Can You Identify These Basic House Features Actual Adults Should Know?

By: Todd Betzold
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These Basic House Features Actual Adults Should Know?
Image: Eric Schaeffer / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

While HGTV has made all of us think that we need to renovate or buy a new house, some of us should stick to renting because we don't have a clue about basic house features. We may learn a lot about renovations and flipping a house on HGTV, but is it enough to learn about the basics every home should have?

That's where this quiz comes into play, as we are going to test your knowledge of some typical home features. While these terms may be basic to you, they may seem like a foreign language to other people. You may know what some home features look like, but do you know their names or what uses they have beyond the obvious? We will test you on everything from construction to bathroom features, from exterior items to interior decor.

Maybe you want a pantry or an island in the kitchen, but can you recognize either in a photo? Similar items will be included in this big test today, so try and make your way through the entire quiz and identify the household features you are looking at in the photos. It may not be as easy as you think, so the pressure is on!

3 gutter GettyImages-471188137
michael1959 / E+ / Getty Images
The things that can get caught in these is crazy, so clean them every year. What are they?
Roof
Gutters
Siding
Garage door
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gutters collect leaves, dirt, branches and dead animals over time. Because of that, get out the ladder and hose and start clearing these things out every year, or hire a professional to do it.

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5 shower head GettyImages-79315501
DAJ / Getty Images
This helps wash your body, but do you know how to change it?
Shower head
Bathtub
Body wash
Shampoo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After a while, the shower head will get moldy and rusty, so it will need to be replaced. You can use a wrench to loosen the head and remove it, then install a new one in its place after cleaning off the shower head stem with some vinegar or alcohol.

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7 water shutoff valve GettyImages-172685828
YinYang / E+ / Getty Images
Adjusting this during an emergency could be very important, but do you what it is or where it is located?
Water shut-off valve
Sprinkler hose
Shower head
Doorknob
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When there is a plumbing issue, the first thing to do is turn off the water. All water flow can be stopped at the water shut-off valve, which varies in location from house to house. Knowing where that valve is can prevent a lot of damage, so if you don't know, find out!

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10 columns GettyImages-867756950
Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
Some homes have these in the Ionic, Doric or Corinthian style, reminiscent of ancient Greece and Rome. What are they?
Hallways
Columns
Arches
Bathrooms
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Columns are a hallmark of classical and neoclassical style. The Doric column is simple, while the Corinthian can be quite ornate. All are found in ancient Greek and Roman ruins, like the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.

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13 faucet GettyImages-102196603
Buena Vista Images / Photodisc / Getty Images
If this starts leaking, the dripping may cause you to go insane. What is it?
Washing machine
Toilet
Dishwasher
Faucet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of course, plumbing problems vary depending on the model of sink and faucet you have, but basic faucet leaks are usually all the same. To repair, you would need to replace a faulty or worn-down O-ring, washer or stem inside the faucet head.

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6 furnace filter GettyImages-183753690
BanksPhotos / E+ / Getty Images
You should change this every three months to keep your air fresh and avoid fires, but what is it?
Shower curtain
Dryer lint trap
Furnace filter
Screen door
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We all want clean air in our lives, which is why the furnace filter should be changed every three months in your house. If you have a smoker in the house or a pet that sheds a lot, then you need to change the filter even more frequently.

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15 spiral staircase GettyImages-184974609
olaser / E+ / Getty Images
It looks like winding stairs, but it is called what?
Ladder
Spiral staircase
Endless staircase
Flight wanderer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spiral staircases may seem hazardous or make you dizzy, but they're also stylish and convenient in tight spaces. Some of the first spiral staircases were used in castles in the Middle Ages.

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11 Banquette GettyImages-522958506
David Papazian / Corbis / Getty Images
You can find this in a breakfast nook, covered with a cozy cushion and lots of pillows. What is it?
Banquette
Bookshelf
Island
Pantry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A banquette is an alternative to a typical dining table with chairs or benches. It can be a great space saver if square footage is limited.

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4 door hinge GettyImages-150209412
Fotosearch / Getty Images
If your door is scraping or getting caught, you may need to tighten these. What are they called?
Doorknob
Door stopper
Door frame
Door hinges
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If the door moves up or down when it's open, it means the screws in the door hinges are loose. Here's a tip: remove the loose screws and then use a wooden matchstick dipped in carpenter's glue to help fill the hole.

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2 bookcase anchor
Consumer Reports
What feature, when added on, will make sure your books don't go tumbling down?
Bookcase anchor
Rope
Flat bar
Command hook
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bookcases or other heavier standalone objects in your house should be anchored to the wall, in case anything happens that could make them tip over. Many types of anchors are available, and they must be attached to wall studs.

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20 Studfinder
WorkshopAddict
This basic tool will help you determine where your bookshelf anchor goes. What is it?
Hammer
Screwdriver
Stud finder
Hand saw
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are mounting something on the wall or need to secure a bookcase to the wall, a stud finder is a great tool to have. It will help keep things in place and keep you from having 12 nail holes in the wall!

