NationStates Jolt Archive

Estimation Quiz (http://roughly.beasts.org/)

Here's your chance to show how well you know things you don't really know, as the site itself says. It's remarkably self-explanatory - if you don't know, make a guess and a degree of error. It's a very easy test to cheat, so don't bother.

I managed 52% (160/310).

:( 16%

33%

And most of my points were from things that I actually knew, rather than my estimates :(

Oh boy, I got a whopping 21% (64/310). :p

But in my defense it was wild guessing much rather than any kind of informed estimation - how the hell am I supposed to even know who "Tony Benn" is, let alone when he lived? And MPs, English counties etc.?

I have to say, though, I'm appalled at the Australian wastefulness regarding plastic bags ;) - and at the number of British adults who are functionally illiterate! :eek:

Your total score is...

16 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
5%

And I was guessing!!

Access Denied? WTF!!

Oh boy, I got a whopping 21% (64/310). :p

But in my defense it was wild guessing much rather than any kind of informed estimation - how the hell am I supposed to even know who "Tony Benn" is, let alone when he lived? And MPs, English counties etc.?

I have to say, though, I'm appalled at the Australian wastefulness regarding plastic bags ;) - and at the number of British adults who are functionally illiterate! :eek:
Yeah, it's a bit Anglo-centric. Tony Benn is (was?) one of the most high-profile socialist MPs the Labour Party had during the twentieth century. I think he might have died recently, I'm not sure.

I actually managed to get within 1% of the correct answer for the number of functionally illiterate British adults.

And I was guessing!!
Really?! :p

Access Denied? WTF!!
Erm...*shrugs*

Access Denied? WTF!!

it knew you were gunna cheat :p

33%.

This test is so biased towards British people. I could not easily answer half of those questions beyond an educated guess.

153 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
49%

15%, but then again, it was all about the UK. How am I to guess, If I have no idea what it is?

15%, but then again, it was all about the UK. How am I to guess, If I have no idea what it is?
That's the very point of the quiz. :p

20% :(

it knew you were gunna cheat :p

I wasn't gonna cheat I was going to use my resources....:p

24%. Complete guessing. But I misread the first question. I thought it asked how many were literate, not illiterate, so I guessed 90 +/- 10. But I should have trusted my instincts on the Empire State Building question. My instincts told me, "102, it's 102!" But I didn't listen, and I put 99. Oh, well. It was a funny quiz, anyway.

17% but one of the questions was wrong. There are 48 states in the US and 2 commonwealths.

Really?! :p
Yeah! I feel so smart!! FTW!!

22%, thanks to three really stupid errors that cost me 10 points apiece (Magna Carta signing date, first woman in space, start of the English Civil war... I have been hit by the Cannon of Idiocy).

This test is so biased towards British people. I could not easily answer half of those questions beyond an educated guess.

153 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
49%
I went through it again, and 14 of 31 questions involve the UK (and you really should be able to make an educated guess on at least a few of those, unless I'm overestimating your intelligence). If you want, discount those involving Britain and work out your score from the remaining questions.

48%

But I've been robbed!!!

fraction of the area of the Earth's surface which is covered by water
Yours 71 per cent exactly
True answer 70.8±0.05 per cent ...

Damn cheat, gave me zero points for that!!!

22%

17% but one of the questions was wrong. There are 48 states in the US and 2 commonwealths.
Huh?

35%, but in my defence, I'm an idiot. A very well-guessing idiot, but an idiot nonetheless :D

Huh?

My bad, 4

Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Forgot to say this:

Absolutely great quiz. Thanks for the link. Will pass it on to friends.

Forgot to say this:

Absolutely great quiz. Thanks for the link. Will pass it on to friends.
Hey, no problem. If you're British, check the Election '05 quiz as well. It seems to be a bit biased towards pro-market stances, but otherwise it's pretty good.

My bad, 4

Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
A commonwealth can also be a state.

48%

But I've been robbed!!!

fraction of the area of the Earth's surface which is covered by water
Yours 71 per cent exactly
True answer 70.8±0.05 per cent ...

Damn cheat, gave me zero points for that!!!
Yeah, the rating is kind of messed up - I have *no* idea how they give out the points. I got points for things that were barely in the estimated range anymore and zero points for others that were well inside the range.

