Assuming you are already at least somewhat interested in Benjamin, by taking the following quiz you can figure out whether it's really worth meeting him in person to see if there is a real spark. Remember, even if this quiz says that you and Benjamin are destined to be together, there is still only a 50% chance at best that sparks will fly in person. When it comes to love, chemistry is not a multiple-choice test. :-)
Any answers that match exactly to Benjamin's are a very good sign. Even if your answer is off by one, that's still pretty good. Answers that are off by two are not deal-breakers, but should definitely be discussed in more detail just to be safe. Answers that are off by three are deal-breakers, but if everything else seems really good, you might want to discuss things in more detail to make sure there isn't just a misunderstanding. An answer that is off by four means it just won't work.
Feel free to cheat on this quiz by asking Benjamin for clarifications on the questions (or on his answers), giving answers that aren't listed, giving fractional answers (2.5 if you can't choose between 2 and 3, for example), adding your own questions, changing the questions or answers, etc. You don't even have to tell Benjamin what your answers are if you don't want to. But please, be completely honest with yourself when you answer these questions. You are who you are and there is no point in pretending otherwise.
Yes, Benjamin is aware that you are likely highly amused (a good sign!), a little confused (that's okay), or a bit offended (not a good sign) by him sending you this quiz. He would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and patience. He knows this can be a bit awkward and that some of these questions are rather personal to say the least (remember--you don't need to tell Benjamin your answers at all or can only answer some of them). But at least once you've taken this quiz, you'll know right up front whether there is something that just won't work. If that's the case, you don't have to explain or justify anything (although you certainly can if you want). You can just tell him that dating won't work out and he will understand (and will still like you anyway--that's the kind of guy he is).
Once again, Benjamin apologizes if this seems too forward and greatly appreciates your willingness to be a good sport about it. Regardless of the results, Benjamin would love to take suggestions for additional questions to put on the quiz (and you are free to steal any of these and use them as you wish) and would appreciate being informed of any typos (no matter how small) that you spot. So sharpen your #2 pencil and let's begin:
Intelligence
1) I am extremely intelligent and my partner must be fairly smart as well.
2) I am extremely intelligent and prefer the same in a partner, but it is not critical.
3) I am fairly intelligent, but I don't need my partner to be particularly smart.
4) I am about average, but I have many other fine qualities.
5) I only get up to average on a good day, but I have many other fine qualities.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1
Confidence and Independence
1) I am quite confident/independent and my partner must be as well, at least most of the time.
2) I am quite confident/independent and prefer the same in a partner, but it is not critical.
3) I am fairly confident/independent, but I don't need my partner to be.
4) I can be confident/independent, but there are a lot of times that I am not.
5) I don't have much confidence/independence yet and I need a partner who can really support me a lot.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1
Cheerfulness and Optimism
1) I am almost always cheerful/optimistic and my partner must be as well, at least most of the time.
2) I am quite cheerful/optimistic and prefer the same in a partner, but it is not critical.
3) I am fairly cheerful/optimistic, but I don't need my partner to be.
4) I can be cheerful/optimistic, but there are a lot of times that I am not.
5) I am not really a cheerful/optimistic person. Deal with it.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1
Physical Affection (touches, hugs, kisses, playful bites, etc.)
1) Lots of physical affection is a critical part of a relationship for me--it is not optional.
2) I like physical affection, but lots of it is not absolutely critical for me.
3) Physical affection is fine with me, but I don't need that much of it.
4) Some physical affection is okay, but I can get overloaded with it and I don't really care for public displays of affection.
5) Physical affection is difficult for me and needs to be handled carefully and privately.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1
Commitment
1) I'm looking for a long-term permanent relationship only. Please don't waste my time if you are not serious.
2) I'm looking for a long-term permanent relationship, but I won't say no to something short-term.
3) I'm not sure what I'm after, but I am open to any possibilities. Let's just see what happens.
4) I'm just looking to have some fun, but if something more develops, that's okay too.
5) I'm just looking to have some fun and I am not interested in anything long-term.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Religion
1) Religion and spirituality are not really important to me, and my partner cannot be very religious.
2) I'm more spiritual/philosophical and not religious in any normal sense, but most religions are okay with me.
3) I'm somewhat religious, I guess. Probably more from how I was raised than anything else.
4) My religion is a part of my life, but I only need my partner to accept that, not share my beliefs.
5) My religion is a central part of my life and I need someone who shares similar beliefs.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Politics
1) Politics are not really important to me, and my partner cannot be heavily into politics either.
2) I vote when I can, but I don't really have a particular political viewpoint.
3) I've got some moderate political views, but I can get along with just about any type of politics.
4) I have some strong political views, but I don't need my partner to share them.
5) I have very strong political views and I need someone who shares a lot of them.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #3.5
Environmentalism
1) There are a lot of things much more important than the environment to worry about.
2) I care about clean air and clean water, but I'm not really an environmentalist.
3) I try to recycle, drive less, etc., but life sometimes gets in the way.
4) I'm quite green, but I only need my partner to accept that, even if they aren't very green themselves.
