Can We Guess Your Age Based on Your Life Skills?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can We Guess Your Age Based on Your Life Skills?
Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Have you ever forged iron? How about made your own clothes from the skin of a deer/moose/elk? Probably not, right? Yet, those ancient life skills were the very foundation of a society long since past. Today, we're more well-versed in how to troubleshoot a computer, find the best seats at a concert or sporting event, or make our own cold brew at home. Not all that long ago even, maybe our parents' and grandparents' generation, people could do things that have almost become a lost art these days: driving a stick shift, balancing a checkbook, finding a date without the help of a smartphone app. Some people – maybe you! – possess a variety of skills that cross what we might consider generational boundaries. Maybe you're really adept at sewing, but you can also craft a mean tweet! That makes you pretty well-rounded, doesn't it?

Ever considered how what you excel at might give away your age (or your age at heart)? Choose the best answers in the quiz that follows, and sit back and watch as we narrow down your age based on your answers. It might surprise you ... or you might surprise us with your gnarly know-how of how a card catalog works. Choose the answer that best represents your skill level and find out if you're aging gracefully or young at heart.

Can you tie a tie or would you need an extra set of hands?
Why would I wear a tie?
Of course!
Every day when I go to work.
If I had to, for a job interview ... maybe.

Advertisement

Do you know how to start a fire without a match?
Does using a lighter count?
Yes, I learned it in Scouts.
I've done it twice this week!
Not a chance.

Advertisement

Can you remove the SIM card from your phone without watching a tutorial?
Yes, but why would I?
What's a SIM card?
From three types of phones.
With a little effort, yes.

Advertisement

Do you know how to write in cursive or is printing more your style?
I can, but I prefer chicken scratch.
It's the only way I write.
Is that a bad word?
Yes, and quickly too!

Advertisement

Can you drive a stick shift without stalling the vehicle out?
What's a stick shift?
I can't drive anything!
I tried to learn, but no.
I drive one now!

Advertisement

Do you know how to leave a review—positive or negative?
Yes, because I read them when buying.
Leave it where?
I'm leaving one for this quiz right now.
Only if I'm angry.

Advertisement

Do you know how to send a snap or would you need someone to show you?
A snap?
Sent two since this quiz started.
I've outgrown that.
I'd need someone to show me.

Advertisement

Can you change your own oil or do you prefer to pay someone to do it?
What, and skip Uber?
I could probably muddle through.
Been doing it for years.
I'd rather pay someone else.

Advertisement

Can you change the channel without a remote or would you be stuck on the same channel forever?
You're not serious?
Used to do it all the time!
[Blank stare]
If I can get off the couch.

Advertisement

Do you know what a card catalog is and where you might find one?
That sounds vaguely familiar.
Yes, and how to file using one!
No clue.
It was required learning in school.

Advertisement

Can you stream music through your car's audio without asking for help?
That's my jam!
I don't even know what "stream" means.
Yes, using two different streaming services.
If I had someone's help.

Advertisement

If you had to go to the bank, would you know how to deposit a check?
No, I only do mobile deposit.
Of course. Checks are fastest for me.
What's a check?
My Mom used to do that all the time.

Advertisement

If you absolutely had to make a call, would you know how to dial a rotary phone?
My grandma used to have one of those.
I still own one!
I know how to dial a smartphone.
I remember it well.

Advertisement

Big job interview coming up. Could you sew a button on your favorite shirt?
I seem to remember learning how to do that.
In no time flat!
Nope, that shirt's going in the trash.
No, but I could find someone to do it for me.

Advertisement

If you were lost, could you read a road map to get you to your destination?
I have one in my visor.
What happened to the GPS?
I don't even own a road map.
North, south, east AND west.

Advertisement

Do you know how to compose or respond to a tweet?
In 10 seconds or less!
Only if I have to.
Does that involve a bird?
Tweets are for old people.

Advertisement

How often do you change your bedsheets?
As my schedule allows.
Frequently.
Whenever someone else does laundry.
When company's coming over.

Advertisement

Can you build a budget and then use it to guide your financial decisions?
I don't need a budget.
Yes, that's important.
Yes, I live on a fixed income.
I can, but I don't like it.

Advertisement

Do you know how to check interest rates and refinance a mortgage?
Thinking about it.
My house is finally paid off!
What's a mortgage?
Yes, a few years back.

Advertisement

Think back to your school days. Have you ever covered a textbook in a brown paper bag?
I remember it well!
Why would I do that?
Seems like I've heard about this.
Most definitely.

Advertisement

Have you ever made a mixtape for yourself or someone else?
I have a playlist on Spotify?
No, but I remember those.
I've heard of a mixtape, I think...
I think I still have some in the attic!

Advertisement

Do you know how to set a traditional alarm clock or is a phone alarm more your speed?
I can set an alarm on my phone.
Wow, haven't thought about an alarm clock in a while!
Who needs an alarm clock at my age?
Did it for years - yes!

Advertisement

Have you ever ironed a shirt for an important event?
That's what the dryer is for.
I do a couple times a week.
I've never even seen an iron.
Used to do it daily.

Advertisement

It's Wednesday and you're thinking about a date for the weekend. Where would you look first?
Probably at a club.
I have a ton of dating apps.
I'm interested in someone at work.
No thanks, I'm married.

Advertisement

You're in the taxi headed to the airport. Do you know how to check in for your flight online?
Click this, then that ... and done.
I don't know how this newfangled stuff works!
I've only flown with my parents.
It's a little confusing to navigate, but I could probably do it.

Advertisement

It's Monday morning and you need coffee. Which of these methods would you prefer to use to make it?
Ordering at a coffee shop, hello?
I have a fancy coffee machine at home.
In a percolator, on the stove.
An old-fashioned coffee pot gets the job done.

Advertisement

Do you know how to ride a boogie board?
Sure, but why would I?
What's a boogie board?
Yeah, man, I love it!
No, but I've watched my kids do it.

Advertisement

Can you cook a decent meal that doesn't require the use of a microwave?
I've gotten pretty adept in the kitchen.
Who cooks in a microwave?
Fat chance.
I have a couple recipes up my sleeve.

Advertisement

Have you ever gone through the loan application process?
Several, and paid all of them off.
Does an allowance count?
Once or twice.
Not only that, but I just refinanced one.

Advertisement

You've just finished eating out. Can you calculate how to leave a tip?
I tip whatever I feel like.
I'm too busy to eat out.
Yes, of course.
There's an app for that.

Advertisement

You Got: