The Average Person Can't Pass This Common Sense Test. Can You?
- by Danielle Lasher
- – on
- in Mind Twisters
Want to make it through life? Then common sense is a must. It’s what enables a person to make those instinctual decisions off the cuff day in and day out. After all, problems can arise in all shapes and sizes every day. The smaller ones are easily handled as long as you have a bit of common sense. Having common sense is the ability to see things for what they are. Problems appear simple and practical, and good judgment is ultimately used to solve an issue.
Sometimes it’s those problems that appear really obvious afterwards that only a little common sense was necessary to solve in the first place. Our ability to recognize the problem, solve it through our understanding and make a decision happens so fast when it’s a minor matter. In fact, the sort of problems that require common sense usually don’t require too much thinking.
Though common sense isn’t really objective—meaning everyone has their own idea of what is practical—we’ve made a quiz that will put your good sense to the test. See if you have what it takes to deal with the everyday woes that may arise. It’s only practical that you’d want to know.
How many apples do you have if you take four away from the fruit bowl?
In the center of the room, there’s a bowl of fruit. You look down into the bowl and count up everything that’s in there: two bananas, five strawberries, three mangos and seven apples. After looking at the fruit for some time, you realize that a few aren’t ripe yet. Even further inspection shows that some are going bad. You start going through the bowl to remove the fruit that are becoming rotten. If you take away 4 apples, how many do you have?
What other country in the world did Spanish originate from— eventually coming to Latin America?
South America is comprised of multiple countries. Spanning these countries, several languages are spoken including Spanish, Portuguese, English, French and Dutch. Portuguese is the most prominently spoken language by a little, just barely edging out Spanish as the top most spoken language in the entire continent. As strange as it sounds, the language of Spanish, however, did not originally come from South America. With that being the case, what other country in the world did Spanish originate from— eventually coming to Latin America?
How much do all three of these animals weigh together?
Imagine there’s three types of animals: a cat, a rabbit and a dog. The cat and the rabbit each jump on a scale in the center of the room, weighing 10 pounds. Then the cat gets off the scale and the dog jumps on, weighing 20 pounds. Now the rabbit hops off and the cat gets back on, weighing 24 pounds. If the rabbit hops back on to the scale, how much do all three animals weight?
Which of the following is written correctly?
English grammar can be a pain sometimes. There are all kinds of rules to what words you can use in particular instances. The most important thing to remember is keeping the rules straight and taking care not to break them. Taking a look at a series of sentences, we want to choose the one that makes the most sense. You’ll need to take into account spelling, as well as phrasing and what sounds proper. Which of the following is written correctly?
If the sun rises in the east, which direction does it set down in?
Sunrises and sunsets can be some of the most beautiful sights ever. A sunrise is when the edge of the sun starts to peek up over hills and ascends into the sky. If there are clouds, it can often look even more colorful and spectacular. A sunset is when the sun descends back down, making its way around the other side of earth, bringing night. If the sun rises in the east, which direction does it set down in?
Which pageant was Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough a winner of?
Beauty pageants for women are a big deal. There’s a few major ones that happen every year. Last year, Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough was crowned, becoming the winner of this particular pageant. During the big moment the year’s previous pageant winner Deshauna Barber was the one who got to place the crown atop Kara’s head. Beauty pageants are more than just having looks, but about having talents and personality. Which pageant was Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough a winner of?
How many years occur for every leap year?
Some people forget about leap years. A leap year is when the calendar year adds an extra day. Why do we do this? It’s so the year remains in sync with the seasons, otherwise over the span of many years, there would be an eventual drift in time regarding dates. By adding an extra day, it prevents the seasons from shifting the calendar year. Most years, however, are not leap years. How many years occur for every leap year?
If you have the number 25, and you want to subtract the number five from it, how many times can you do this?
Riddles can be tricky and fun. Most times—but not always—it’s a simple phrase with a problem that’s usually easier to solve than it seems. Don't think too hard about it and go with what your gut says. Oftentimes it’s simply because the question is meant to be answered literally. Here’s a simple math riddle. If you have the number 25, and you want to subtract the number five from it, how many times can you do this?
Of the following options, which one is the most important when it comes to your own survival?
There are two types of people in the world: those who like camping and those who don’t. Some people like to connect with nature and get out in the wilderness. Others don’t see any point in roughing it when you have everything you could need at home. Sometimes, though, you may find yourself lost or stuck somewhere and survival instincts come into play. Of the following options, which one is the most important when it comes to your own survival?
If you encounter a mountain lion in the wild, what is the best approach to dealing with it?
In the wilderness, there are all kinds of dangers one might encounter while on a walkabout. One such danger includes mountain lions, which are often on the prowl while the sun is out. These felines can get up to two to three feet tall in size and weigh 220 pounds as adults. They like to hunt, which makes them especially troublesome to run into since they’re probably pretty hungry. If you encounter a mountain lion in the wild, what is the best approach to dealing with it?
If we celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day, what is Memorial Day about?
