Brad stared through the dirty soot-smeared window on the 22nd floor of the office tower. Overcome with depression he slid the window open and jumped through it. It was a sheer drop outside the building to the ground. Miraculously after he landed he was completely unhurt. Since there was nothing to cushion his fall or slow his descent, how could he have survived the fall?
Think about the time of year and the condition of the window...
Brad was so sick and tired of window washing, he opened the window and jumped inside.
We are little Verbal creatures. Each of us with different features. The first of us in glass is set. The second you can find in jet. The third is trapped in tin. The fourth is boxed within. Now the fifth may try and hide, but it can never leave your side. An adopted sibling we also have but, he only appears when pigs fly. What are we?
Pay attention to the words and think about the sounds they make...
A man and his wife were slowly driving along when their teenage son, who had just recently received his driver's license, suddenly drove his car up behind them and started to repeatedly smash into the back of their car, while his sister, who was in the car with him, loudly cheered and egged on her brother. Witnesses to the event appeared unaffected by the incident, and in fact some were even observed smiling. The police were never called. What was going on with this family, and why did no one call the police?
Think about a common family outing where people often gather to watch and enjoy...
The man and his wife had taken their two children to an amusement park. The parents were in one bumper car, and their two children were in another bumper car.
Clayton grew up in a very large, very poor family. With a dozen children(six boys and six girls) to care for, his parents had a hard time providing food and clothing for everyone. Also, as hot water had to first be boiled on the stove to mix with cold water for baths, Clayton and his siblings were lucky to be able to take a bath even one time a month. As he grew older, Clayton was able to obtain a good-paying job, and could afford to move into better housing where he had enough food and clean clothing for himself; but his habit of rarely taking a bath stuck with him. In fact, Clayton now only takes a bath once every two years or so, but no one at his office job(where he has to wear a suit and tie) has ever complained of his having any body odor, or made any negative references concerning his personal hygiene. They say old habits die hard, but this one grew by leaps and bounds!! Refusing to take even a sponge bath, how does Clayton manage to keep his job without offending any of his co-workers?
Here's a hint: Think about Clayton's job and the specific requirements of his profession. It's not about his personal habits, but about the nature of his work.
Two houses are on fire. The first one belongs to Mr. Richards–a wealthy, elderly man. And the second one belongs to Mr. Lawrence–an art dealer who just started his business. Which house fire should the police officers extinguish first?
Think about the value of what's inside the houses, but not just in terms of money...
The police officers shouldn't extinguish either house fire because it's not part of their job! Police officers don't fight fires; that's what firefighters do!
Your spaceship lands on a foreign planet. A stranger in his workout clothes greets you to the entrance of the base. You go inside the base and wait for it to depressurize before removing your space suit. But before you get a chance to remove it, you get a message that someone at the base is an impostor. Who could it be–a man who covers his face because he has a sunburn, a woman with flaky patches all over her skin, or the stranger you saw earlier?
Hint: Think about the environment you're in and how it might affect the people you're considering...
The stranger you saw earlier is an impostor because a human who is not wearing a spacesuit cannot survive outside of the base in the foreign planet's atmosphere, but this stranger somehow survived without his spacesuit.
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.
In the home where Mabel resides, she has a reputation for walking very slowly, even though she is only 40 years old. Her slowness doesn't appear to be related to arthritis or to other medical ailments, but is more likely due to heredity, as her parents both had the same condition. Mabel does not use a walker or a cane to move about, and a wheelchair would be out of the question. Mabel is an extreme introvert who basically stays in her home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although it sounds a bit strange, you could say, even when Mabel leaves her home --- she stays at home. Although she frequently leaves the front door to her home open, she is easily frightened, causing her to immediately shut that front door when she feels threatened in any way. Mabel's caretakers frequently laugh at her and sometimes point their fingers at her as she struggles to move along. The caretakers allow Mabel only small rations of food and water each day, and they never give her a shower. Where are the abuse investigators? Where is the justice? Or are things not as bad as they appear to be for Mabel?