Although I doubt I would have done all that much better even if the points thingy would work perfectly. :p

Yeah, the rating is kind of messed up - I have *no* idea how they give out the points. I got points for things that were barely in the estimated range anymore and zero points for others that were well inside the range.

Although I doubt I would have done all that much better even if the points thingy would work perfectly. :p
My guess is that the questions have a difficulty level - so on the more difficult ones you can be more wrong than on easier ones.

For example, I imagine it's fairly well known that the US has 50 states (arguments about whether they're all states or not aside), so that would have a lower difficulty level than the question about the number of carrier bags Australians get through in a year.

Hey, no problem. If you're British, check the Election '05 quiz as well. It seems to be a bit biased towards pro-market stances, but otherwise it's pretty good.

I'm German, but I live in East Anglia. Will have a look at that, cheers.

57 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
18%

18%, YAY!!!!!!!! I suck at guessing, YAY!!!!!!!

Y'know, I thought 52% would be about average, but it seems I'm actually better at guessing than the lot of you. Woo! :p

It is a bloody 100% brit test +/- 15% and therefore pointless for me to take. I stopped after this became apparent.

It is a bloody 100% brit test +/- 15% and therefore pointless for me to take. I stopped after this became apparent.
You're not allowed to get angry at such a silly thing.

It is a bloody 100% brit test +/- 15% and therefore pointless for me to take. I stopped after this became apparent.
The test is up to 115% British?

It is a bloody 100% brit test +/- 15% and therefore pointless for me to take. I stopped after this became apparent.
...It's a guessing test...

...therefore the fact that the guesses are 'biased' is somewhat irrelevant.

ERASED. Should read the whole thing.

You're not allowed to get angry at such a silly thing.

Im not angry. Im just not doing the test.

Estimation Quiz (http://roughly.beasts.org/)

Here's your chance to show how well you know things you don't really know, as the site itself says. It's remarkably self-explanatory - if you don't know, make a guess and a degree of error. It's a very easy test to cheat, so don't bother.

I managed 52% (160/310).

This quiz is obviously biased toward the English and that is why my score was only 10%. :D ...looks in college catalog for an English history course....

Im not angry. Im just not doing the test.
Please calm down. You're making a scene.

40% (124 / 310). I consider that a tactical victory because most of the questions had to do with Britain. :D

Please calm down. You're making a scene.

That's not fair. If I had to take the test, he has to take the test. ...throws pencil across the room...stomps feet on floor...cries...

That's not fair. If I had to take the test, he has to take the test. ...throws pencil across the room...stomps feet on floor...cries...

It all turns to tears when you knuckle under to a British Headmaster. I hope youve learned something about self determination here. Next time just dont do silly things simply because you are told to do silly things.

40% (124 / 310). I consider that a tactical victory because most of the questions had to do with Britain. :D

Go Farny! You show those oppressive Brit test makers!

It all turns to tears when you knuckle under to a British Headmaster. I hope youve learned something about self determination here. Next time just dont do silly things simply because you are told to do silly things.

ROFLMAO! :D

It is a bloody 100% brit test +/- 15% and therefore pointless for me to take. I stopped after this became apparent.
Yeah, because all British people know how many petrol stations are in the UK, and the fraction of the adult population of the UK who are functionally illiterate. ;)

For the record I'm British, and the only questions I managed to score reasonable points on were the ones about space (A level Physics finally came in handy then I guess:p)

I got 17%, but I might have gotten higher if some of the qestions had been about the US. maybe...:( :confused:

65 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
21%

Yeah, because all British people know how many petrol stations are in the UK, and the fraction of the adult population of the UK who are functionally illiterate. ;)


1) Have we met at that Tesco petrol station in Norwich? (Ipswich Road)
2) Who read the questions to you?

;)

I didn't take it.

I'm not quite that bored.

Yet.

I got 39%. I wish I'd thought a little longer on the boeing question. I was going to answer 400±20 (why else call it a 747-400?), but went for 400±400 in the end and got 0. I should have gone with my gut instinct more often. Most of my actual answers were close, just my ± limits were ridiculous so got fewer points. (like 400±400).

29%

But then I'm in the grand USA. :)

35%, better than most brits, I guess I am good at trying to aproximate things

19% w00t w00t

But I know jack shit about GB, so the fact I scored that high is a surprise ^.^

I do not guess.

