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About This Quiz
The name "Generation X" came from a novel by early-90s writer Douglas Coupland (whose 1961 birth date puts him dangerously close to being a Baby Boomer, not a Gen-Xer!). The book's full name was "Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture," and it told the story of the disaffection of the Reagan generation.ÂÂ
Where the millennials are saddled with their reputation as "snowflakes," Gen-X youth were "slackers." Early on, their movies represented parental pressure to conform and succeed -- consider the Brat Pack classic "The Breakfast Club" or Tom Cruise's "Risky Business." Later, Gen-X ambivalence toward education, ambition, and success was reflected in movies like "Reality Bites" and "Clerks," and the music of Nirvana and the rest of the grunge scene. But there was a colorful side to Gen-X culture, too, represented in its bright early-90s fashion, scrunchies, and neon-colored "Relax" shirts. (Frankly, we'd rather forget about that last one).ÂÂ
So whether you're part of Generation X yourself, or just interested in the "MTV Generation" and its culture, we've got a quiz for you. Do you remember what kind of school supplies was essential to Gen-X academic success? Or the video game that the teens of the 80s unwound with? Or what "Stay gold, Ponyboy" meant? Open up a bottle of Snapple and test your Generation X knowledge now!
Even when you have a full-time job, you feel like _______?
A slacker
Gen Xers identify with the word "slacker." They've also probably read "Generation X" by Douglas Coupland.
A winner
You're doing enough
Gen Xers remember which of these?
78 rpm records
The mixtape
Gen Xers were the generation of the mixtape. These song compilations took a long time to make, but they were great to give to your sweetheart.
Black and white TV
Gen Xers saw which of these?
Jack Benny Show
Howdy Doody Show
First MTV music video
The first video on MTV was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by the Buggles. Gen Xers were all about MTV and VHI. You probably remember the "Take On Me" video by A-ha.
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Screw "Mean Girls," it's all about _________.
The Women
Mommie Dearest
Heathers
"Heathers," starring Winona Ryder, was the original "Mean Girls." It also starred Christian Slater.
You were practically babysat by whom?
The Waltons
The Partridge Family
Bert and Ernie
It was all about Bert and Ernie. You also spent a lot of time with Tom and Jerry.
The hashtag is otherwise known as _____ ?
The pound sign
Gen Xers know that the hashtag is really just a pound sign. You used to have to use it on the phone.
The tic tac toe sign
Just a hashtag
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Hair was fixed with _______ ?
A scrunchie
Aquanet
Probably both
Scrunchies were mandatory for Gen Xers. Flyaways were treated with Aquanet or various hair gels.
What do you remember about Snapple?
It had more flavors
It didn't have the popping cap
It had a spokeswoman
Gen Xers remember that Snapple used to have the Snapple Lady! She was in all the commercials, like Flo for Progressive.
Which popular band of the era had the same name twice?
Beatles Beatles
Duran Duran
Duran Duran was big in the early days of MTV, when they still played music videos. The name "Duran Duran" came from an old Jane Fonda movie, "Barbarella."
Paramore Paramore
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How did you learn about drugs?
Your dealer
A book
The D.A.R.E program
Remember D.A.R.E.? That's how Gen Xers learned how to just say no to drugs.
Gen Xers used to think organic and gluten free were _____ ?
The best diet
Only for the rich
Nonexistent
Gen Xers had no clue about organic or gluten free. But they did know about low fat and highly processed!
Gen Xers watched what?
Arsenio Hall
Remember Arsenio Hall? You were probably part of the dog pound.
I Love Lucy
Fellini movies
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Gen Xers occasionally did what?
Wore no pants
Wore their clothes backwards
Gen Xers sometimes wore their clothes backwards. This was because they were in love with Kriss Kross!
Went topless
For Gen Xers, "Stay gold, Ponyboy" meant what?
Absolutely nothing
They should stay strong
"Stay gold, Ponyboy" was from "The Outsiders." Gen Xers know that it means to stay strong.
They should earn more money
Gen Xers have seen all of whose films?
Cecil B. DeMille
Ridley Scott
John Hughes
If you're a Gen Xer who hasn't seen all the John Hughes movies, then you're not a Gen Xer. No argument.
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You played what?
Pac-Man
It was all about Pac-Man. Oh, and Nintendo, and occasionally Atari.
X-box
Virtual reality games
Gen Xers all saw _______ ?
Footage of D Day
Footage of the Hindenburg
Footage of the Berlin Wall falling
Gen Xers remember the Berlin Wall falling. It was the end of the Cold War, and American viewers watched it on TV.
Gen Xers' education came largely from what source?
Private school
Military school
Schoolhouse Rock
Remember "Schoolhouse Rock"? It was a genius way of teaching kids about government and civics and more.
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Girls loved which of these?
Rainbow Brite
Care Bears
Both
Rainbow Brite and the Care Bears were staples. If a girl didn't have a Rainbow Brite bedspread, she wasn't a Gen Xer.
________ was popular literature.
Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears was the series that kids couldn't get enough of. Just seeing these books today brings a tear to the eye.
Faulkner
Victor Hugo
Gen Xers got to see the original ______?
Reality show
Gen Xers got to see the original reality show, which was "The Real World"! MTV revolutionized everything.
Game show
Variety show
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In their parents' house, Gen Xers still have what?
Old records
A book of old CDs
Remember having books of CDs? You probably still have one stashed away at your parents' house.
Their old iPod
Gen Xers had to carry around which of these?
A day planner
A business card holder
A Trapper Keeper
If you didn't have a Trapper Keeper, you were not a Gen Xer. These colorful folders were EVERYTHING.
Your stationary was all _______, as a Gen X girl.
Brooks Brothers
Papyrus
Lisa Frank
Girls lived for Lisa Frank stationary. If you had the Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper, you were double golden.
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Which were the shoes that Gen Xers coveted?
Skechers
Doc Martens
Even the smell of a new pair of Doc Martens was enough to make Gen Xers blush. They were just so good.
Aerosoles
You had a crush on who?
The Brat Pack
Whether you were a girl or a boy, there was someone to love in the Brat Pack. You also loved Martin Sheen's sons.
Marlon Brando
Toppel
Gen Xers were born when?
1960-1975
1961-1970
1965-1984
Gen Xers were born between 1965 and 1984 or other years around then, depending on who you choose to believe. A lot of stuff went down in those years!
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Is there a Generation Y?
Yes, I'm one of them!
I'm not sure
No
There is no Generation Y anymore. The Millennials come after the Gen Xers.
Gen Xers suffered depression when which celebrity passed away?
Kurt Cobain
River Phoenix
Both
Both Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix died when Gen Xers were growing up. This led to depression in many.
Gen Xers were defined by which decade?
The '70s
The '80s
Gen Xers are children of the 1980s. We remember Ronald Reagan fondly, even though we didn't understand his politics.
The '90s
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Gen Xers grew up in what kind of economy?
An economic boom
The depression
A recession
Gen Xers grew up in a recession. It was said that Gen Xers were going to do less well financially than their parents.
Gen Xers were drafted to fight in how many wars?
In one war
In two wars
In no wars
Gen Xers never had to fight in a war. That made them unique, compared to generations that came before.
Gen Xers were largely raised where?
In high rises
In townhouses
In the suburbs
Gen Xers are characterized as being raised in the 'burbs. That could be a blessing or a curse.
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You remember the first _______ T-shirts.
Tie-dyed
V-neck
Hypercolor
Hypercolor T-shirts changed color based on temperature. Now they probably sell for a fortune on eBay.
You Got:
/35
n/a