Think about a "home" that's not a traditional house or building, and consider what kind of "caretakers" might be responsible for Mabel's well-being.
Mabel is a Box Turtle who is the house pet of a family with several children. She is well cared for, but instinctively closes the front door of her shell and pulls her legs in if she senses danger, which includes inquisitive children.
Yvonne and Diane are two friends going out on a camping trip. Here are some of the things they plan to take with them: chair, lamp, rice, game, tent. Can you guess which item the girls should leave at home?
Think about what you typically associate with a camping trip, and what might not be necessary (or even possible) to bring along...
Yvonne and Diane should leave the chair at home. "Lamp", "Rice", "Game", and "Tent" all have four letters, while "Chair" has five letters.
A wife called to her husband from the front door of their home stating, "Don't forget to raise the flag, but please don't be goofy and salute it afterward." Her husband responded by saying, "Don't you love your country?" The wife replied, "I am very patriotic, but I would never salute that flag. You embarrass yourself when you do it, especially when the neighbors see you." "Well, all I know is if I don't raise the flag, we'll lose our electricity, our car will be towed away, and eventually we will be evicted! Being a veteran of the Army, as long as the flag is red, white, and blue, I will always salute it!" "Oh, have it your own way, answered his wife, "but it's not the raising of the flag to which I object, it's you're saluting it afterward that bothers me!" What were the circumstances behind this couple's bizarre-sounding argument?
Think about a specific situation where a flag needs to be raised, and it's not necessarily related to patriotism or national pride...
The flag on the couple’s mailbox in front of their home was painted red, white, and blue to resemble the American flag. When the husband put their outgoing bills and other mail in the mailbox, he had to raise the flag to be sure their outgoing mail would be picked up by their mail delivery person. Being a veteran and a patriotic person, he felt compelled to salute the flag each time he raised it.
Terry is a gambling man. Just the other day at a meeting of his bridge club, he challenged each of the seven members to the following: "I bet each of you, seven men, a pack of Blackjack chewing gum, that none of you can walk straight through that 6-foot 5-inch doorframe --- without stopping or jumping --- and touch the top of it with your head as you pass through it; but I bet I can. Since the tallest member of the club was six feet tall and he knew he couldn't do it, even on his tiptoes, each man decided to take Terry's bet. Terry won seven packs of Blackjack gum that day. Since he didn’t use an instant growth potion, how did he manage to win his unusual bet?
Think about the doorframe's orientation...
After the other members tried his challenge and failed, Terry simply strapped two one-foot tall stilts (empty metal cans he had brought with him) to his feet and walked through the doorway, touching his head on the frame as he passed through it.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - We are always present in multiple-choice exams. #2 - Sherlock Homes kept a close eye on us after he retired. #3 - Honor students are not very fond of us. #4 - One of us was a famous aunt on T.V. #5 - The person who played the owner of the Shady Rest Hotel was, in reality, one of us. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Pay attention to the words and phrases used in the clues, especially the ones that seem out of place or unusual. The answer is not a person, but rather something you might find in a specific context. Think about what's common in multiple-choice exams, and how that relates to the other clues.
We are Bs, Bees, or Beas (as in Aunt Bea and actress Bea Benaderet.)
Three families from the hills of eastern Kentucky decided to pull up stakes, form a wagon train, and head for the state of Nevada to seek their fortunes in the gold and silver mines located there. Each family took the bare essentials with them, and packed only their most precious belongings into the three wagons they were using for the journey. On their 2,000 mile trip to Nevada, the wagon train encountered no hostile Indian attacks from the Apaches or the Comanches, and they had no difficulty crossing any of the many rivers they came to, even though the spring flooding season was upon them. One might expect a journey of this magnitude, moving three families with all of their possessions packed into three wagons on a 2,000 trip, to take at least two or three months, but miraculously, the wagon train arrived in Nevada after only four days. How is this possible?