Yeah, because all British people know how many petrol stations are in the UK, and the fraction of the adult population of the UK who are functionally illiterate. ;)


No, but you might have a slightly better idea than Americans do about how many people are in the House of Commons, who this "Tony Benn" fellow is, and what the GDP of the UK is, all of which are a little tricky for us folks on the other side of the Atlantic who have no particular reason to know any of the above. :p

No, but you might have a slightly better idea than Americans do about how many people are in the House of Commons, who this "Tony Benn" fellow is, and what the GDP of the UK is, all of which are a little tricky for us folks on the other side of the Atlantic who have no particular reason to know any of the above. :p
For crying out loud: this is Tony Benn.

http://www.tomteegan.com/Images/photos/news/TONY%20BENN%20AT%20APPLEDORE%2093.jpg

Part of the loony left; anti war, anti nuclear, pro nationalisation, pro high taxes, smokes a pipe a lot.

Old now, but still somewhat amusing to listen to.

For crying out loud: this is Tony Benn.

http://www.tomteegan.com/Images/photos/news/TONY%20BENN%20AT%20APPLEDORE%2093.jpg

Part of the loony left; anti war, anti nuclear, pro nationalisation, pro high taxes, smokes a pipe a lot.

Old now, but still somewhat amusing to listen to.

He looks like Bob Barker smokin a bowlfull of weed.

59 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
19%

What a silly quiz. I got the exact right number for Harold being crowned (don't ask me how), yet got no points, because I said I was uncertain. Besides, for the MP question, I didn't know what country they were talking about. England isn't the only place with a house of commons.

120 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of 39%

I was a bit ashamed, but I see that's about average for NS'ers.

The test writer knows when Jesus was born?

The test writer knows when Jesus was born?
It's given as 5 BC +/- 2 years, isn't it? Seeing as most theologians/historians seem to agree it was sometime around 6-4 BC, the answer to your question would be yes. Approximately.

35%
107 / 310

Meh. Most of that isn't going to save my life or make me look stupid if I don't know it, and those that do, I know...

102 out of a possible 310 points,
for a grand total of,
33%

For someone who doesn't live in the UK, I don't think I've done too badly. ;) And at least I knew the exact date of the Magna Carta, the number of States in the US and countries in the UN (does anyone not?) and the birthdate of Christ.

But this...


time taken for light from the Sun to reach the Earth
:Yours 8 minutes exactly
True answer: 8.31±0.13 minutes ...
Points: 1

...is just unfair. :p Only one point?!

But this...



...is just unfair. :p Only one point?!
Holy cow, that is unfair. :eek: :p

Holy cow, that is unfair. :eek: :p

:mad:

The exact same thing happened to me.

I got 37%, though.

But this...

(speed of light question)

...is just unfair. :p Only one point?!
Well, you said 8 minutes exactly, and you were wrong. Be thankful you got anything. :p

:mad:

The exact same thing happened to me.

I got 37%, though.
I hope you got the question about carrier bags right, what with you being a grocery packer...;)

Well, you said 8 minutes exactly, and you were wrong. Be thankful you got anything. :p

Oh, wait. On closer inspection, I got 10 points for that one. Go me.

I hope you got the question about carrier bags right, what with you being a grocery packer...;)

No, I was off on the order of several billion. :p

My bad, 4

Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Yes we crazy Massachusettanians with our crazy commonwealth. But you should have known that no one says 46 states... :p

No, I was off on the order of several billion. :p
Such pride in your work...:D

I hope you got the question about carrier bags right, what with you being a grocery packer...;)
:p Incredible - NS General really has resident experts on everything.

Such pride in your work...:D

*drops milk on top of your bread*

Sorry, I missed that?

The test writer knows when Jesus was born?
Historians have a pretty good idea as to when Jesus was born.
King Herod for example. He died in 4BC. So if he was to have ordered the deaths of all 2 yr-old boys, as is spoken of in the Bible, Jesus must have been born in 6BC at the latest.

*drops milk on top of your bread*

Sorry, I missed that?
o.O Does Orstraya have that US-style Squishybread, too? *cancels flight*

o.O Does Orstraya have that US-style Squishybread, too? *cancels flight*
Erm...we have all sorts of bread, much as i'd expect in any civilized country.

*drops milk on top of your bread*

Sorry, I missed that?
And this is why I pack my own groceries. That, and we don't have grocery packers in the UK.