Veterans Day is a nationwide holiday where we annually recognize those who’ve served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is an immense honor to be able to serve one’s country. Thankfully we have a day where we can recognize those who are willing to put their lives on the line to serve this nation and its citizens. Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11th of every year. If we celebrate our veterans on Veterans Day, what is Memorial Day about?
Which one of the phrases below is the meaning of the AMBER alert system?
Sadly, we live in a society where criminal acts can occur. That’s why the AMBER system is in place. This originally started in the United States back in 1996, named after Amber Hagerman from Arlington, Texas. AMBER also uses the help of other systems such as radio, internet and even televisions. The AMBER system continues to be in place today after 20 years and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. AMBER is an acronym that stands for these five words. Which one of the phrases below is the meaning of the AMBER alert system?
What other country celebrates Martin Luther King Day along with the United States?
One of the most influential figures to come out of America was Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. He was an African-American leader in the civil rights movement. Sadly, he was assassinated for his brave efforts back in the 1970s. Ever since then—to commemorate this American hero—the third Monday of every January is observed as a holiday. It’s important to recognize heroes who have laid down their lives for others. What other country celebrates Martin Luther King Day along with the United States?
What does “ASAP” stand for?
People use acronyms all the time in order to communicate a point quickly and effectively. Sometimes these acronyms can be used so commonly that we forget what the original acronym even stands for. Each letter in an acronym represents a word. When all the words are spelled out, they revealed a longer statement (that’s usually a mouthful). One of the most often used acronyms is the word “ASAP” which is used in everyday situations. What does “ASAP” stand for?
If the weather announcer has reported that there will be an east wind, which direction is the wind blowing from?
You flip on the TV and a reporter on the local news has an update on the weather. She advises, “Keep warm. We’re expecting to have an east wind coming in by the afternoon. There could be risk of wildfires through Saturday so stay alert until the winds die down.” If the weather announcer has reported that there will be an east wind, which direction is the wind blowing from?
If someone had a pet peacock, and they discovered that it had laid an egg, what should they do with the egg?
There are all kinds of birds with unique traits different from each other. One of the weirdest birds is the peacock. They’re usually very beautiful with bright blue and green colors. Although it’s not widely known or believed, peacocks are capable of flying. This is odd considering they prefer walking on the ground with their feathers sticking out. If someone had a pet peacock, and they discovered that it had laid an egg, what should they do with the egg?
Which letter in the English alphabet fulfills all of these three criteria?
You have the entire alphabet from which to choose one letter. Try starting with A and go through every letter—or you can just cheat by looking at the four options below. There are three criteria but only one option below that suits your needs. The first criteria is that this letter flies. The second criteria is that this letter sings. The third and final criteria is that this letter stings. Which letter in the English alphabet fulfills all of these three criteria?
Eventually, he gets home at 4:00 PM. From the time Bobby left school to when he got home, how long did his journey take him?
It’s been a long day at school and now it’s time for Bobby to go home. When he reaches the front, he’s too late to catch the bus—which leaves at 3:20 PM. Upset, Bobby decides to hang around and chat with people for 10 minutes before leaving. Once he’s walking on the road, he takes some time at the park. He spends about seven minutes skipping stones on the lake. Eventually, he gets home at 4:00 PM. From the time Bobby left school to when he got home, how long did his journey take him?
If we take a series of numbers, such as 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, what does it equal? One of the following options contains the answer.
Math comes naturally for some, harder for others. Some of the most basic operations in Math that is usually taught at an early stage are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Looking at a basic problem, we’re able to solve it as we go as long as we know how addition works. If we take a series of numbers, such as 1 + 2 + 3 + 4, what does it equal? One of the following options contains the answer.
Which way do you turn your clocks in the spring and fall?
The United States uses a system called Daylight Saving Time, where everyone is required to change their clocks two times every year. This can be a very confusing process, as it requires everyone to break out of the typical rhythm of their lives to adjust to something that could have detrimental impacts on their scheduling. Making it even more confusing, for one of the times you need to switch your clock back one hour, while the other you set it one hour ahead. Which way do you turn your clocks in the spring and fall?
Of the following animals, which one is the smallest?
Animals come in all shapes and sizes. There are some bigger than people, while others are smaller. Some of them inhabit oceans, while others are underground in small tunnels. It’s as if humans are smack dab in the middle of the spectrum, with some of the largest animals being whales, while the smallest could be the tiniest bacteria (yup, those count as organisms too). Of the following animals, which one is the smallest?
Of the following options, which form does water take when heated?
Water takes on several different forms. To be exact, there are three different shapes water can take. Depending on the temperature and environment determines which form. When water is at room temperature, it’s a liquid—which takes the shape of whatever it’s in. When the temperature is cold, water takes a solid form—freezing into ice. When water is boiled, the temperature is heated—becoming a third form. Of the following options, which form does water take when heated?
What is the average life expectancy of a man this day in age?
Since 1970, people have been living longer. According to statistics, the average person lives a whole eight years more than they did in the ‘70s. When comparing states across the country, the life expectancy is higher in Hawaii—while it shows a decrease in Washington D.C. There’s also less of a disparity between the amount of time men and women are expected to live. What is the average life expectancy of a man this day in age?
