Do you blow up, and can you make up, or do you sit and simmer until you're really cooked? Take this quiz to find out how to keep your cool when things are HOT.

1. After receiving an 82 on a science test, you look at your neighbour's paper and realise that for identical answers on question No. 5, you lost three points while he got full credit. After class you approach the teacher, point out her error and ask for the three points. She refuses. You:

   a) decide it isn't worth it and keep the unfair grade.
   b) burst into tears and flee.
   c) stomp out of the room, calling her a "jerk" under your breath.
   d) respectfully explain why you feel your answer deserves more credit.

2. You're dying to stay out late after the football game on Friday night; there's going to be a great party. You approach your parents and practically beg them to let you go. They say no. You:

   a) fight back tears of disappointment, but honour their decision.
   b) yell "You don't trust me," run into your room and slam the door.
   c) coolly accept their position and act artificially polite to them the rest of the weekend.
   d) beg, whine and plead with them to change their minds.

3. You share a room with your little sister. One day you come home from school and find her crying quietly on the bed. When you ask her what's the matter, she confesses that she has ransacked your private drawer and read your diary. She apologises. You:

   a) stalk out of the room, not trusting yourself to say anything.
   b) give her a big hug and tell her you forgive her.
   c) hit her.
   d) call her a "sneak," among other ugly names.

4. Your best friend starts dating the guy you've had your eye on for six months. She knows how you feel about him. You feel betrayed. You:

   a) completely ignore both of them.
   b) let resentment build inside of you until you're ready to explode.
   c) spread rumours about them.
   d) call her and tell her how you feel.

5. One weekend, your parents go out of town. Under no condition are you to let anyone in the house while they are gone. On Saturday morning, a friend's tyre blows out two blocks from your street. He walks to your house and asks to use the phone. You let him. When you parents return, they accuse you of letting a boy in the house in their absence. Without waiting to hear the whole story, they take away your phone privileges for a month. You're furious. You:

   a) resolve to go behind their backs for everything from now on--they don't listen anyway.
   b) pray about the situation and then write them a letter expressing your frustration.
   c) get into a shouting match with them.
   d) let anger smolder inside you at their unfair treatment.

6. You and your best friend decide to get a job flipping burgers this summer for a little extra cash. You both apply at the same place. You get hired; she doesn't. In an outburst of anger and revenge, your friend spreads an ugly rumor that the only reason you got the job was because your dad knew the manager and pulled some strings to get you in. When this rumor reaches you, you:

   a) quit the job to save the friendship.
   b) send her a hate-filled letter.
   c) confront your friend and make things right.
   d) lash out with a few choice words on your own.

7. How long does it take you to get over being outrageously mad?

   a) 2 seconds
   b) 10 minutes
   c) 2 days
   d) 10 years

SCORING: Use the answer key below to score yourself. Count up the number of letters you have, and use the highest number to find out your anger quotient.

1. a) P b) I c) N d) C
2. a) C b) I c) P d) N
3. a) P b) C c) I d) N
4. a) I b) P c) N d) C
5. a) N b) C c) I d) P
6. a) P b) N c) C d) I
7. a) I b) C c) N d) P

Mostly C's: Constructive Anger. Give yourself a pat on the back! You understand the value of not letting the "sun go down on your anger"; instead, you actively pursue solutions to your anger and resolve conflicts with others as soon as possible.

Keep working hard on your communication and self-discipline. Remember that anger itself is not wrong--it's what you choose to do with that emotion that's important.

Mostly I's: Impulsive Anger. You're a person whose anger can be potentially explosive and damaging. You don't think before you speak or act. You let the emotion of anger dictate your response to people and situations. This type of anger can often be destructive, especially if you choose to vent your irritation by throwing things or hitting others.

One of the things required of us is to have self-control. Are you out of control? Deal with your impulsiveness before you do something you'll truly regret.

Mostly N's: Negative Anger. Watch out! You are dealing with anger in negative ways, and you need to stop letting your temper control you! You should be kind and compassionate to others and be forgiving.

Negative anger often exposes itself in violent outbursts and biting, sarcastic remarks to others. It can be extremely damaging to relationships and friendships and can ultimately destroy them. Negative anger seeks to get revenge on others and tries desperately to wound them. If needed, get help from someone before you destroy yourself.

Mostly P's: Passive Anger. The danger of passive anger is that it often builds up inside of you until you explore in rage. It may seem like the way to control yourself, but unless you take your anger to the Lord and seek resolution within yourself and with others, you may be a time bomb ticking away, ready to burst. People who deal passively with anger tend to hold grudges, never forgiving the person who hurt them.

Forgiveness is essential in our every day lives. There is no quicker way to make yourself a bitter and ugly person than to allow resentment and rage to dominate your life. Get things right and resolve to deal with your anger constructively from now on. You'll be so glad you did!

This article was written by Focus on the Family Malaysia and extracted from the Brio Magazine published by Focus on the Family U.S.A with permission. Focus on the Family Tel:03-58823343, Fax: 03-58823533, focus@family.org.my or www.family.org.my.

Focus on the Family 90-second commentaries is aired over TRAXX FM at 12.05pm Monday to Friday