Could You Survive in Nunavut?

By: Ashley Linkletter
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Could You Survive in Nunavut?
Image: Istvan Hernadi photography... Mountain Visions / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

To say that the territory of Nunavut is vast would be an understatement. Nunavut is the largest of all Canada's provinces and territories, covering an expanse of 2,093,190 snow-covered square kilometres — almost all of which are uninhabited by other humans. Nunavut's expanse is so great that it covers 1/5th of Canada's landmass, including all of Baffin Island and Ellesmere Island. In fact, if Nunavut was its own country it would be the 15th largest in the entire world. In addition to its impressive size, Nunavut is infamous for its sub-zero temperatures, around-the-clock darkness (or light, depending on the time of year) and isolated communities. Nunavut is so remote from the rest of Canada that it's only accessible via plane — there are only 850 kilometres of road throughout the entire territory, most of which are inaccessible throughout the year.

Survival in Nunavut isn't that difficult — unless you have a strong dislike of the cold, extremely high grocery prices and snowstorms. If these conditions sound favourable, you're in for a treat: Nunavut possesses each of them in excess. Did you grow up in a cold region of Canada or did the temperature rarely dip below zero? Do you have a fondness for outdoor winter activities or would you prefer to spend cold days inside with the thermostat at a generous 25 degrees Celsius? This quiz will determine whether Nunavut should be on your travel list (or possibly your permanent home) all you need to do is determine whether or not you'd be a good fit for this remote and largely unexplored region of Canada!

1 trophies
Noel Hendrickson / DigitialVision / Getty Images
There's a trophy case in your house full of awards and memorabilia — how did you earn these prizes?
I was the captain of the hockey team.
I was on a curling team.
I used to be a competitive figure skater.
I won the World Darts Championship several times.
2 watching nature docs
Garage Island Crew / Cultura / Getty Images
If you're not at work you can usually be found binge-watching nature documentaries. Which documentary do you always come back to?
"Arctic Tale"
"March of the Penguins"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"Africa: The Serengeti"
3 olympic training
Digital Vision / DigitalVision / Getty Images
You're busy training for the next Olympics — which event are you training for?
Synchronized swimming
Snowboarding
Biathlon
Cross-country skiing

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4 outdoor date
Thanasis Zovoilis / Moment / Getty Images
You and your crush are going on a first date and they've requested it be outdoors. What do you have planned?
A picnic
A walk
Rock climbing
Tobogganing
5 biggest phobia
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Don't worry, we won't tell anyone! We need to know: what is your biggest phobia?
Being in small airplanes
Getting lost in a shopping mall
Snow storms
Giant snakes
6 fresh snow
DC Productions / Photodisc / Getty Images
Your neighbourhood is covered with freshly fallen snow — what's the first thing you have planned for an afternoon of fun?
I'm going to build a snow tunnel.
I'm going to make a skating rink in my backyard.
I'm getting out the snow shoes!
I'm going to have some hot chocolate and read a book.

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7 taxi
Thomas Bonfert / Moment / Getty Images
How much are you willing to pay for a taxi or lift service?
$7
$10
$15
$40
8 vancouver bc
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Depending on where you live, some regions experience even colder temperatures than those found in Nunavut. Where are you currently living?
Vancouver, British Columbia
Toronto, Ontario
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Winnipeg, Manitoba
9 weeknight dinner
kcline / E+ / Getty Images
It's dinner time on a weeknight! What are your plans?
I cook from scratch using whatever I have on hand.
I heat up a frozen dinner.
I go over to a friend's house for dinner.
I use a meal delivery service.

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10 paraguay
Alex Robinson Photography / Moment / Getty Images
You and a friend have decided to take a trip together — where are you going?
Paraguay
Iceland
Denmark
Florida
11 emergency kit
schfer / E+ / Getty Images
Survival experts always recommend having an emergency preparedness kit on hand — do you have one ready in case of emergency?
Yes, it's right beside my bed (along with an extra pair of shoes.)
No, but I've been meaning to make one.
Yes
No, I'll be OK without one if there's an emergency.
12 bus stop
Marcel ter Bekke / Moment / Getty Images
It's a freezing cold night and you're waiting for the bus — how do you warm up?
I'm not cold because I dressed for the cold weather.
I use the emergency hand warmers I keep in my bag.
I huddle up and hope the bus arrives early.
I jump up and down to get my blood moving.

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13 how cold is too cold
Richard McManus / Moment / Getty Images
One person's cold weather is another person's tropical paradise. In your opinion, how cold is too cold?
-20
15
-40
-27
14 household chore
mladenbalinovac / E+ / Getty Images
What is one household chore you're always willing to do if nobody else volunteers?
Shovelling the drive way
De-icing the windshields
Cleaning out the freezer
Vacuuming
15 buying milk
Noel Hendrickson / DigitialVision / Getty Images
Are you OK with paying up to $12.50 for 2 litres of milk?
Yes, if that's how much it costs.
I guess I would if I really needed it.
No problem!
No way!

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16 turn up the heat
Elke Meitzel / Cultura / Getty Images
Are you always telling people to crank up the thermostat, even when the house is already warm?
No, the colder the better.
No
Only if I've been outside for several hours in the cold.
Yes
17 one season all year
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If you had your way it would be one season all year long — which season would you choose?
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
18 midnight sun
Noppawat Tom Charoensinphon / Moment / Getty Images
Depending on the time of year, Northern communities are well-known for having periods of around-the-clock darkness or light. Do you think you would enjoy this phenomenon?
Yes, I think it would be great!
Maybe — I could probably manage it if I had to.
Yes but it would be difficult.
I couldn't handle that kind of light (or lack of light.)

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19 warmest coat
RyersonClark / E+ / Getty Images
What is the warmest coat you currently have hanging in your front closet?
A spring jacket
A puffy down-filled coat with matching snow pants
A standard winter jacket
A trench coat
20 library
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You're in the middle of writing a book and need to do some research — which section of the library will you be looking in?
Parapsychology and occultism
Social sciences
Public administration
Fishing, hunting, shooting
21 adopting a dog
filadendron / E+ / Getty Images
You've made the big decision to adopt a dog — what kind of dog is at the top of your list?
Alaskan Malamute
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Siberian Husky
Chihuahua

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22 town size
Richard McManus / Moment / Getty Images
What kind of living community are you currently residing in?
A small community in the middle of nowhere
A small town
A medium-sized city
A large city
23 car shipping
5m3photos / Moment / Getty Images
The cost of shipping a car up North can be very expensive — would you be willing to leave your car behind?
Yes
Yes — but I'll really miss it!
No, I need my car no matter what.
Definitely — who needs a car when there are so few roads?
24 new year
Ali Majdfar / Moment / Getty Images
The clock has just struck midnight and a new year has begun! Where are you most likely to be in that moment?
Embarking on a polar bear swim
Having a snow ball fight with my friends
Cross-country skiing in the forest
Keeping warm inside at a party

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25 snow carving
Flavio Vallenari / E+ / Getty Images
How would you rank your snow carving skills?
Not good — snow and I are like oil and water.
Good — I'm prepping for a competition right now.
Pretty good
Amazing — I can build a completely insulated snow cave in under an hour.
26 eating fish
Evan Mitsui (FSP) / Moment / Getty Images
Fish is a major dietary staple for Northern communities. Do you enjoy eating fish?
Yes, it's my favourite food.
Yes, it's pretty good.
I like canned tuna and that's it.
I hate eating fish.
27 hat hair
Nancy Honey / Cultura / Getty Images
Sometimes you need to sacrifice vanity for the sake of practicality. Are you willing to put up with "hat hair" almost all year long?
Sure, why not?
No, my hair needs to be seen!
Yes, definitely
If I have to I will.

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28 mining
Monty Rakusen / Cultura / Getty Images
Northern Canada employs many individuals in both the private and public sectors. What kind of sector do you work in?
Education
Agriculture
Mining
Manufacturing goods
29 bush plane
Harlan Schwartz / Moment / Getty Images
Traveling to and from the Territories can be difficult — and usually requires the use of a small plane. Do the majority of your family and friends live in Southern Canada?
No
A few aunts and uncles (and I never see them anyway.)
Most of my friends live in Southern Canada.
Everyone I know lives on the West Coast.
30 igloo
Christopher Kimmel / Moment / Getty Images
If you were in a group of survivors, what is the one skill you could bring to the table that no one else would have?
I can open a tin of food without a can opener.
I know first aid.
I can make a snow shelter out of snow.
I can make a raft out of twigs and wooden boughs.

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