Of the following options, what does the acronym for KISS stand for?
The rock band KISS is legendary. The band members, named Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley are known for being really theatrical in their presentation. Their concerts are known for having crazy makeup and hairdos, fire breathing and lots of tongues sticking out. While the band is famous for their hit songs and iconic personality, many don’t know what the word KISS stands for. Of the following options, what does the acronym for KISS stand for?
Who is the surgeon?
Let’s hope this scenario never happens. Here’s the story: Imagine that a man and his son get into a horrible car accident. The man had suffered so much that he died while he was on the way to the hospital. The kid, on the other hand, survived and hung on for dear life. Meanwhile, he’s taken to the E.R. When they prepare the boy for surgery, however, something happens. The surgeon gasps, saying, “I can’t operate, that’s my son!” Who is the surgeon?
Out of the following, which one does SOS stand for?
Whenever a ship crashes or is stranded on line, chances are an SOS is employed to send for help. No, we’re not talking about the Rihanna song here. It’s almost become cliché to see SOS in movies or TV shows because it’s so commonly used (even in situations unrelated to seafaring where someone just needs help). There are a few options provided below regarding what this acronym represents. Out of the following, which one does SOS stand for?
If a ball is launched 10 feet away from a player and comes back, how is this possible with a soccer ball?
Soccer is one of those popular sports the whole world enjoys. Arguably, it’s the biggest sport ever. For one, it doesn’t require too much in order to play it—just a ball and some jerry-rigged goal posts. It’s become something of a phenomenon especially in the 20th and 21st centuries. Remember, a soccer ball can only be kicked with a foot (unless you’re a goalie, in which case you can use hands). If a ball is launched 10 feet away from a player and comes back, how is this possible with a soccer ball?
Let’s say that the room you’re in is completely dark, but you know you’re near a candle, a wood stove and also a gas lamp on the table nearby. In your hand is just one match. Which one do you light first?
It’s never fun to be lost, especially when you’re in a dark place. A dark place can be difficult to navigate yourself around, taking special care not to run into anything that might injure you. Let’s say that the room you’re in is completely dark, but you know you’re near a candle, a wood stove and also a gas lamp on the table nearby. In your hand is just one match. Which one do you light first?
Should you ever get trapped in a car that’s sinking under water, what is the best way to make an escape?
Let’s hope this never happens—though it’s good to be prepared in case it does. If you somehow find yourself trapped in a car that’s sinking underwater, you’ll want to do what you can to get out of it fast. In some cases, you might land without harm though the car is slowly filling up with water. The most important thing to do in these situations is not to panic. Should you ever get trapped in a car that’s sinking under water, what is the best way to make an escape?
What is the name of the fourth child?
Don’t try to think too hard about this next one. It’s only a simple story, and then you have to figure out the answer. The story goes that a family lives in a small house. It’s an ordinary family like any you might see. Bob lives there, along with Bob’s father—who has four children in all. Three of the children are named Sawyer, Diana and Tom. What we’re trying to figure out, though, is who the fourth child is. What is the name of the fourth child?
What does the word “golf” stand for?
The game of golf has been around since the 15th century. It originated from Scotland, though some are able to point back to earlier civilizations as having similar games. In modern times, it has been associated with being a gentleman’s game—having received the reputation as being a sport for older affluent men. The truth is that anyone can play golf if they want to, no matter what their gender or ethnicity is. What does the word “golf” stand for?
When spelled out, how many numbers between 1 and 100 have the letter "A" in them?
This one requires a second of hard thinking. Hopefully though, you don’t have to write it all out in order to come up with the right answer. You’re going to first look at the numbers one through 10. Then you’re going to look at 11-40. Next, look at 41-80. Last but certainly not least, take a look at 81-100. If you were to take those groups of numbers and spell them out into actual words, how many numbers have the letter “A” in them?
What is the reason for the following?
The job of a cartographer must be difficult. If you imagine all the different regions and landscapes one has to deal with when creating a map, it boggles the mind. For example, if someone must map a dry area where it’s most in common with a desert, there may be challenges for the cartographer. Let’s focus only on the end result, and what might make the map that’s created based on a desert inaccurate or unreliable in the long run. What is the reason for this?
What does the acronym “RSVP” stand for?
Whenever you throw a party, typically you want to know how many guests are going to be there, so you can best be prepared. This is what you call sending out an “RSVP” to all your invitees in order to gauge the number of guests. When someone is the recipient of an “RSVP,” it’s good etiquette to give the host your answer about whether you’re going to the party or not. What does the acronym “RSVP” stand for?
Of the following, what is the best way to help a victim who’s been bitten by a potentially venomous snake?
It would be really unlucky to be bitten by a snake. Some snakes carry venom—which makes it all the more dangerous. In an event where a snake bites someone, there are lots of different ways one could continue. There is only one good way, however, and it’s not pretty. In a situation where the victim’s life hangs in the balance, it’s important to execute this task perfectly with a limited amount of time. Of the following, what is the best way to help a victim who’s been bitten by a potentially venomous snake?