I pussed out and picked neither on the basis that I would be able to sacrifice myself for both of them.
I can see why people would choose significant other for reproductive purposes too.
Welp, I guess I fail, too.
This is a key difference, I think, between Eastern philosophies and Western. I’m pretty sure in India you would also be expected to save your mother, and I would equally fail. (I probably wouldn’t actually push her into the fire.) But blood trumps all in my birth culture. Sons, especially, are always expected to obey their mothers above all.
Not even a thought. My mother hated me; damned if I’d rescue her.
My mother would never allow me to save her over my husband. She loves him like a son and would prefer her grandson to have two living parents.
China would probably tell you to save your mom before your children.
Super easy question for me. My mother is a vile completely evil woman. Heck, I’d even save my ex-wife over her.
Not trying to be harsh, just totally honest.
I love my mom. My mom loves me. I know that woman. She would want me to save my husband. She would be devastated if I let my husband die to save her.
Considering my mother and I have been estranged for more than 25 years, this one is easy. Save the hubby!
Well, if my mother was alive and I had a significant other, I’d probably save my mom. She’s old and female and physically more in need of assistance. I suspect the question is meant to go beyond the practical, but my default would always be to help the most needy in any situation. Not sure how I would feel if hypothetical SO was the father of my child.
You’re the one who set the fire, weren’t you?
This. And I’m not at all joking.
Ex always knew he’d have to save himself 'cuz I’d be busy dragging the dogs to safety.
If my mother were alive and I was still with the Ex? They’d both be on their own and I’d still be saving the dogs.
What? Ummm. No way. I was in another county that day. I’m sure someone saw me. 
Count me as another who’ll throw Mama under the bus.
If I didn’t, my wife would kill me.
My wife. By my mother I was taught that your spouse is the most important person in your life. And, somewhat surprisingly if you knew her, she respected that dictum after I got married.
I also guessed that the “correct” answer was going to be.
No contest-- fiance.
I figured the “correct” answer on the test would be your mom.
However, my mom (who is 73) would tell me that she had a long life, and to save my SO and live a long and happy life with him.
Then again, my last SO died at age 44 and she knows how utterly gutted I was, so you know.
ETA: The hell with it. I’m saving the cats. Mom would also approve of that, as long as I got her cats too.
I understand the “correct” answer culturally, but even as an American, it’s not a cut and dry answer, I don’t think. I’m currently single, so saving my mother is obvious. If I were married and/or had kids with a woman, I’d save her over my mom. But there’s a fuzzy line between those. I suppose “significant other” implies a serious relationship, which would lean in that direction, but if I’ve just been dating someone for a few weeks or months, I’d still probably be inclined to save my mom first. It’s just difficult to imagine at exactly what point in a relationship I’d pick her over my mother.
I don’t have a SO, so I’m answering solely out of pure imagination.
I’d save my SO. And the reason is very simple. I can’t imagine ever loving someone enough to want to share my life with them. This includes my own mother, who I love dearly. So if I found someone who I was willing to identify as a SO, that means they have managed to make me feel things that I have never felt before. Their love for me and my love for them would be of the mind-blowing, earth-stopping, life-altering kind.
As I said, I love my mother dearly. But the love I have for her doesn’t rise to this occasion. I love her, but I am not in love with her.
I’d save my mother over just about anyone else, including myself. But monstro’s SO? No. Maybe I am putting romantic love on a unreasonably lofty pedestal since I’ve never experienced it before. But it just seems to me that the love one chooses to develop is very different from the love that arises from more basic biology and circumstance.
I love my mom, but she’s had a good run. Hell, I’d probably save my ex-wife over my mom, too.