Can You Answer These "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" Questions?
Put your math, history, and reading skills to the test with these tricky game show questions.
In elementary school, you learn a ton about U.S. geography, past presidents, fractions, and even musical instruments. But how much of that information do you actually retain into your adult years? Well, there's a way to find out: testing your knowledge with some tricky questions from the game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? You might be surprised to discover much you still remember—and how much you don't. And for a word you're almost certainly getting wrong every time you use it, check out This Is the Most Commonly Misspelled Word in the Country.
If Pablo divides 111,111 by 11 what number does he get?
Category: 3rd Grade Math
Answer: 10,101
Don't feel bad if you answered this math question incorrectly: On the show, computer science major Aswad Ali didn't get it right either!
And for location names most of us aren't saying correctly, check out The Most Mispronounced Places in America.
The flag of the European Union features a circle of how many stars?
Category: 5th Grade World History
Answer: 12 stars
This was the final question for contestant Brett Connell when he appeared on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Instead of guessing, he decided to drop out with the money he'd already earned.
For what you're doing wrong every time you send something to your coworkers, This Is the Worst Way to End an Email, Research Shows.
How many teaspoons are in five tablespoons?
Category: 3rd Grade Measurements
Answer: 15
There are 3 teaspoons per tablespoon!
To find out which behaviors are bothering the people around you, check out 50 Things You Do Every Day That Annoy Other People.
Fill in the blank: 1/10 is to ten percent as 1/4 is to what percent?
Category: 2nd Grade Math
Answer: 25 percent
Thankfully contestant Bruce Eckelman got this question right and secured $1,000.
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How many electrons does an atom of carbon have?
Category: 5th Grade Chemistry
Answer: 6
Though Eckelman knew the answer to this question, he chose to flip a coin to decide whether to answer it before he saw what it was. He could have walked away with $200,000!
What would a draftsman use to copy her artwork?
A. Marble
B. Printing
C. Oil and canvas
D. Ceramics
Category: 2nd Grade Art & Music
Answer: Printing
This elementary school question was included in the video game version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Which of the following is an instrument in the woodwind family?
A. Violin
B. Saxophone
C. Trumpet
Category: 1st Grade Music
Answer: Saxophone
If this question is any indication, first graders know a lot about musical instruments!
The classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Real Princess" is better known as "The Princess and the" what?
Category: 1st Grade Reading
Answer: "The Princess and the Pea"
On episode 3 of season 4 of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, master's student Alex incorrectly guessed that it was "The Princess and the Bride."
Tres is measuring a table with a ruler. Which of these won't he be able to measure?
A. The table's length
B. The table's width
C. The table's weight
Category: 1st Grade Measurements
Answer: The table's weight
At least Alex got this question—worth $5,000—right!
What typically green chemical found in plants uses photosynthesis to turn sunlight into energy?
Category: 5th Grade Life Sciences
Answer: Chlorophyll
Fun fact: Chlorophyll can also be found in algae and cyanobacteria!
U.S. President John Adams was a member of what political party at the time of his election?
Category: Social Studies
Answer: Federalist
Contestant Ken Jennings decided not to go for this million-dollar question—even though he ended up having the correct answer!
In U.S. currency, a quarter equals 25 pennies. In time measurement, how many minutes are in a quarter of an hour?
Category: 2nd Grade Measurements
Answer: 15 minutes
Answering this question correctly earned contestant Gregory Baldi $1,000.
What U.S. state is home to Acadia National Park?
Category: U.S. Geography
Answer: Maine
This million-dollar question was answered correctly by Nobel laureate George Smoot III. In the show's history, only two people have ever won the $1 million!
One year on what planet lasts roughly 88 days on Earth?
Category: 5th Grade Astronomy
Answer: Mercury
In the version of the show hosted by John Cena, third-grade teacher Lindsey got this one wrong, guessing Mars instead.
A quaver lasts half as long as what other note?
Category: 10 Year Old Music
Answer: Crotchet
Actor Martine McCutcheon (who you probably know from Love Actually) missed this question in the U.K. version of the show, Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? It's alright if you did as well—Americans know this type of note as a quarter note.
