7. Your roommate was in a cleaning mood and she rearranged entire kitchen. You

a) thank her... then start to nitpick. "why are dish towels next to oven instead of next to sink?", "why didn't you..." b) can't find anything anymore, so you put everything back in it's original place. c) are ecstatic. Thank God you don't have to mess with cleaning that mess! d) turn each of bottles of spices so that labels face in same direction

8. You come home and hear your roommate crying. You

a) ask what's wrong... but when she says "nothing" you don't ask again b) let her cry... if she needs you, she'll come to you. What's going on with her is her business. c) Ask what's wrong. When she says "nothing" you ask if she's SURE, and if she still says no you give her a hug and say "Well, you know where I am if you need me." d) act like you don't hear her and turn on T.V.

If you picked:

MOSTLY A's - Having a roommate will take some getting used to... but you should be able to handle it. You enjoy your privacy and if you find right roommate, you should be able to keep most things private. You don't like people you don't really know brought into your environment... but once you get past that first awkward stage, you do okay. You will do better off if you live with an old friend - someone you're already comfortable with and who is willing to live with your picky personality and love you anyway. Do NOT try to find a roommate through an agent locator service. You will only drive each other crazy.

MOSTLY B's - You aren't quite ready to leave home yet. You like to be taken care of. Overall, you generally keep to yourself. You don't like confrontations. You're incredibly close to your family... which isn't always a bad thing. But do you really want to invite your date back to your place for a cup of coffee and some cuddling in front of fire... and your parents?! If you are financially dependent on your parents, try to wean yourself off of them. You might consider paying them rent. If you've lived under your parent's wings your entire life, it will be hard to become independent... but you have to do it sometime.

MOSTLY C's - You're more than ready to get out in real world, and you're probably ready for whatever kind of roommate you run in to. You've got a great sense of humor, but if situation calls for seriousness, you're responsible enough to handle it. You're very flexible and open minded. You aren't afraid to meet new people or try new things. If you can't find any friends that need a roommate, you might consider checking out one of those roommate locator services.

MOSTLY D's - Living with a roommate is not necessarily for you. Unless you can find someone who has a schedule opposite from your own, you'll probably be happier living in a smaller apartment by yourself. You keep to yourself, and you like it that way. You don't like change. You like things to be organized a certain way. You'd rather make coffee at home than go to Starbuck's. You're definitely not a social butterfly. Living with a roommate would make you feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, that paycheck from Burger World might not give you any option but to search for a roommate who's either just like you or works late when you work early.

Lead-based paint and other lead-containing materials (including mini-blinds) also have received considerable attention in recent years. The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazards Reduction Act, passed in 1992, requires landlords and sellers of pre-1978 properties to disclose presence of lead-based paint or other lead-based materials to prospective buyers or tenants.

The subject of numerous articles in recent years, carbon monoxide is one of most serious and most common air pollutants present in multifamily housing. Fireplaces, gas or oil stoves, or gas or kerosene space heaters are all common emitters of carbon monoxide. The good news is that you can protect yourself by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector. You can't always assume that your landlord has purchased one because these detectors are somewhat expensive. By all means, ask. Chances are good that you're going to have to take matters into your own hands and purchase one yourself. It won't hurt to ask if purchase can be deducted from this month's rent, but don't count on it.

Turning to subject of pest control, before you sign a lease, ask your landlord how often property is sprayed to prevent infestation. Can you get his or her response in writing? Ground-floor residents are particularly prone to pesky visitors, including cockroaches, fleas, ants and rodents. If you spot any of these creatures even occasionally, call your landlord and report problem immediately. Rodents, of course, are transmitters of disease, but roaches' bodies and their droppings actually contain substances which contribute to poor air quality and even respiratory problems -- most notably, asthma.

If your prospective landlord doesn't volunteer information about environmental quality of building to which you're considering a move, ask. Odds are, of course, that you're going to hear a glowing report of building's environmental quality, and while you shouldn't be cynical, get it in writing. After all, you're making a financial investment with your signature on that lease. If landlord wants your patronage, he or she will comply without resistance. And if not, renters' market is a competitive one; you won't have to look far to find a landlord who won't blink at your request. Happy -- and healthy -- hunting.