Question: Why are manholes round?

Alternative Question Phrasing:

Follow-up questions:

Why?

Question Details:

Question Type:

Unconventional

Skills:

Basic – Critical Thinking,Basic – Science and Logic

Abilities:

Cognitive – Deductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Inductive Reasoning,Cognitive – Speed of Closure (Thinking Speed)

Work Activity (Task):

Mental Processes – Analyzing Data or Information,Mental Processes – Processing Information,Mental Processes – Thinking Creatively (Creativity)

Work Style (Person-Job Fit):

Analytical Thinking

Question Frequency

Question Difficulty

What to look for in an answer:

This question has been overused and the interviewee may already know the answer without having to have come up with it themselves. Assuming they do not already know the answer, you are looking to judge the thinking speed and logical thinking in the interviewee.

Red Flags to Watch For:

N/A

Sample Answer:

Because it is a shape where it cannot fit through smaller, similarly shaped, opening, regardless of its orientation. That is, a circle cannot pass through a smaller circle no matter how much it is turned and flipped around, however, a square can pass through a smaller square if angled in a certain direction. If the manhole cover is a circle and can’t fall through a smaller circular-shaped manhole opening, then it will stay in place and not become a health hazard.

Question Source: Unknown