Can You Get More Than 15 Right on This Challenging Skills Test?

By: Brian Whitney
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Get More Than 15 Right on This Challenging Skills Test?
Image: bobbieo / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Life can be hard, but if you've got the skills to handle any situation it can be a whole lot easier. We all know people who are capable, who we lean on in any situation, whether it be how to change a tire or how to balance a checking account. We go to these people when we need advice, or when we need help. Then there is the other side of the coin, the people who don't seem to have any idea how to even do the most basic things and when things get rough in life are always looking for someone to help them out. What is the difference between these two types of people? It is just how competent they are with the skills they need to get through life.

 Where do you stand when it comes to life skills?  We have devised a quiz that will let you know. If you score more than 15 correct, you're pretty much able to handle most situations that come your way in life. If you score less than 15, don't despair. That is the cool thing about life, it's never too late to learn and become better prepared. Take this quiz and we'll let you know where you are. 

What is a standard tip for good service in the US?
10 to 15 percent
15 to 20 percent
15 to 20 percent is considered standard in the US, but many people regularly tip higher than that. Even 30 percent is not uncommon.
30 to 45 percent
25 to 30 percent

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After cracking the shell, what is the first step in making great scrambled eggs?
Heat the butter.
Mix eggs and milk in a bowl.
A lot of people can make scrambled eggs. But to make good scrambled eggs you need some milk, salt and pepper in there.
Beat ingredients in a bowl.
Pull and separate eggs on the pan.

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Where do you hold a hammer?
At the very top
Near the top
Near the bottom
You need to hold a hammer near the bottom, but not at the very bottom. Nothing shows you don't know how to use a hammer more than holding it near the top;
At the very bottom

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What is the best way to calm a crying baby?
Ignore it.
Tell it a joke.
Give it a cold stare.
Cuddle it,
There are many ways to calm a crying baby, such as singing to it, rocking it and feeding it. But cuddling a baby is always a good thing to try.

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What is considered the best type of coffee to brew?
Whole bean
All true coffee experts grind their own coffee. And instant? Please, don't get us started.
Pre-ground
Instant
It doesn't matter.

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When jumping a car, what do you attach the red clamp to?
The positive battery post
While jumping a battery might seem confusing, it really isn't. Red is always positive, and black is always negative.
The negative battery post
Both positive and negative
The oil dipstick

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What is the first thing that goes on a business letter?
Their name
The salutation
The date
Your name
While some people think putting the date goes first, it really doesn't. Putting your name at the top of a business letter is the correct thing to do.

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What is the most popular game of pool?
Straight pool
9 Ball
8 Ball
While straight pool and 9 ball are popular games, 8 ball is by far the most popular. That is the game you will be playing unless told different.
Snooker

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Which way does not work at getting your car unstuck from snow?
Shovel around your tires.
Rock the car back and forth.
Get people to push you out.
Floor the gas.
If you floor the gas your tires will spin, and things could get worse. The other three options are all helpful.

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What is the first step when it comes to carving a turkey?
Pull the legs from the body.
Carving a turkey and doing it right isn't as easy as it looks. The first thing you need to do is move the legs away from the breast.
Slice down through the turkey.
Scoop out the stuffing.
Have a glass of wine.

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What do you have to depress to drive a stick?
The clutch
This is a life skill that less people learn all the time. Still, if you learn how to drive a manual transmission you're one step ahead of the game.
Your parents
The brake pedal
The gas pedal

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Which of these should you wear to a job interview?
Sandals
Dress shoes
No matter what the job is, people like knowing that you at least tried to impress them. Unless you're applying for a job in the trades, wear actual dress shoes to a job interview.
Sneakers
Open-toed shoes

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What is considered the most classy form of writing someone you care about?
An email
A text
A postcard
A handwritten letter
These days, there are a lot of people that never write letters by hand. Still, if you truly want to impress nothing does so better than a letter written by hand.

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Which hand is highest in poker?
2 of a kind
A straight
A flush
4 of a kind
Poker is a card game that will never go away. You will never know when you're going to be in a social situation where you need to know the rules.

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What is the first step in parallel parking?
Put your vehicle in reverse.
Release the brakes.
Turn the steering wheel.
Line up your car parallel to the other car.
Parallel parking seems hard at first, but isn't once you get used to it. The first thing you need to do is make sure your car is lined up properly before you do anything else.

