The Giraffe in the Refrigerator

[Former Member]

When I first got into business, the HR manager asked me a series of informal questions which claimed to test my suitability for corporate life.  As I recall, I didn't do so well on the quiz but I've still managed to figure out the corporate gig.  I recently came across the questions and started using them again - partly for fun and partly to see if they are applicable to new hires.

Here's the quiz with the correct answers and some associated commentary:

Question 1:  How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

Answer 1:  Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door.

This question tests whether you overcomplicate simple tasks.  Most people assume the giraffe is larger than the fridge and use elaborate descriptions to solve the problem.

Question 2:  How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

If you're like most people, you probably said "Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the door." That's the wrong answer.

Answer 2:  Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant, and close the door.

Question 2 is designed to test your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.  Each decision cannot be made in isolation.

Question 3:  The Lion King is hosting an animal conference.  All of the animals attend, except for one. Which animal does not attend?

Answer 3:  The elephant, of course.  You just put the elephant in the refrigerator.

Question 3 is designed to test your memory and to associate events which don't seem related.

Question 4:  You need to cross a river but it is inhabited by crocodiles. You don't have a boat but you do have a refrigerator.  What should you do?

Answer 4:  Jump into the river and swim across.  All of the crocodiles are attending the animal conference.

Question 4 is designed to see whether you can ignore extraneous information (the refrigerator) and whether you learn from your mistakes in the previous questions.

I doubt this quiz is scientifically accurate and therefore it's difficult to draw any specific conclusions from it.  Nonetheless, it's fun to consider what it might say about your personality.

How did you do on the quiz?

This blog was originally posted on Manage by Walking Around on March 13, 2016.

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