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8 chimney flue GettyImages-911819218
Jasmin Merdan / Moment / Getty Images
What is the opening in a chimney called?
Chimney
Exhaust
Flue
Cold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The pipe, duct or opening in a chimney is called the flue. A flue is used to get rid of exhaust gases from the fireplace, furnace or water heater. Be sure your chimney flue is clean before lighting a fire in your fireplace.

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16 bay window GettyImages-154925062
studiocasper / E+ / Getty Images
What is this special type of window called, that projects outward from the house?
Circular window
Slider window
Oxeye window
Bay window
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bay window is often the centerpiece of the home, both from the inside and the outside. It may look upon a delightful vista or may be a key gathering space in the home.

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24 roof vent 251916
sam_higgins_rulz / Pixabay
This plays a crucial part in cooling down the attic, but what is it?
Air conditioner
Roof vent
Gutters
Downspout
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This may come as a shock to some, but roofs need ventilation. An attic can get very hot, so roof vents allow some of that heat to escape.

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28 toilet seat GettyImages-184967347
Rouzes / E+ / Getty Images
A new one of these can make a world of difference, but what is it?
Toilet seat
Chair
Plunger
Drain-o
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A loose toilet seat can be a simple fix, as you may just need to open up the plastic snap-shut lid at the back of the toilet seat. Tightening those bolts may fix the issue. Otherwise, a new toilet seat may be needed, and that's an easy replacement also.

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22 Down spout GettyImages-87609635
Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Every house has these and they play a crucial role, but what are they called?
Downspouts
Gutters
Hoses
Metal pipes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A downspout is a tube that is connected to the gutters. This downspout is what directs the water down from inside the gutters and away from the home's foundation.

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30 Breaker box GettyImages-171109644
bagi1998 / E+ / Getty Images
All the power in the house runs through this, but what is it called?
Power source
Breaker box
Electrical outlet
Power switch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The breaker box is also known as the electrical panel. Electricity runs into the breaker box and then it is split into separate circuits throughout the house.

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27 water supply lines
Greg Jones
In your basement or crawl space, what do we call these pipes?
Supply lines
American lines
Front of the line
Back of the line
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Supply lines bring water into your house. Some of it gets sent directly to the water heater and then it is returned to the supply lines for you to use.

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12 Inglenook GettyImages-157503964
alacatr / E+ / Getty Images
What do you call that cozy little sitting area around a fireplace?
Pantry
Inglenook
Great room
Living room
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The inglenook was made popular during the Middle Ages, but gained popularity again in the late 19th century. It is an area near a fireplace, often including a bench, which gave the person cooking or tending the fire a chance to sit down.

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25 door bumper
iScaper1
This little-noticed item keeps your door from slamming into the wall. Do you know what it's called?
Bumper
Lock bump
Door stop
Door hitch
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The door stop prevents a door from slamming into the wall when it's opened forcefully. Door stops come in all shapes and sizes - they can blend in or be decorative.

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32 Bathtub drain GettyImages-78034619
Thinkstock / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Do you know this area of a bathtub, which can get filled with hair?
Drain
Shower head
Faucet
Shower curtain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You never realize how much hair comes off of you until you see it all in the drain, which causes it to clog up. That's why you need to bring out a snake and pull that gunk out every once in a while.

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26 shingles GettyImages-653170362
Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
What items are placed on a roof to prevent leaks?
L-guard
Metal dividers
Shingles
Flushing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shingles are often made of asphalt because of its waterproof properties. Other roofing materials are slate and wood. Flashing is placed under shingles at roof intersections for extra security.

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29 range hood GettyImages-494358353
Can You Identify These Basic House Features All Actual Adults Should Know?
This is a necessary part of the kitchen, especially if you are a bad cook. What is this device called?
Range hood
Ceiling fan
Smoke detector
Fire extinguisher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A range hood is also known as an exhaust hood or extractor hood. It contains a mechanical fan and hangs above the stove. The purpose of the range hood is to remove fumes, smoke and heat while cooking.

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31 Baseboard GettyImages-157640490
Spiderstock / E+ / Getty Images
Found on interior walls, what are these wooden or vinyl strips called?
Baseboards
Boot kickers
Paneling
Treble moulding
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Baseboards can be found covering the lowest part of a home's interior walls. They are normally made of wood or vinyl. They cover the joint between the wall surface and the floor.

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40 fire escape GettyImages-870992144
Busa Photography / Moment / Getty Images
There's a fire! What do you use to get out?
Fire escape
Front door
Ladder
Rope ladder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Apartment buildings, especially in major cities, are required to have fire escapes for tenants on upper floors. Fire escapes were introduced during industrialization to keep tenants safe in new, large apartment buildings. Even if you don't have or need a fire escape, having a plan in case of an emergency is important! Also, install smoke detectors.

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34 Crawl space
Wiki Commons by Historic American Buildings Survey
If your house doesn't have a basement, it most likely has this area, which is called what?
Dirty area
Muddy area
Crawl space
Foundation area
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can find a crawl space under some homes, below the first floor. There is no basement in these homes, so this one- to three-foot-high area allows someone to crawl around and access plumbing and electrical lines.