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What would you do if you saw someone choking?
Yell for help.
Perform the Heimlich maneuver.
This is a move that can save someone's life, but only if used correctly. It is a good thing to learn, because you never know when you'll need to do it.
Call 911.
Stare

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What is the best skill to have when it comes to vegetables?
To know whether they've gone bad.
To know where to get them fresh.
To know where to get them cheapest.
To know how to grow your own.
Depending on your climate and where you live, you might be able to grow a lot of what you eat at home. This is good for the environment, your pride and your wallet.

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What items are important to iron on a shirt?
The collar
The sleeves
The cuffs
All of them
Ironing is a skill that everyone should have. So often people buy great clothes, don't iron them, and they look awful.

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How firm should a handshake be?
Not firm at all
Incredibly firm
Firm, but not so much that it is painful to the other person
Whether you're male or female, you need a good handshake. If you need to, practice with someone you trust
Sort of firm

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How many times a year is it OK to overdraw your checking account?
3
2
1
0
This can be a hard skill to learn, but it is important to manage your money correctly. The more you mess up the more it costs you down the road.

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How would you ask out someone you were interested in?
Through social media
Through text messaging
In person
This is one of the hardest skills out there. In today's world, so much is done online or over the phone. If you dare to ask people out in person, you're way ahead of the game.
Through a dating app

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What step comes first when changing a diaper?
Pretending you don't notice and waiting for your significant other to do it.
Removing the diaper.
Laying the baby on its back.
Babies often need their diaper changed eight or more times a day. Putting them in the right position is key.
Using wipes on your baby.

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What should you do first when changing a tire?
Remove the hubcaps.
Loosen the lug nuts.
Apply the jack.
Find a safe location.
While learning how to change a tire is an important skill, make sure you're doing it safely. If you aren't in a safe location to change a tire, call AAA or get a tow.

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What don't you need to sew a button?
Needle
Thread
A cutting tool like scissors or a knife.
Pliers
There is one more thing that you need to sew on a button than the three things listed above. You also need a button.

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Can you read a map?
I sure can.
Back in the day everyone knew how to read a map. Most people never do anymore, but it is still a valuable life skill in times of need.
I am pretty sure I can, but I never actually do.
I think I do.
Nope. Who needs a map these days?

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Which of these countries is New Zealand closest to?
Russia
America
England
Australia
Knowing basic geography is definitely a life skill that people should know. New Zealand is a gorgeous place, and very close to Australia.

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What should you eat or drink when sick to your stomach?
Apples
Crackers
Water
Pizza
There are a lot of things people say you should eat when sick to your stomach. Cheese is not one of them.

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What should you not put in the dishwasher?
Glasses
Coffee mugs
Cast iron pans
Cast iron pans are expensive. The quickest way to ruin one is to put it in the dishwasher.
Plates

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How do you remove a tick?
I don't want to know.
You have to go to the hospital.
Burn it out with a match.
Use tweezers.
A match is a bad idea. Use tweezers and pull out slowly so you get all of the tick. Dull ones are best so as to not hurt yourself.

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What is the first thing to do when making a bed?
Fluff the pillows.
Put the fitted sheet on.
You don't have to know how to make the perfect bed, but it helps. You totally get adulting points if you do.
Make hospital corners.
Put the top sheet on.

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What is the one thing you don't want to do when trying to remove a stain?
Rub it.
If you get a stain on your clothes don't panic, and don't rub it! That just grinds it in.
Blot it with a paper towel.
Rinse it in water.
Rinse with a mild detergent.

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Which way do most screws go to tighten them?
Clockwise
No matter how often one has to turn a screw, sometimes they still don't get it right. Clockwise is the way to go.
Counterclockwise
Straight
Down

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What is a good first step when learning to meditate?
Find a quiet place.
Some people find it easy to meditate, while others don't. You owe it to yourself to try it at least once, though.
Get the right clothes.
Pick out the perfect music.
Find someone to do it with.

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What should you do before going food shopping?
Make sure you have at least $200.
Make a list.
Without a list, or at least an idea of what you want to buy, grocery shopping can be difficult. Make sure you get things nailed down before you hit the store.
Think of fun snacks to get.
Compare prices at different stores.

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How much should you put on credit cards each month?
As much as I can.
As much as I can afford to pay back quickly.
These days you almost have to have some credit just to do certain things like buy a car or book a hotel room. But don't put too much on credit cards. It is a trap.
As much as I need so I can have fun.
I don't use credit cards ever.

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