The Mills family had traveled to their vacation cabin which was next to a large, beautiful lake in the mountains. Mr. and Mrs. Mills and their three children, Brock (age 6), Cindy (age 7), and Susan (age 8) had come to the lake to relax for the weekend. They were all looking forward to taking a long, relaxing swim in the lake, and to try out the brand new boat Mr. Mills had just purchased for some family fun. As they were swimming near the middle of the lake, it dawned on Mr. Mills that their son Brock was not in the water with them. Suddenly, with no warning, the family heard motor sounds and saw their newly-purchased boat speeding directly toward them, accompanied by the maniacal laughter of their missing child, Brock. Again and again, Brock drove the boat directly at his vulnerable family, laughing insanely each time it passed near them. "I told Brock not to go near that boat unless I was with him," shouted Mr. Mills, "and now he's trying to kill us with it!" However, Mrs. Mills nonchalantly responded, "Oh, boys will be boys." Considering the circumstances, why was Mrs. Mills so cavalier concerning her son's disobedient and reckless behavior, and why did she seem unconcerned about her six-year-old driving a boat without supervision?
Think about the context of the situation and the fact that the family was "swimming near the middle of the lake"... what does that imply about Brock's ability to operate the boat?
Mr. Mills had bought the family a new remote controlled boat, but bad boy Brock decided to ignore his father’s instructions, and sent the two-foot long boat on its maiden voyage as a mischievous prank on his family. I don’t envy Brock when his father reaches shore.
A butterfly flies to a rock in the middle of a huge lake and stops to rest. If it swims North, it's five minutes to the mainland. If it swims East, it's four minutes to the mainland. If it swims South, it's three minutes to the mainland. And if it swims West, it's two minutes to the mainland. In which direction should the butterfly swim?
Think about the shape of the lake and the rock's location...
The butterfly shouldn't swim in any direction because butterflies don't swim; they fly!
After retiring from military service in the Army, friends Terry and Ron decided to pool their money and purchase the supplies needed to build their very own sailing ship. Together, they used the skills taught to them during their service in the Army Corps of Engineers, and after just a few months, their beautiful craft was complete. The strange thing is, that Ron and Terry became very protective of their newly-built ship. Never once did the two friends ever invite anyone to go sailing on the vessel. No one was allowed to put even one foot on the deck of the boat they had built together. They even restricted themselves from sailing on it!!! Finally, they decided to cover the entire ship with a clear covering, hoping to discourage anyone from even touching the vessel. Why do you suppose Terry and Ron became so overprotective of their new sailing ship?
Think about the phrase " Army Corps of Engineers"... what does it imply about the skills Terry and Ron learned during their service?
A boy is five feet tall and records his height by hammering a nail in a tree and carving his hame. Five years later he returns to the same tree and finds that it has grown on average 16 inches per year.
How high now, is the nail from the ground?
Think about what's changing and what's not...
It is still five feet tall because only the top of the tree grows. The trunk only gets bigger by circumference.
Taylor was walking home from the gym when someone ran up in front of the woman and hit her on the right side of her face. The woman went right to the police station to report the attack. The detectives had found three people-Mike, Jerry, and Jack-and arrested them. How can the detectives figure out who really attacked Taylor?
Pay attention to the pronouns used in the story, particularly when referring to the victim and the attackers.
The detectives should give each suspect a marker and ask them to write their names on a whiteboard. Taylor was hit on the right side of her face, which means that the person who attacked her is left-handed. The detectives just need to observe which of the three suspects writes with his left hand, and that person should be arrested.
Terry lives part-time in a mobile home, but it is a most unusual place. Terry's mobile home has no front or back door, so Terry can only enter his home through the roof. His home has no kitchen or basement or attic; and most importantly, his home has no bathroom! Considering all of these basic housing deficiencies, it is no wonder Terry's mental health has again come into question, as he often feels compelled to start shooting at strangers from within the confines of his mobile home. It doesn't seem possible, but the authorities are 100% supportive of Terry's actions! Has Terry snapped mentally? Is he in need of immediate psychiatric treatment, or is his mental health more normal than it appears? And why do the authorities permit Terry to shoot at others? Just what is going on here?
Think about a place where people often gather to watch a specific activity, and the "mobile home" is not a typical residence, but rather a vehicle of sorts...
Terry is a soldier in the U.S. Army. He operates an armored Tank in the service of our country.
If you like pretty gems that sparkle and shine, I invite you to dig in my virtual mine. My first is purple, fit for a king, My second is green where Dorothy did her thing. My third is red, July's birthstone as well, My fourth is seen in strings and is found inside a shell. My fifth is hard, pure Carbon, and expensive to buy, My sixth is Crocidolite, striped like the big cat's eye. Seventh is two words, a man-made fake of April's stone, Eighth is very dark and found at Lightning Ridge alone. Now take from each gem, one letter in its turn, And you will find the stuff for which even the gods yearn. What am I?
Here's a hint:
Pay attention to the birthstones mentioned in the riddle, and think about what the gods yearn for in mythology. The answer is a substance, not a gemstone itself.
Answer: Ambrosia The gems are: Amethyst Emerald ( Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz ) Ruby Pearl Diamond Tiger's eye Cubic Zirconium (Fake diamond) Black Opal Taking the first letter of Amethyst, second of Emerald, etc.. gives Ambrosia - The food of the gods.
A student zips on his scooter to ride to the train station to get to college. His home is close to two stops; the first one is a mile from home, and the second is two miles from home in the opposite direction. In the morning, he always gets on at the first stop and in the afternoon, he always gets off at the second one.
Why?
Think about the direction of travel...
The sations and his home are on a hill, which allows him to ride down easily on his scooter.
I'm invisible to the eye. I can never die but without me, you will die. People keep me in jars and boxes but when will they realize that I'm as close as thin air. I'm never easy to be found but sometimes caught lurking around. What am I?
"Think about something that is essential for human survival, yet it's not a living thing and can't be seen with the naked eye. It's often stored in containers, but it's also all around us, and sometimes it can be felt or sensed, even if it can't be directly seen."
In 2000, a 40-year-old doctor told his son that when a little boy he decided to be a doctor by seeing a internet web site about performing a heart transplant on a puppy with a defective heart so that the puppy would live a normal life. I then thought that I would be a doctor so that I could help people in a similar way. What is the defect in this story?
Think about the timeline: when did the internet become widely available, and when was the first heart transplant performed?
The internet did not exist when the doctor was a little boy.
Tom and his younger sister were fighting. Their mother was tired of the fighting and decided to punish them by making them stand on the same piece of newspaper in such a way that they couldn't touch each other. How did she accomplish this?
Tom's mother slid a newspaper under a door, each sibling standing on each side.
Many years ago, a wealthy old man was near death. He wished to leave his fortune to one of his three children. The old man wanted to know that his fortune would be in wise hands. He stipulated that his estate would be left to the child who would sing him half as many songs as days that he had left to live. The eldest son said he couldn't comply because he didn't know how many days his father had left to live, and besides he was too busy. The youngest son said the same thing. The man ended up leaving his money to his third child, a daughter. What did his daughter do?
Every other day, the daughter sang her father a song.
There were 5 children in a room. Iris drew a picture, Barry played video games, Andrew played chess, and Trina read a book. What is the fifth child, Mindy, doing?
Mindy is playing chess with Andrew. You can't play chess alone!
Imagine that you have three eggs. Now, I give you four eggs. And your rooster lays two more eggs. How many eggs do you have now?
Think about the role of a rooster in an egg-laying scenario...
You have four eggs–the ones I gave you. Those three eggs from the start don't count because they're imaginary (IMAGINE that you have three eggs). And those two eggs your rooster lays don't count either because roosters don't lay eggs.
Two friends-Nora and Ashley-were going home after doing their weekly grocery shopping. Ashley began to complain about how heavy her bags were, and Nora responded, "If you gave me one of your bags, I'd have double the number of bags you have! And if I gave you one of mine, we'd have the same number of bags!". How many bags does each friend have?
Think about the number of bags Nora has in terms of Ashley's bags, and pay attention to the phrase "double the number of bags you have"...
Nora has seven bags, while Ashley has just five bags.
Four friends-Chloe, Evelyn, Francesca, and Grace-went out for lunch. Someone asked them about their ages, and this is what they said: "Evelyn is three times older than Francesca. But three years ago, Francesca was a year younger than Chloe is now. And Grace is two times older than Francesca,". Can you rank the girls in order of their ages?
Think about the relationships between the girls' ages in terms of simple equations, and try to find a common link between them. Focus on Francesca's age, as it seems to be the central piece of the puzzle.
From oldest to youngest, the order is as follows: Evelyn, Grace, Francesca, and Chloe. Evelyn is three times older than Francesca, and Grace is two times older than Francesca. Evelyn is older than Grace because multiplying a number by three will result in a greater number than multiplying the number by two. Both of them are older than Francesca, but if it was three years ago that Francesca was a year younger than Chloe is now, then Francesca is two years older than Chloe. Therefore, Evelyn is the oldest, followed by Grace, then Francesca, and then Chloe.
Old Mr. Tilly was found dead in his study by Mr. Foster. Mr. Foster recounted his dismal discovery to the police. "I was walking by Mr. Tilly`s house when I thought I would just pop in for a visit. I noticed his study light was on and I decided to peek in from the outside to see if he was in there. There was frost on the window, so I had to wipe it away to see inside. That is when I saw his body. So I kicked in the front door to confirm my suspicions of foul play. I called the police immediately afterward." The officer immediately arrested Mr. Foster for the murder of Mr. Tilly. How did he know Mr. Foster was lying?
Here's a hint:
Think about the season and the condition of the window...
Frost forms on the inside of the window, not the outside. So Mr. Foster could not have wiped it off to discover Mr. Tilly`s body.
Cameron Fitzgerald, a famous scientist, was found killed in his laboratory. Detective R.I. Dill was called to the scene. The only clue was a written note saying "66, 57, 7 - P.T" Detective Dill found 4 suspects who were nearby at the time of the murder. Jake Willow, Cameron's best friend, Samantha Fitzgerald, Cameron's wife, Dylan Hemlock, Cameron's assistant, and Amy Dill, Det. Dill's sister and Cameron's chauffeur. After re-reading the note, Detective Dill immediately knew who it was. Who was the killer and how did Detective Dill know? (Hint - The answer is science-related)
Hint: Think about the Periodic Table of Elements...
It was Dylan. The note was referring to the periodic table of elements, a.k.a 'P.T' The numbers 66, 57 and 7 are (in order): Dysprosium, Lanthanum and Nitrogen. Dysprosium is symbolized by 'Dy', Lanthanum for 'La' and Nitrogen is 'N'.
My little circle of friends here, getting bumped off one-by-one, reminds me of Agatha Christie's famous murder mystery "Ten Little Indians", where a small group of people are knocked off, one at a time, until only the killer and one person is left. The main difference is that in Christie's novel, the last survivor was to die by hanging, but in my situation, the sole survivor will be given "The Chair"! Should this person call the police? Is there a life-and-death scenario going on here, or is everyone's safety assured? What exactly is happening?
Think about a common, everyday situation where a group of things are gradually eliminated, one by one, until only one remains... and that last one gets "The Chair".
The person, along with a small group of their friends, is engaged in a game of Musical Chairs. "The Chair" is always reserved for the last person left.
A woman went into a bank to cash an insurance refund check. By mistake the teller gave her dollars for cents and cents for dollars. She put the money in her purse but accidentally dropped a nickel on the floor. When she got home, she found that she had exactly twice the amount of the check she had cashed. She didn't have any money in her wallet before going to the bank. What was the exact amount of that check?
Think about the mistake the teller made: if they gave dollars for cents and cents for dollars, that means they swapped the decimal point...
The amount must have been $31.63. She received $63.31. After she dropped a nickel there would remain the sum of $63.26, which is twice the amount of the check.
Tuesday, Bill and Jim went to a restaurant they ordered and ate their food and stuff like that. Then they paid the bill, but neither Bill nor Jim paid the bill. Who did?
Think about the names...
Tuesday did because in english to say a day you say "on" before the day!!!
Double my number, I'm less than a score, half of my number is less than four. Add one to my double when bakers are near, days of the week are still greater, I fear.
What am I?
Think about a number that is closely related to baking, and consider the days of the week in your answer.
I am dead but alive, I eat but am never satisfied, I consume knowledge but gain none. What am I?
Think about something that is often associated with death, but still has a sense of existence or presence. It's something that "eats" or consumes things, but never feels full or content. And although it takes in knowledge, it doesn't truly understand or learn from it...
I can be old or new, big or small, thick or thin. I contain information about all that is present in the entire world. I contain links to countless minds, worlds, adventures, universes, mysteries, and even mystical things. I am a place where things are out of the world and where imaginations are realities. People fill me with their thoughts, opinions, and life stories. Most children tend to think I'm boring, but there are only a few truly talented, out-of-this-world, beautiful minds who wait for me enthusiastically and when done with me, wait for my descendants. What am I?
"Think about a place where knowledge and imagination come together, and where the boundaries of reality are stretched. It's a treasure trove of information, where the thoughts and stories of many minds are collected."
Books! Come on, who doesn't love to curl up with a good book beside the fireplace?!
I can be small as a mouse or as big as a whale, But no matter how big, I'm no burden to scales. You can fight me for practice, but you'll never win. I follow bright people, but I'm always dim. If you're needing a partner, I'm as keen to dance. But I know no move that doesn't copy your stance. What am I?
Think about something that can be found in various sizes, is often associated with competition or practice, and has a tendency to mimic or follow others...
I'm tall and thin and balanced on a ball. I am i upside down. People use me when I get excited. Mathematicians use me even when they aren't. What Am I?
Think about a symbol that is often written in a way that makes it look like it's balanced on a ball, and when you turn it upside down, it remains the same...
I am a word of three syllables, each of which is a word; my first is an article in common use; my second, an animal of uncommon intelligence; my third, though not an animal, is used in carrying burdens. My whole is a useful art. What am I?
Think about a type of skill or craft that involves carrying or holding things, and pay close attention to the words that make up the description - they might be more literal than you think!
I hang around all day and night keeping you safe. I might have only one arm, but it is very strong. Nevertheless, I can defend you and everything you care about without moving a muscle. What am I?
Think about something you might find on a wall or a door, that provides protection and security...
What a poor man has, a rich man wants and if you eat it you die?
Think about something that is often associated with the concept of "nothingness" or "emptiness", yet is paradoxically coveted by those who have plenty...
There is a word. It has five letters. Its last three letters refer to a skill of creating objects. Its middle three letters refer to one of the parts found at either side of your head. Its first two letters signify a male. The first four letters of it is the ability to use its middle three letters to detect sound. Its whole is found in you. What word is it ?
"Listen carefully to the answer, it's in your ear..."
What creature has one voice, but has four feet in the morning, two feet in the afternoon, and three feet in the evening?
Think about the different stages of a person's life...
Man crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two as an adult, and needs a walking cane when old. The Sphinx posed this riddle to Oedipus who solved the riddle correctly.
Their trunks are all packed and they wave their salutes. Will they hurry away on the wing? Don’t worry, my dear; you’ll not lose them. Don't fear! They never do leave till the spring. What are they?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a park, and how they change with the seasons...
I give you a group of three. One is sitting down, and will never get up. The second eats as much as is given to him, yet is always hungry. The third goes away and never returns. What are the three things?
Think about common, everyday objects that you might find in a kitchen or at a table...
A certain number has three digits. The sum of the three digits equals 36 times this number. Seven times the left digit plus 9 is equal to 5 times the sum of the two other digits. 8 times the second digit minus 9 is equal to the sum of the first and third.
What is the number?
I can sneak up on you or be right in front of you without you knowing. But when I reveal myself you will never be the same. Who am I?
Think about something that can be present in your life, yet remain unnoticed until it's too late, and its revelation can have a profound, lasting impact...
Five hundred begins it, five hundred ends it, Five in the middle is seen; First of all figures, the first of all letters, Take up their stations between. Join all together, and then you will bring Before you the name of an eminent king. Who am I?
Mr. Brown was killed on Sunday after noon. The wife said she was reading a book. The butler said He was taking a shower. The chef said he was making breakfast. The maid said she was folding clothes, and the gardener said he was planting tomatoes. Who did it?
Pay close attention to the times of day each person claims to have been doing their activity...
The chef killed Mr. Brown because he said he was cooking breakfast but it was a Sunday afternoon.