How Much Common Sense Do You Have?

Quiz: How Much Common Sense Do You Have?

Ten everyday questions where a calm, practical answer wins. Read each one carefully before you click.

1. A pan of oil catches fire on the stove. What is the safest thing to do?

   • Fan the flames to cool them
   • Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid
   • Carry the pan outside
   • Pour water on it

   Water makes burning oil spray and spread; turning off the heat and covering the pan starves the fire of oxygen.

2. Which is heavier: a kilogram of feathers or a kilogram of bricks?

   • It depends on the weather
   • They weigh the same
   • The bricks
   • The feathers

   A kilogram is a kilogram, whatever it is made of.

3. You are running a race and overtake the person in second place. What place are you in now?

   • Second
   • Last
   • First
   • Third

   You took the place of the person who was second, so you are now second.

4. A recipe for 4 people needs 2 eggs. How many eggs do you need for 8 people?

   • 3
   • 4
   • 6
   • 8

   Twice as many people need twice as many eggs.

5. To loosen a standard screw, which way do you usually turn it?

   • Anticlockwise (counter-clockwise)
   • Push it straight in
   • Either way
   • Clockwise

   Standard screws follow the rule "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey".

6. During a thunderstorm, which is the safest place to be?

   • Under a tall tree
   • In an open field
   • Inside a building
   • Swimming in a lake

   Lightning safety guidance advises getting inside a substantial building (or a hard-topped car) and avoiding trees, open ground and water.

7. A farmer has 15 sheep. All but 6 run away. How many sheep are left?

   • 6
   • 0
   • 9
   • 15

   "All but 6" means six stay behind.

8. You have to take one tablet every hour, three tablets in total, starting now. How long until you take the last one?

   • 4 hours
   • 1 hour
   • 2 hours
   • 3 hours

   Take one now, one after an hour and the last after two hours.

9. Your phone battery is at 5% and you have an important call in an hour. What is the most sensible move?

   • Turn the screen brightness up
   • Hope it lasts
   • Switch it off and on again
   • Charge it now

   Charging ahead of time is the simple, reliable fix.

10. How many months of the year have at least 28 days?

    • 12
    • 2
    • 6
    • 1

    Every month has at least 28 days; February is simply the shortest.