5) I'm as green as you can get and I need someone who cares a lot about the environment.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Fitness
1) I'm very physically fit and need someone who is in fairly good shape as well.
2) I'm physically fit and prefer a partner who is as well, but it's not critical.
3) I'm about average and I do what I can to stay somewhat fit.
4) I'm not very physically fit, but I'm basically healthy and would be open to getting in better shape.
5) I'm not physically fit at all (weight problems/health problems/etc.) and need someone who is okay with that.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Pets
1) I love pets and will always have lots them if I can. I need someone who really likes pets as well.
2) I really like pets and have some, but I wouldn't expect someone else to take care of them.
3) I like pets, but don't have any. I'm very flexible about the type and number of pets I have.
4) I would prefer not to have pets, but I'm okay with some, as long as I'm not the one really responsible for them.
5) I cannot live with pets at all (allergic, perhaps?).
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #3.5
Vegetarianism
1) I am a strict vegetarian/vegan and I need someone who is at least willing to not eat meat.
2) I am a vegetarian/vegan, but my partner doesn't have to be.
3) I'm not currently a vegetarian/vegan, but I would be willing to be with the right person.
4) I'm not willing to give up meat, but I'd be okay if my partner doesn't eat meat.
5) I'm not willing to give up meat and I need someone who is not a vegetarian/vegan.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #5
Drinking
1) I do not drink at all and need someone who drinks very little if at all.
2) I do not drink at all, but it's okay if my partner does.
3) I drink some socially, but not very much and I don't get drunk.
4) I drink a moderate amount and might get drunk on rare occasions.
5) I drink regularly and enjoy getting drunk occassionally.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Smoking
1) I do not smoke at all and need someone does not smoke either.
2) I do not smoke at all, but might be willing to date someone who is trying to quit.
3) I don't really smoke, but it's okay if my partner does.
4) I smoke some, but I am trying to quit.
5) I smoke regularly and I am not interested in trying to quit.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1.5
Drugs
1) I do not use drugs at all and need someone who does not use them either.
2) I do not use drugs at all, but might be willing to date someone who uses mild drugs occasionally.
3) I don't really use drugs, but it's okay if my partner uses mild drugs.
4) I use mild drugs occasionally, but never hard drugs.
5) I use mild drugs regularly and hard drugs occasionally.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #1
Disease
1) I do not have any diseases and need someone who is also disease-free.
2) I do not have any diseases and would prefer the same in a partner, but would not automatically reject someone who did.
3) I have had a serious disease in the past, or currently have a mild disease.
4) I have a serious disease that is not contagious, or a contagious disease in remission.
5) I have a serious, contagious disease and need someone who is willing to deal with that.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Promiscuity
1) I have had more sexual partners than I can count and I don't regret it at all.
2) I've had a lot of sexual partners in the past, but I've definitely slowed it down a lot.
3) I've had a moderate amount of sexual partners (less than twenty), but nothing crazy.
4) I haven't had a lot of sexual partners, but I don't mind if my partner has.
5) I haven't had a lot of sexual partners and I need the same from my partner.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #4
Fidelity
1) I need to be in an open relationship. Monogamy is not for me.
2) I'm happy to be in an open relationship, but I can do monogamy too. I'm open to most possibilities with the right person.
3) I would definitely prefer to be in an exclusive relationship, but won't automatically say no to other possibilities.
4) Once a relationship gets serious, it should be exclusive. It's okay if you flirt with others, though (even when I'm around).
5) You only have eyes for me. Flirting with others is not okay.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Kinkiness
1) I'm very kinky (BSDM and such things) and my partner must be as well (or be willing to learn).
2) I'm a bit kinky (non-vanilla sex) and I'm willing to try anything that isn't extreme or dangerous.
3) I'm adventurous and flexible. If my partner really likes it, I'm probably willing to give it a try.
4) I've never really explored such things, but might be willing to with the right person.
5) I'm not interested in such things and my partner should not be either.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Sex Drive
1) Every day, if possible, but certainly several times a week at least.
2) Several times a week, if possible, but at least once a week.
3) Several times a week is nice, but sometimes a bit of a break can be nice too.
4) Once a week is plenty for me, but at least once a month.
5) Once a month is plenty for me, and even less could be okay.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #3 (although #2 or even #1 early in a relationship)
Gender Preference
1) Gender doesn't really matter to me at all.
2) I prefer the opposite gender, but for the right person, I could definitely be convinced.
3) I've never considered a non-heterosexual relationship, but I guess I can't completely rule it out.
4) I'm completely heterosexual, but it's okay if my partner isn't.
5) I'm completely heterosexual and my partner must be as well.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2
Long Distance (only matters if in different cities and the normal "off by one/two/etc." stuff doesn't apply)
1) I'm okay with a long-distance relationship and would be willing to move if things got serious.
2) I'm okay with a long-distance relationship, but it would definitely make a long-term relationship less likely.
3) I would prefer not to be in a long-distance relationship, but I won't completely rule it out.
4) I can't be in a long-distance relationship, but a fairly nearby town might work.
5) I can't be in a long-distance relationship and I'm only looking for someone in the same metropolitan area.
BENJAMIN'S ANSWER: #2