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18 Mantel GettyImages-155354090
KarenMower / E+ / Getty Images
This area over the fireplace might hold stockings or picture frames. What is it called?
Chimney
Hearth
Mantel
Accent Wall
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mantel sits above the fireplace and can be a great decorative centerpiece of a home. But did you know that it was originally created to catch smoke from the fire, the way hoods now do in kitchens?

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39 pantry GettyImages-936725926
Taiyou Nomachi / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Usually right off the kitchen, this room can help when cupboard space is low. What is this room called?
Closet
Food area
Pantry
Overflow kitchen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A pantry is an area used to store food that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and sometimes dishes, cleaning products and linens. It's usually a closet of sorts.

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23 tin ceiling
Wiki Commons by National Park Service
What metal was often used as a ceiling?
Aluminum
Iron
Silver
Tin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tin ceilings had elaborate patterns and used to be sold door-to-door by traveling salesmen. Copper ceilings were also popular. You can still find these ceilings in some homes today, though they are rarely seen in new construction.

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19 Fanlight GettyImages-172720194
whitemay / E+ / Getty Images
What window, sometimes found above a front door, is in the shape of a common Japanese item?
Dindow
Window door
Fanlight
Door plaque
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fanlight happens to be that semicircle window that is sometimes found above a door or other windows. The name comes from the resemblance of the fanlight to a geisha accessory.

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14 gablet
Wiki Commons by Johann Jaritz
You may have seen this on a rooftop, but do you know what it's called?
Tablet
Fable
Gablet
Bargeboard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A small gable is also called a gablet, and it normally appears at the peak of a roof with four sloping sides. A gablet is also the triangular top set over a dormer window.

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38 Valance GettyImages-157615411
phototropic / E+ / Getty Images
Let's talk window treatments. What's the name of that thing that goes over the window to hide the blinds or curtain rod?
Drape
Blackout
Valance
Blanker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A valance is used to hide the window blinds when they're pulled up or to cover unsightly curtain rods. It's a small detail that can add some sophistication to a home.

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1 sink caulk GettyImages-78057020
Jupiterimages / Stockbyte / Getty Images
We all know what a sink is, but what's that rubbery layer on the edge of it called?
Cement
Rubber band
Caulk
Tape
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That area where the sink meets the wall or floor is sealed with caulk - it's the gel or rubbery line. This helps prevents leaking. Caulk wears out over time, though, so edges need to be re-caulked every few years.

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17 lintel GettyImages-162287462
Zoonar/J.Wachala / Zoonar / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
The top of a door or window has a name. Do you know what it is?
Ladle
Lintel
Louden
Lantel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lintel is a support for a door or window that can also serve as decor. The lintel spreads a load out to the surrounding walls as well.

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21 Scullery
Mastercraft Services NZ Ltd
A small kitchen near another kitchen? Yes, but what is it called?
Pantry
Mudroom
Scullery
Hallway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A scullery is essentially a small kitchen - a room in the house that is normally used for washing dishes or clothes. It is considered to be an overflow kitchen.

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37 Milk_delivery_door_-_exterior
Wiki Commons by Downtowngal
What household feature, rarely in use anymore, once played an important role in feeding a household?
Wheat box
Milk box
Butter box
Water cooler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Milk boxes used to be a standard in suburban homes across the United States. The box was constructed in a wall of the home and had an opening on the outside, where the milk would be delivered.

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36 arch keystone GettyImages-87651917
Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
This sometimes decorative stone is what supports an arch. Do you know what it's called?
Keystone
Topstone
Wedgestone
Central stone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The keystone sits at the center of an arch, supporting the curved structure. While it isn't always larger than other stones or decorated, many architects make it a focal point of their design.

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33 ceiling joist GettyImages-78403951
David Papazian / Stockbyte / Getty Images
These items hold up your ceiling, but do you know what they're called?
Rafters
Wood blocks
Walls
joists
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceiling joists are those long pieces of wood that connect the outside walls together. They have multiple purposes, as they also help secure the bottom ends of the rafters and support the ceiling materials for the rooms below.

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35 carbon monoxide alarm GettyImages-911721176
©Daniela White Images / Moment / Getty Images
This alarm helps detect an otherwise invisible, odorless gas that can kill. What's it called?
Carbon dioxide detector
Double nitrogen detector
Carbon monoxide detector
Smoke alarm
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Carbon monoxide is a gas that can be hard to detect because it has no odor. It can build up in a home due to a running car engine or a faulty heating system.

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9 Clerestory GettyImages-87797179
Jupiterimages / PHOTOS.com>> / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Often seen in churches, some homes are equipped with this feature. What is it called?
Stained-glass windows
Clerestory
Attic
Window pane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In some homes, you may see a clerestory, which is a bank of windows above eye level. They are usually added to enhance the home's natural light and add some warmth to the interior.

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Eric Schaeffer / Moment / Getty Images