Erm...we have all sorts of bread, much as i'd expect in any civilized country.
Wait, wait. Australia's civilised?

*ducks*

Erm...we have all sorts of bread, much as i'd expect in any civilized country. But why is it so bad to drop the milk on it, then, if it's not to keep it from being squished? Don't be mad. :(

And this is why I pack my own groceries. That, and we don't have grocery packers in the UK. :p Yeah, it's all in how you look at things.

But why is it so bad to drop the milk on it, then, if it's not to keep it from being squished? Don't be mad.

Well, if I ever encounter a loaf of bread that can withstand a two-litre carton of milk being dropped upon it from some height without the slightest bit of damage, I think I shall refrain from eating it, because it'd likely be an impossible task anyway. *nods*

And this is why I pack my own groceries. That, and we don't have grocery packers in the UK.

You do have cashiers, no? :p

Wait, wait. Australia's civilised?

*ducks*

Some parts more so than others. :p

Well, if I ever encounter a loaf of bread that can withstand a two-litre carton of milk being dropped upon it from some height without the slightest bit of damage, I think I shall refrain from eating it, because it'd likely be an impossible task anyway. *nods*
Dwarf bread. *nods back*


You do have cashiers, no? :p
Yep, and I do my utmost to stop them from packing my food, because they always seem to assume I'll be driving home - and when you're walking home you don't want your 4 litres of fruit juice, 2 litres of milk and 5kg of potatoes in one bag.

I had a 30% not bad for not knowing much about Britain's history, or how many gas stations they have(which i guessed 12000) :p

Dwarf bread. *nods back*

Ha :D

Yep, and I do my utmost to stop them from packing my food, because they always seem to assume I'll be driving home - and when you're walking home you don't want your 4 litres of fruit juice, 2 litres of milk and 5kg of potatoes in one bag.

If I did that, i'd get fired. Damn Britlanders still having labour protection laws and such. :p

Well, if I ever encounter a loaf of bread that can withstand a two-litre carton of milk being dropped upon it from some height without the slightest bit of damage, I think I shall refrain from eating it, because it'd likely be an impossible task anyway. *nods*
Erm....in that case, better bring your own bread should you ever come to Germany. :p

Erm....in that case, better bring your own bread should you ever come to Germany. :p

Meh, it's cool, I don't usually eat it anyway. :p

Yep, and I do my utmost to stop them from packing my food Wow. Cashiers pack your food? We have to do our own packing, all of the time.

Wow. Cashiers pack your food? We have to do our own packing, all of the time.

Hey, i'm a cashier and food packer. Would I be doubly qualified in europe? LOL :p

Hey, i'm a cashier and food packer. Would I be doubly qualified in europe? LOL :pYou'd be completely worthless. :)
We don't have food packers, and just imagine what a cashier with an urge to bag your groceries would do the morale of the rest of the workers? Disruptive elements must be suppressed for the sake of keeping the country the service desert that we all know and love. *nods*

You'd be completely worthless. :)

Oh, so much the same as now. But at least i'd get chairs!

Oh, so much the same as now. Yes. http://forum.pummeldex.de/images/emotions/jaa.gif
But yes, we let our cashiers sit down. Awesome. :p

Yes. http://forum.pummeldex.de/images/emotions/jaa.gif
But yes, we let our cashiers sit down. Awesome. :p

*mutters*

I bet you get paid sick leave too. I feel so oppressed.

Anyway, i'm going to bed. :p

Wow. Cashiers pack your food? We have to do our own packing, all of the time.
Some do, some don't. Most offer. Some just do it without asking, in which case I politely take the bag off them. Some just chuck your stuff down to the end as quickly as possible so you can't keep up, in which case I pack as slowly as possible without being seen to be taking the piss, and make sure I've packed everything before getting my wallet out.

*mutters*

I bet you get paid sick leave too. I feel so oppressed.

Anyway, i'm going to bed. :p
G'night, oh oppressed one. =)

Some do, some don't. Most offer. Some just do it without asking, in which case I politely take the bag off them. Some just chuck your stuff down to the end as quickly as possible so you can't keep up, in which case I pack as slowly as possible without being seen to be taking the piss, and make sure I've packed everything before getting my wallet out. Yeah, that's the usual modus operandi around here. :p

Having your bag packed is utmost decadence.
Tough men bring boxes.