Can We Guess Your Name if You Lived in America?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
7 min
Can We Guess Your Name if You Lived in America?
Image: YinYang/ E+/ Getty Images

About This Quiz

America is a land of iconic images: cowboys, rappers, baseball, Apple, Coke, and of course, thinking it alone beat the Nazis. America is far more complex a story than any one facet of its iconography would suggest. It is a land of both visionary innovators and objectionable robber barons. It has championed freedom while at the same time making many of its own people second class citizens. It gave the world both Elvis Presley and Katy Perry.

Divided into many regions, the USA isn't as simple as one land with one culture. Even within a single part of the country, subcultures, sports rivalries, ethnic and class divides make America a land more diverse than really any other. If one wants 10 opinions on something, one need only ask two Americans. American popular culture, once a monoculture with nearly all people tuning in to the same television programmes, is now balkanised, with niche cable channels and internet streaming services catering to every taste. There is even, finally, enough room in American sport for football, played without the use of hands, to have a place in the landscape of professional sports. Growing up American is thus unlike growing up nearly anyplace else in the world. Were you American, what would you be named?

Question 1 - vacation
Unsplash by Jens Kreuter
What is the furthest you have been from your home town?
I've been a few hundred miles from there.
I went to Spain one time, so fairly far.
I have been all over the globe.
I've only ever travelled 50 miles or fewer from home.

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Question 2 - middle ages
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Different ages have different virtues to recommend them. In which of the following would you best succeed?
The middle ages
The present
The age of empire
The years following the Second World War

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Question 3 - work environment
Unsplash by Med Badr Chemmaoui
How would you describe your physical work environment?
Beautiful, natural and peaceful
Home
Luxurious, comfortable and aspirational
Unsentimental, utilitarian and crowded

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Question 4 - parents
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Times change, but sometimes less than we think they do. In what way is your life most like that of your parents?
They worked in the same economic ecosystem that I do.
The habits of my parents are the same as those of me and my partner.
I have to work harder than my parents did, but then my parents had the benefits of their historical era.
I live more or less as my ancestors, in the same profession, living the same sort of life.

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Question 5 - house
Unsplash by Scott Webb
Depending on what part of the U.S. Americans call home, their dwellings vary widely. Which of the following best describes your residence?
A bothy
A modern, suburban house
A large, old house that has been in my family for generations
A small flat

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Question 6 - SUV
Unsplash by Lucas Ludwig
Every profession has its essential tools. What is yours?
My SUV
My mobile
The Old Boys network
My boss

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Question 7 - children
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Humans have a way of always raising the bar for ourselves. In which area is your unfulfilled ambition?
I wish I could see more of the natural world.
I want my children to succeed in every endeavor.
I want to be taken seriously for my merits, not just my resources.
I want my employer to better recognize their responsibility to their employees, and see my value.

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Question 8 - 4x4
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In America, one's transportation is part of one's lifestyle. Assuming you had vehicle of some sort, what would it be?
A 4x4
An estate car
An executive saloon
A hatchback

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Question 9 - job
Tristan Savatier/ Moment/ Getty Images
If you could change one thing about your job forever, what would it be?
I would want a larger workplace.
I would want some assistants to help me with it.
I would want it to be less stressful and more interesting.
I would want the hours to be shorter and the pay higher.

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Question 10 - Scotland
Unsplash by Georgia de Lotz
Which of the following suits your idea of a typical UK vacation destination?
Blackpool
An educational trip to a National Trust property
My lodge in Scotland
Brighton

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Question 11 - yorkie
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Americans love their dogs. What breed do you have, on this side of the ocean?
A spaniel
A miniature dachshund
A labrador
A yorkie

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Question 12 - debate
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Secondary school students in the US are expected to take part in activities outside of class. Of the following, which is closest to the pastime of your youth?
Cricket
Debate club
Riding
Footie

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Question 13 - union
Morsa Images/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Americans often think of themselves in terms of their careers. How did you get your first job?
I was approached about a part-time job whilst in secondary school.
I saw an ad in the newspaper.
Good, old fashioned family nepotism
I knew someone in the right union.

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Question 14 - bacon
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Every meal is a celebration in the United States. What's your favourite breakfast item?
Black pudding
Breakfast cereal
Bacon
Eggs

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Question 15 - family dinner
10'000 Hours/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
In the U.S., holidays are often taken very seriously. What do you have planned for Boxing Day?
It's one of the biggest working days for me!
The whole family is getting together to eat and hang out.
I'm tipping my house staff, and having some mates over.
I plan to sleep the whole day.