Think about the words "pack" and "train" in a different way...
This trip for the three families took place in the 1960s. The wagon train consisted of three station wagons.
In the realm of intellect and wit, where riddles intertwine, a labyrinthine puzzle tests the sharpest mind. Within this riddle's depths, a story of knights and kings and a treasure untold shall unfold. Imagine a mighty chessboard, with sixty-four squares so grand, where black and white alternate, a captivating land. Upon this board, two knights are placed, noble in their might. Their mission: to find the treasure hidden out of sight. But here's the twist, the tricky part, the puzzle's cunning scheme: the knights must journey together, a duo they must seem. One knight moves north, then two steps to the right, while the other takes a diagonal leap, a path both swift and light. They continue their pursuit, weaving through the chessboard's squares, till they've visited each and every one, proving their thorough care. Now comes the question, the riddle's hidden key: how many times did their paths cross, tell me if you see. Remember, their moves are synchronized, each step taken as a pair. Calculate their crossings, and unravel the secret with care.
Think about the symmetry of the chessboard and the synchronized movements of the two knights. Focus on how their paths will mirror each other as they traverse the board.
To find the number of times the paths of the two knights cross, we need to analyze their movements on the chessboard. Let's assign coordinates to the squares of the chessboard. We can label the columns as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H (from left to right), and the rows as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (from bottom to top). Now, let's examine the movements of the knights. The first knight moves one square north and two squares to the right, which can be represented as (2, 1) on the coordinate plane. The second knight takes a diagonal leap, moving one square northeast, which can be represented as (1, 1). We'll start by assuming the initial position of both knights is (0, 0). Now, let's track their movements: The first knight moves to (2, 1). The second knight moves to (1, 1). The first knight moves to (3, 2). The second knight moves to (2, 3). The first knight moves to (4, 4). By analyzing their movements, we can see that the knights' paths intersected once at the coordinate (2, 3). Therefore, the answer is that the paths of the knights cross once.
A man decided to go for a walk. He made numerous stops during his stroll, hoping to hear some good news each time he stopped. Despite his usual excellent sense of direction, he realized he had been walking in circles. He was certain of this, as he noticed his favorite number 8 kept reappearing before his eyes. After continuing his walk for a long time, he finally received the good news he had been hoping for; and he then returned home, a little poorer than when he had started, but glad to be leaving with the sweet love of his life. What was going on in this bizarre-sounding narrative, and who/what was the sweet love of his life which was mentioned?
Think about a common activity people do for leisure, where they often stop at numbered stations, and the outcome can bring joy and sometimes cost money.
The man gave a monetary donation to participate in a cake walk. Eventually, his number was called for the space he was standing on, and he went home with the dessert he truly loved ———— a beautiful cake!
There are 2 cops parked along a one-way street looking for traffic violations. They spot a taxi driver going in the wrong direction, yet they do nothing.
Why?
Think about the situation from a different perspective... Are the cops really "looking" at the taxi driver?
The taxi driver wasn't driving at the time, he was walking.
Many years ago a boy and a girl are planning to run off and get married. But the boy got cold feet and needed to tell the girl. He wanted to send a telegram, but only had enough money for one word. What one word did he send?
Think about a word that is often associated with weddings, but also has a very different meaning when used in a different context...
You walk into your house you see three doors you've never seen before. One vampire bats that will suck your blood. Two zombies that will eat your brain. Three a lion that hasn't eaten for over six months. Which one do you go through?
Think about the lion's situation...
Three a lion that hasn't eaten for over 6 months because he would be dead.
There are two rooms in front of you. On the door to each room, there is a sign; only one of the signs tells the truth. The sign on the door to the first room says, "There is treasure here. A monster lurks in the other room,". And the sign on the door to the second room says, "The treasure and the monster are in different rooms,". Where is the treasure?
Think about what would happen if the sign on the first room was telling the truth... would the sign on the second room still make sense?
The treasure is in the second room. If the first sign is true, then the second sign is true, too. This contradicts the terms of the game. Therefore, the first sign is false, and the second sign is truthful.
Lauren and Alice are talking long distance on the phone. Lauren is in an East-Coast US state which borders the Atlantic Ocean, and Alice is in a West-Coast state which borders the Pacific Ocean. Lauren asks Alice: "What time is it?" Alice replies and Lauren says: "That's really odd. It's the same time here!" How can this be?
Think about the International Date Line and its effect on time zones...
Alice is in Eastern Oregon (in Mountain time) and Lauren is in Western Florida (in Central time). It is the night that daylight-savings time changes back to standard time any time after 1:00 and before 2:00 AM.
You want to send a valuable object to a friend. You have a box which is more than large enough to contain the object. You have several locks with keys. The box has a locking ring which is more than large enough to have a lock attached. But your friend does not have the key to any lock that you have. How do you do it? Note that you cannot send a key in an unlocked box, since it might be copied.
Think about sending the box to your friend in multiple stages, with each stage adding a layer of security...
Attach a lock to the ring. Send it to her. She attaches her own lock and sends it back. You remove your lock and send it back to her. She removes her lock.
A man enters an expensive restaurant and orders a meal. When the waiter brings him his meal the man takes out a slip of paper and writes down 102004180, then leaves. The cashier hands the slip of paper to the cashier who understood it immediately.
What did the slip of paper say?
Think about the format of a common restaurant bill...
I =1, 0=Ought, 2=To, 0=Owe, 0=Nothing, 4=For, 1=I, 8=Ate, 0=Nothing. I Ought To Owe Nothing For I Ate Nothing. 102004180
Which number would be bigger: the product of all of the numbers on your calculator, or the SUM of those numbers?
Think about the number 0...
The sum would be bigger because multiplying any number by zero always results in zero. Yes, you have to include zero; it is also a number on your calculator.
Eight years ago, Bill was eight times the age of his son Bill Jr. Today, if you add their ages together, they add up to 52. How old are Bill and his son?
Think about the relationship between Bill's age and his son's age 8 years ago, and how that relationship has changed over time...
Janie's friends were chipping in to buy her a wedding shower present. At first, 10 friends chipped in, but 2 of them dropped out. Each of the 8 had to chip in another dollar to bring the amount back up. How much money did they plan to collect?
Think about it this way: If 8 people had to chip in an extra dollar each to reach the original amount, how much would 10 people have had to chip in if they hadn't dropped out?
A group of campers have been on vacation so long, that they've forgotten the day of the week. The following conversation ensues.
Darryl: What's the day? I don't think it is Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Tracy: Well that doesn't narrow it down much. Yesterday was Sunday.
Melissa: Yesterday wasn't Sunday, tomorrow is Sunday.
Ben: The day after tomorrow is Saturday.
Adrienne: The day before yesterday was Thursday.
Susie: Tomorrow is Saturday.
David: I know that the day after tomorrow is not Friday.
If only one person's statement is true, what day of the week is it?
"Pay attention to the contradictions, and find the one statement that doesn't contradict any of the others."
It is Wednesday. If it was any other day of the week, more than one statement would be true. To solve the riddle, evaluate each person's statement and write down what day it could be according to the statement. David's statement indicates it could be any day of the week except for Wednesday. When you list the days that it could be according to everyone's statement, it turns out Wednesday is the day mentioned only one time. Darryl: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Tracy: Monday Melissa: Saturday Ben: Thursday Adrienne: Saturday Susie: Friday David: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday
You don't always see me, but I am always there. Not always where you are, but always somewhere. You cannot see through the opposite of me, but I will always be a help for you to see. I'm at the end of where cars go through. Flip a switch and I'm there for you. What am I?
"Think about the road, and the tools that help you navigate through it..."
Light. Explanation: Somewhere in the world, there is always daylight. You can't see through darkness, which is the opposite of light. It is easier to see through light. There is always light at the end of a tunnel. Flip a light switch and light is there. I hope you enjoyed this riddle!
I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat, and your heart grow cold, I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. What am I?
Think about a situation where you're most vulnerable, and a certain presence can either harm or protect you...
White we are, strong we are; but can be easily shaken and weakened, easily stained and dirtied; None was found at first, then one appeared; afterward, more are seen and thirty-two appear at last, we all stand waiting for our prey. The food you eat is our prey and we all are in you. What are we?
Think about something that starts out pure and strong, but can be affected by external factors. It's related to the human body, and there's a specific number of them that you might find in a healthy adult...
I can't see yet I know you are there. I'm not a cow but I'm leather. I'm a rare find but follow paths. I can fly but I'm not a bird. What am I?
Think about something that's often hidden from view, but its presence is still felt, and it's made from a material that's commonly associated with cows...
I possess a halo of water, walls of stone, and a tongue of wood. Long I have stood; what am I?
Think about a structure that's often found near a body of water, has a stone foundation, and features a wooden component that "speaks" or provides information...
Sometimes I am loud and viewed with distaste. Poke out my eye, then I'm on the front of your face. What am I?
Think about something that can be annoying or unpleasant when it's loud, but becomes a common and familiar sight when a certain part of it is "poked out"...
A noise, remove the "eye" aka "i" and you get a nose.
My first is a creature whose breeding is unclear. My second, a price you must pay. My whole can be found in the river of Time and refers to events of today. What am I?
Think about the concept of "history" and how it relates to the river of Time...
Marble walls as white as milk, lined with skin as soft as silk, in a fountain crystal clear, a golden apple will appear, there is no key to this stronghold, yet theives break in and steal the gold. What is it?
Think about a delicate and precious object that is often associated with beauty and value, and is commonly found in a specific part of the human body.
What does man love more than life Fear more than death or mortal strife What the poor have, the rich require, and what contented men desire, What the miser spends and the spendthrift saves And all men carry to their graves?
Think about something that is universally desired, yet often taken for granted, and is present in everyone's life, regardless of their social status or wealth...
An old billionaire offers a million-dollar prize to whoever can guess what he is thinking of. Plenty of people tried but they old got it wrong, until one young boy came up. Soon after, the boy walked away a millionaire. What did he guess?
The hint is: Think about the situation, not the object.
The boy said, "You are thinking of something you thought I wouldn't guess". The boy was right by technicality.
Three Brothers share a family sport, a nonstop marathon. The oldest one is fat and short And trudges slowly on. The middle brother's tall and slim, and keeps a steady pace The youngest runs just like the wind, going swiftly through the race "He's young in years, we let him run," the other brothers say. "Though he is surely number one, he's also second in a way. What are we?
Think about a type of "race" that involves movement, but not necessarily physical running...
What do the rich need, and the poor have, and if you eat it you die?
Think about something that is often associated with wealth and status, but is also something that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, possesses. And be careful what you consume...
For some in the world, it is as precious as gold. Yet, this thing, is never sold. It is kept, but never used. It's a weakness that cannot be removed. A weapon that can be used against god. If they have it, you know it, then they have lost. What is it?
Black and Blue. Red and Green. Yellow and Blue. Green and Grey. I am all colours. You can try to get close to me, but you can't escape my vision. If you get greedy, you will try to take your colours for yourself, but before you know it, I will be eating you for lunch. What am I?
Think about something that can be associated with many colors, and has the ability to "see" or observe everything around it. It's something that you might try to take advantage of, but it can ultimately consume you if you're not careful. The answer is not a living thing, but it's often found in a place where people gather.
A cloud was my mother, the wind is my father, my son is the cool stream, and my daughter is the fruit of the land. A rainbow is my bed, the earth my final resting place, and I'm the torment of man. Who Am I?
Think about a natural phenomenon that is born from the sky, nourishes the earth, and can be both life-giving and destructive to humans.