an interest in geography might help you answer this particular question – what is the largest continent both by land and area population? No interest in geography? Don’t worry – this question can also be answered by using common sense. Plus, we’ll give you a few hints. The largest continent covers almost 9 percent of the earth’s surface and it also has the longest series of coastlines (National Geographic).

Question 13

What is a cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrencies have been all over the news as of late hence why those who are in any way interested in what is happening around them should ace this question. The most famous cryptocurrency out there is without doubt bitcoin. After all, it was the first cryptocurrency to be created. It was invented by a man known as “Satoshi Nakamoto” in 2008 but was not put into use until 2009. Three years later rival cryptocurrencies emerged and in 2012 cryptocurrencies made first headlines. Nowadays cryptocurrencies are firmly lodged in the popular consciousness.

Question 14

Which of the below is most commonly used to start a fire?

Most of us will never find ourselves in a situation where we will need to make a fire from scratch. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t learn how to make one anyways. After all, you never know where life will take us. Sometime in the future the ability to build a fire from the materials that we have at hand could very well save our lives. So, which of the above rocks is best for building a fire? This rock doesn't just come in handy when making a fire - it has also been used to make tools for millions of years.

Question 15

Is it okay to drink sea water in a survival situation?

Once again, it is unlikely that any one of us will ever find ourselves in the middle of the ocean with no drinking water or food at hand. Nonetheless, knowing how to act in a survival situation is quite important. So, who thinks that they know the answer to the question above – is it okay to drink sea water in a survival situation? This one is quite logical hence why even those who have only a shred of common sense should be well able to answer this question.

Question 16

Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

Let’s be honest – most of us don’t own a physical dictionary, at least not any more. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t use dictionaries at all. Sure, the spelling and grammar tool on Microsoft Word is incredibly helpful and apps such as Grammarly have made our lives – and the chore that is called essay writing – that much easier. Still, sometimes Word might not recognize the that word we are attempting to use, especially if we are bad spellers. In cases like these, a dictionary can be our best friend.

Question 17

February in a Leap Year has how many days?

As most people are probably well aware, a Leap Year is no ordinary year. During Leap Year the month of February changes. Leap Year is pretty important. According to Info Please, Leap Year helps us synchronize the calendar year with the solar year (basically the length of time that the earth needs to complete its orbit around the sun). In Ireland, it is common for women to propose to their boyfriends during Leap Day whereas in Scotland it is generally believed that those born on Leap Day are unlucky (Time and Date).

Question 18

Before driving in snowy conditions it is important to do what?

Most drivers are well aware that driving in snowy conditions requires plenty of practice not to mention preparation. More often than not snowy conditions make driving a real challenge and at times can even lead to serious accidents. As such, it is essential that each driver knows how to prepare himself and the car before embarking on a journey in the snow. What is one of the most important things that needs to be done before a drive in a snowy terrain?

Question 19

How can water be purified?

Here we have another common sense question that could potentially save your life in a survival situation. Finding water and being able to disinfect it is without doubt one of the top survival priorities in an emergency situation, regardless of whether you find yourself lost in the woods or if your town has been hit by a natural catastrophe. So, out of the four options above – adding apple peels to it, boiling it, freezing it or adding vitamin B to it - which one would you go for if you needed to purify water?

Question 20

Which one of the below stars is the closest to earth?

Looking up at the starry sky in the middle of the night feels pretty magical. There is something about the vast sky above us – and the countless of bright little stars that stud it – that make us, and our lives, feel so insignificant. Indeed, tilting our head upwards on one of our evening strolls is a great way to get perspective on life. It might seem like stars are scattered through space in a haphazard manner, but that is not the case! In fact, stars are gathered in large groups known as galaxies. The Milky Way alone consists of as many as 100 thousand million stars (European Space Agency)!

Question 21

What two colors can be mixed to get the color orange?

Don’t worry - you don’t need to be a painter or a fine art connoisseur to have a chance at acing this question. Like most questions on this quiz this one requires only common sense. As most people are probably well aware, mixing paints to get new colors is incredibly easy (not to mention fun!) Primary colors (basically the color red, the color yellow and the color blue) can be mixed either together or with the color black or color white to get all of the colors of the rainbow!

Question 22

The largest ocean in the world is...?

An ocean is an incredibly large body of salty water. According to World Atlas, oceans cover slightly more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface. While no one is a hundred percent sure as to how oceans formed it is generally believed that they came about in a period known as the Hadean period, which was the period responsible for the emergence of life form on earth. Historically, it was assumed that the world was made up of four oceans, these four oceans being the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian and the Arctic. However, many also like to count the Antarctic (or the Southern) ocean as well. But which one of the five oceans is the largest?

Question 23

Where is the Colosseum located?

The Colosseum is a huge stone amphitheatre that was commissioned in A.D. 70-72 and that was officially opened in A.D. 80. Back in the day it was known as the Flavian Amphitheater. It was there that people flocked to watch gladiatorial combats and breathtaking animal fights. According to History, the Colosseum was actively used for centuries but later fell into disuse. Indeed, right up until the 18th century it was seen as nothing more than a source of building materials. Today it is a huge tourist attraction. But where does it stand?

Question 24

A baker’s dozen is...?