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Question 16 - bad boss
Jon Feingersh Photography Inc/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Americans love it when a story has a good villain. What kind of Guy do you choose for Guy Fawkes night?
Our local politician, usually!
A current, major international villain
Whichever MP with whom I've had a row over this and that at our club
My boss!

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Question 17 - UK drivers
Tim Grist Photography/ Moment/ Getty Images
What is the worst thing about traveling in the UK?
Other drivers are awful.
White van man is everywhere.
Caravans are the worst.
I can't stand it when people honk at me when I'm at the wheel of my caravan!

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Question 18 - Ediburgh
Unsplash by Jörg Angeli
If forced to move house, in which of the following places would you best fit?
Devon
Cheshire
Edinburgh
Newcastle

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Question 19 - Orlando, Florida
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If you were to visit the US on holiday, which part would you most like to visit?
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the huge natural expanses filled with wildlife
Orlando, Florida, for the sake of my children's happiness
New York City, for the theatre and so I could spend an afternoon in the office and expense the trip.
Las Vegas, to cut loose!

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Question 20 -  waxed coat
Cultura/Wonwoo Lee/ Cultura/ Getty Images
Weather is a fact of life in both the UK and the USA. What item of clothing could you not do without here?
Wellies
My tracksuit
My waxed coat
My woolen gloves

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Question 21 - job happy
Klaus Vedfelt/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
What is your favourite facet of your current job?
I love that I can really pour myself into the details.
I love that it allows me to spend a lot of time with family.
I love that it accommodates the lifestyle to which I've become accustomed.
I feel I'm very good at my job, which is lovely no matter what one does for a living.

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Question 22 - professional appearance
Luis Alvarez/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
How does your competitiveness manifest itself?
I try to produce the most unique work product possible.
It manifests in how I manage my professional appearance.
I know that if I put in more hours than my competition, it appears as though I'm the hardest worker, regardless of outcomes.
I work as quickly and efficiently as I can.

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Question 23 - Stetson
Hill Street Studios/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Each region of the States has its own styles. Which of the following American style touches would you consider?
One of those amazing Stetsons ...
American sports clothing is very stylish and comfortable ...
I could wear stylish sneakers with my suit!
I don't know enough about their fashion to say.

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Question 24 - elites
Unsplash by Alev Takil
In your assessment, where are you in the social pecking order?
I'm not very high, but I'm respected.
I'm somewhere in the middle.
Obviously I'm at the top.
I'm fairly close to the bottom.

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Question 25 - goofing off
Klaus Vedfelt/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
What aspect of your upbringing do you most value?
I learned my trade from a young age, and that's the best way to do it.
I value the time I spent with my parents.
I value the lessons learnt from my adult mentors.
I most value the time spent goofing off with friends.

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Question 26 - handshake
Oliver Rossi/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
Americans have a unique way in which they greet each other. How would you greet an old friend?
I would extend a firm handshake and a clap on the shoulder.
I would kiss them on both cheeks.
I would say "Hello," and if pressed, I would shake hands.
I would bring them in for a big, lovely hug.

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Question 27 - community
Thomas Barwick/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images
How would you describe your level of community involvement?
I spend a good deal of time with pillars of the community.
I take part in community boards from time to time.
I involve myself in community matters from time to time, when things have stalled.
I pay my taxes! I need contribute nothing more.

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Question 28 - living fast
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Describe the pace of life you would prefer. How would you like it to be, ideally?
I like to adjust things to my daily whims, which are usually slow and steady.
I don't mind the pace, but I wish I had more time!
I wouldn't change a thing.
I don't mind the pace, but I wish I spent less time working.

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Question 29 - risk
Unsplash by Michael Shannon
What is your approach to risk?
I try to minimize what I can control, but there are a few factors no one can master.
I am cautious about the ones that are my responsibility, and leave the rest to my partner's judgement.
I don't mind risk, because I can afford to survive failure.
I don't like to take any risks at all.

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Question 30 - Darwin
Wikicommons by John Collier
Which famous Briton do you see as the best role model?
Charles Darwin
Queen Victoria
Lord Wellington
Tony Benn

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You Got: