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Quiz about Telling Ducks From Cats The Easy Way
Quiz about Telling Ducks From Cats The Easy Way

Telling Ducks From Cats, The Easy Way Quiz


If you've tried doing "Telling Ducks From Cats, The Hard Way" (or even if you haven't), here's a quiz on some easier methods.

A multiple-choice quiz by uglybird. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
uglybird
Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
207,904
Updated
Mar 13 24
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
18220
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 98 (9/10), Tall21 (8/10), Guest 172 (10/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. If you know what to look for, a duck can be distinguished from a cat without difficulty. In the "Jaw Test", one carefully inspects the two animals, looking for a well defined lower jaw. Which does not have one?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 2 of 10
2. Another simple method for telling which of two animals is a duck and which is a cat is to perform the "Nostrils-In-The-Air Test". Locate the nostrils or nares of the two animals. The nostrils that point up belong to which animal?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 3 of 10
3. The "Flotation Test" is another method for differentiating cats from ducks. Slowly and gently place the two test animals in water. Which will float higher?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 4 of 10
4. Having performed the "Flotation Test" in which one attempts to discriminate between a duck and a cat by seeing which floats highest, one may observe the specimens for "post-flotation tail lashing". Which animal is LESS likely to be lashing its tail?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 5 of 10
5. The "High Toss Maneuver" will often reliably distinguish between ducks and cats. This method requires assistance. Standing on springy turf, on the count of three, you and your assistant should launch both animals as high into the air as possible and stand back. Which animal is more likely to fly away?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 6 of 10
6. Both ducks and cats are fond of fish. In the "Thirty Day Meal Rejection Test", one places identical portions of fish in front of the two animals twice daily and notes the animals' behavior. Which animal is more likely to sniff the food and walk away, nose in the air, without eating it? (Hint: Which animal actually has a nose?)

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 7 of 10
7. Utilizing stealth and a glass of water one can perform the "Back Run Off" to tell which of two animals is the duck and which is the cat. Carefully sneak up on the test animal and pour four ounces of water onto the test subject's back. Which animal will have retained more moisture in the area that the stream of water impacted?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 8 of 10
8. "The Can Opener Test" will usually distinguish between a duck and a cat. Place the two animals in a room as far distant from the kitchen as possible. Run the electric can opener. Which animal will likely appear in the kitchen first?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 9 of 10
9. The "Surrogate Determination Method" takes advantage of the fact that most three year olds can distinguish between ducks and cats with ease. Show pictures one at a time to a three year old, pointing to the picture and saying, "What does she (or, if you prefer, he) say?" The picture of which animal will elicit a "quack"?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)
Question 10 of 10
10. Those of you who have mastered the subtleties of animal emotional expression may wish to attempt "The Pillow Test" as a way of telling a duck from a cat. Hold up a down pillow in view of both animals. Which of the two will look at you reproachfully?

Answer: (One word - duck or cat)



Most Recent Scores
Today : Guest 98: 9/10
Mar 27 2024 : Tall21: 8/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 172: 10/10
Mar 25 2024 : izzybellat: 10/10
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Mar 22 2024 : HB24: 10/10
Mar 21 2024 : ZaNni_B_: 6/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. If you know what to look for, a duck can be distinguished from a cat without difficulty. In the "Jaw Test", one carefully inspects the two animals, looking for a well defined lower jaw. Which does not have one?

Answer: Duck

The mandible which forms the lower jaw of mammals forms the lower beak of birds, in which it is termed the "the lower mandible". A mallard duck may not have teeth, but the serrated edge of the mallard's bill increases its ability to grip large food items and allows it to strain small food items.
2. Another simple method for telling which of two animals is a duck and which is a cat is to perform the "Nostrils-In-The-Air Test". Locate the nostrils or nares of the two animals. The nostrils that point up belong to which animal?

Answer: Duck

The acuity of the sense of smell in birds is apparently a matter for dispute among ornithologists. It is known that pheromones from the female mallard affect the mating behavior of the male mallard.
3. The "Flotation Test" is another method for differentiating cats from ducks. Slowly and gently place the two test animals in water. Which will float higher?