Everyone knows that a dozen is 12, but what is a baker’s dozen? Is it 11, 13, or 14? Or is it still 12? In other words, how many buns could you expect to get if you went to a bakery and asked them for a baker’s dozen? Not that a baker’s dozen is practiced as widely as it once was. Indeed, a baker’s dozen came about out of necessity and was practiced almost religiously back in the Middle Ages. Nowadays however it is very rare to hear anyone even mention the phrase a baker's dozen!

Question 25

How often does Leap Year come around?

We’ve already mentioned that Leap Year is necessary if we want to keep our Gregorian calendar aligned with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. According to Time and Date, Leap Year was first introduced more than 2,000 years ago. And the man who introduced Leap Year? Well, he was pretty famous. You've probably heard of him. His name was Julius Caesar. The formula that was used back then – back when the Julian calendar was used by most – resulted in too many Leap Years but this was not corrected until 1,500 or so years later when the Gregorian calendar became widespread.

Question 26

Will dropping an egg on a concrete floor crack it?

Eggs are pretty fragile. Only too often we break them on our way home from the shop. And sometimes no matter how gently we handle them we still end up with a crushed egg or two purely because the box had been already mishandled in the shop! Of course, eggs might also slip out of our hands as we are baking or they might crack as we are dropping them into a pot. The former isn’t so bad – if we are baking we need to break the eggs anyways but the latter is always very annoying, especially if we are hoping to indulge in delicious hard boiled eggs!

Question 27

Jimmy’s father has three kids. The first two are named Sam and Sim. What is the name of the third kid?

While in theory naming kids sounds fun in reality it is anything but. More often than not the names that we once found charming seem old-fashioned or even silly when we finally get a chance to use them. Plus, reaching a compromise with one’s partner is much harder than it sounds and nine times out of ten leads to serious arguments. Naming one kid is hard enough. Imagine how hard it must be to name three! Jimmy’s father seems to have done alright however.

Question 28

Which is greater – six dozen or half a dozen dozens?

How is your math? If you found the subject easy in school then you should have no trouble acing this question. If on the other hand you struggled with it (or still struggle with it) you might find this question somewhat problematic. Still, when you think about, this question is rather easy. It is basic arithmetic hence why pretty much everyone should have a decent chance at passing this mathematical problem! Think you know the right answer? Prove it by selecting the correct option below.

Question 29

Which of the below is NOT a type of apple?

Apples are probably one of the most popular fruits out there, and for good reason. They are delicious, portable, and easy to eat. They are also easy to acquire and can be found in pretty much every single shop around the world. Best of all one doesn’t need special conditions to grow apples. While certain fruits such as bananas and pineapples only grow in warm exotic countries, apples can grow pretty much anywhere. Plus, there are many types of apples out there which means that there is no way you can get bored of them!

Question 30

What is the official language of Portugal?

Portugal is one of those countries that have been blessed with amazing weather. Sure, it might be incredibly warm there during the summer but in winter the temperature is incredibly pleasant. Go down to the Algarve region and you are bound to see people sunbathing in the middle of December! Apart from the weather Portugal is also known for its delicious cuisine and especially for its fish and its custard tarts. Throw in the friendly people and the cheap coffee, and you will have a hard time finding a more ideal country to visit for holidays. But what language do they speak in Portugal?

Question 31

A millennium is how many years?

To make things easier humans tend to measure long stretches of time in specific units. For example, most of us measure stretches of time in years but time is also measured in decades, centuries and millenniums. Who knows how many years are in a millennium? As far as questions go, this one is pretty easy. Nonetheless, time is pretty confusing (and is only a social construct according to many) so take your time when answering this question. When you’re ready, go ahead and pick one of the four options above.

Question 32

Which century are we in now?

We mentioned above that to make things easier, we as humans measure stretches of time in very particular units. One such unit is known as a century. So, who thinks that they know the century that we are in now? Are we currently in the 20th century, the 21st century, the 22nd century or the 23rd century? Once again this question is quite simple and only requires that you use your common sense. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and select the right answer from the options available above!

Question 33

What is the capital of Russia?

Russia is a fascinating country. According to Atlas and Boots, Russia is the world’s largest country, at least in terms of its area size. It also has the world’s longest railway known as the Trans-Siberian which would take 152 hours and 27 minutes to complete, but only when going non-stop. Another curious fact about Russia is that it lies between Europe and Asia – only one quarter of its territory is in Europe, the rest is in Asia! Name the capital city of this curious country.

Question 34

Which of the below months are winter?

If you love weather that permits you to indulge in all things cozy (think warm socks, endless supply of tea, lit fireplaces, staying indoors for days at a time and spending lots of time with your loved ones) then you probably love winter. Sure, winter can be dark, cold and sad. After all, quite a few people fall prey to depression at this time of the year. But it is also the time of the year when we get snow (which means cold feet of course but also snowmen and ice skating) and it is also the time of the year when people try to be kinder.

Question 35

What is the bestselling book of all time?

Those who love books should have no difficulty answering this question. Of course, that does not mean that those who are not into reading will automatically get this one wrong. In fact, while being a bookworm might help you ace this question, it is not at all necessary to have a passion for the written word to pass this question with flying colors. Indeed, as far as questions go, this one is all about logic and using your common sense!

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