Answer: Duck

Duck anatomy enhances duck buoyancy. Duck bones are hollow, and duck feathers trap air. When a duck is preening, it is spreading oil over its feathers to keep them waterproof.
4. Having performed the "Flotation Test" in which one attempts to discriminate between a duck and a cat by seeing which floats highest, one may observe the specimens for "post-flotation tail lashing". Which animal is LESS likely to be lashing its tail?

Answer: Duck

Our inability to speak with animals renders inferences regarding their emotional state somewhat speculative. Nonetheless, few cat owners could be convinced that behaviours such as purring and tail lashing are not associated with a subjective emotional experience. Those who wish an analysis of feline emotion might wish to consider reading "The Body Language and Emotion of Cats" by Myrna Milani.
5. The "High Toss Maneuver" will often reliably distinguish between ducks and cats. This method requires assistance. Standing on springy turf, on the count of three, you and your assistant should launch both animals as high into the air as possible and stand back. Which animal is more likely to fly away?

Answer: Duck

This test may be performed without fear of injury to the cat. A "Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association" found that 90% of 132 cats that fell to the ground from high rises from an average of 5.5 stories survived. Injuries actually declined for falls above seven stories. Why? Unlike human skydivers that reach maximal (terminal) velocities of 130-140 mph, a cat's terminal velocity is only 60 mph and is reached after falling approximately five stories. Soon after reaching this velocity, the cat relaxes and spreads out like a flying squirrel resulting in a less jarring impact.
6. Both ducks and cats are fond of fish. In the "Thirty Day Meal Rejection Test", one places identical portions of fish in front of the two animals twice daily and notes the animals' behavior. Which animal is more likely to sniff the food and walk away, nose in the air, without eating it? (Hint: Which animal actually has a nose?)

Answer: Cat

Cats are finicky eaters, and according to a Purina Corporation website, it's probably our (that is the pet owner's) fault. According to Purina, our varied offerings, particularly our giving of treats, causes our cats to try to "hold out" for better fare.

The Purina site also maintains that cats like to pick at their food; and when a cat wanders away after a few bites, it likely intends to return to for a few more nibbles. If you care to read the details of this owner-bashing view point go to "http://www.purina.ca/cats/nutrition.asp?article=9."
7. Utilizing stealth and a glass of water one can perform the "Back Run Off" to tell which of two animals is the duck and which is the cat. Carefully sneak up on the test animal and pour four ounces of water onto the test subject's back. Which animal will have retained more moisture in the area that the stream of water impacted?

Answer: Cat

The water runs of the duck's back in part because of the oil the duck applies to its feathers. The ducks uropygial gland located beneath the duck's tail produces the oil.
8. "The Can Opener Test" will usually distinguish between a duck and a cat. Place the two animals in a room as far distant from the kitchen as possible. Run the electric can opener. Which animal will likely appear in the kitchen first?

Answer: Cat

Not only can cats hear pitches much higher than those humans are able to hear, but cats can also hear higher frequencies than dogs. That means that cats hear dog whistles... but of course cats won't come.
9. The "Surrogate Determination Method" takes advantage of the fact that most three year olds can distinguish between ducks and cats with ease. Show pictures one at a time to a three year old, pointing to the picture and saying, "What does she (or, if you prefer, he) say?" The picture of which animal will elicit a "quack"?

Answer: duck

The cat's meow has, of course, been studied. Separate groups of human volunteers rated recorded cat meows for urgency and pleasantness. Not surprisingly, the calls that were rated more urgent were rate least pleasant. Speculating that "pleasant" cats would be adopted into human society preferentially, researches studied the vocalizations of African wild cats. Again unsurprisingly, these cat calls were almost universally unpleasant.
10. Those of you who have mastered the subtleties of animal emotional expression may wish to attempt "The Pillow Test" as a way of telling a duck from a cat. Hold up a down pillow in view of both animals. Which of the two will look at you reproachfully?

Answer: Duck

OK, this one's a bit more tongue in cheek. But if a duck could recognize a duck down filled pillow and if a duck could look reproachful, I'm sure this trick would work. In 1738 a French engineer devised a clockwork duck that could flap its wings, stand up, preen and even simulate drinking water.

In Paris he was able to charge people an amount equal to a week's wages to see this technological wonder.
Source: Author uglybird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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