There was a poor man sitting in a restaurant and a rich man came in. The poor man said that he could sing any song in the world if he was given a name. The rich man bet all the money in his wallet that he couldn't sing a song with Susan in it. The poor man went away rich and the rich man went away poor. What song did the poor man sing?
Think about a song that has the name "Susan" in it, but isn't necessarily about a person named Susan...
Marge and Terry are both looking intently at a 4-inch X 4-inch musical symbol, but neither of them is thinking about music. Marge initiates their activity by placing a letter of the alphabet into the upper left quadrant of the symbol. Terry counters by putting a different letter of the alphabet into the lower-right section of the figure. Marge retaliates by inscribing the same letter she used the first time, into the lower-left section of the musical emblem. Terry responds by placing the same letter he just used, into the middle-left area of the image. Marge begins to smile brightly and places the same letter she has been using into the upper-right quadrant of the figure. Terry then grimaces and writes the exact same letter he has been using, placing it in the center of the symbol. Marge then gives a gleeful laugh and puts her same letter into the top-middle of the emblem. She then draws a line and shouts out three words to Terry, which make him feel a bit sad and disappointed. What are the three words Marge shouts at Terry, and exactly what has been going on here?
Think about a common game that involves placing letters in a grid, and the three words Marge shouts at Terry might be a familiar phrase often heard at the end of such a game.
Marge and Terry have been playing the game of “Tic-Tac-Toe”, and these are the three words she shouts at him after beating him. The musical symbol called a Sharp, looks just like a Tic-Tac-Toe grid.
Sheila baked a batch of delicious peanut butter cookies for dessert later in the day. She couldn't eat them while near her husband, though; he was severely allergic to all types of nuts. Plus, the couple's three kids–David, Amanda, and Frank–were all grounded and not allowed to eat sweets for a week. When Sheila went to get the cookies later in the day, she noticed that all of them were gone. She knew it must have been one of her kids who ate the cookies, so she interrogated them. David said that he was helping Dad to bake an apple pie in the kitchen. Amanda said that earlier in the day, she and Dad were eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. She didn't have time for cookies. Frank said that he was doing his homework upstairs. Sheila instantly knew who was lying, and grounded that child for another week. Who was the cookie thief?
Pay close attention to Amanda's alibi...
Amanda stole the cookies. She couldn't be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Dad earlier in the day; after all, Sheila's husband is severely allergic to all types of nuts.
For his vegetable stew recipe, Adrian needs three tomatoes and three large carrots. He also needs less radishes than tomatoes, but more radishes than cucumbers. Assuming that Adrian only uses whole numbers of vegetables, how many of each other vegetable does he need?
Think about the relationships between the numbers of vegetables: Adrian needs fewer radishes than tomatoes, but more radishes than cucumbers. What's the smallest number that fits this description?
Professor Hunter, a former world traveler and recently retired community college teacher, is now able to pursue his favorite hobby in the comfort of his own home. Several diplomas, certificates, and a license to practice his hobby adorn his study where he continues to engage in his favorite pastime, which also happens to be the subject he taught part-time at the community college. He told me of a nightmare he had last week after he fell asleep in his study. The professor said he dreamed he was on a hunting expedition in an African jungle, far from any civilization. In his nightmare, he found himself alone, without any weapons, and was suddenly surrounded by a lion, a hippopotamus, a leopard, a cheetah, and a ferocious cape buffalo. They were just closing in for the kill when he suddenly awoke from his dream. But was it a dream? Professor Hunter said he nearly had a heart attack when he looked around the room, and realized the dream was real after all! What was the professor's hobby, and why was he so frightened when he awoke from his dream?
Think about the decorations in Professor Hunter's study and how they might relate to his hobby...
Professor Hunter was a world traveler as well as a big game hunter. He studied the art of taxidermy, got his license, and taught this favorite hobby of his at the community college for many years. He decorated his study with the heads of several big game animals he had bagged while hunting in Africa. He gave himself a genuine scare when he awakened from his dream to see the heads of the very animals of which he had just dreamt.
We first appeared outside in the early 1940s during World War II. Our construction was a simple mixture of glass and aluminum, with a flexible entrance that kept out unwanted intrusions. We were not migratory and never slept -- even at nighttime. The famous movie director, Alfred Hitchcock, once used one of us in his movie "The Birds" back in 1963, which resulted in some shattered glass. A famous "lady" once described us as being, "like a lighthouse on the highway", as we were easily seen at nighttime. In the year 2000, there were more than two million of us in existence, but as of 2020, our numbers have quickly declined, and there are now fewer than 100,000 of us remaining in the United States. We were greatly honored in 2015 when someone nominated us for inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places in the state of Arkansas. Who/what are we?
Here's a hint: Think about a common roadside structure that was once ubiquitous, but has since become a relic of the past.
If someone were to write a biography about us, the following could be reported: #1 - Every basketball player needs a good one. #2 - we can be seen on most Christmas trees. #3 - One of us is a famous Captain. #4 - We are often delivered in square rings. #5 - We often accompany a line and a sinker. Based on the biographical information above --- Who/what are we?
Think about things that are often associated with certain activities or objects, and have multiple meanings or uses...
I believe my brother Sam may secretly be an actual mad scientist! In his home, he keeps several odd animals confined behind heavy, glass walls -- walls designed to never allow these creatures to escape! The most grotesque thing about these beasts is the fact that they have no stomachs -- that's right -- no stomachs!! And yet, he feels compelled to feed them every day-- so they will grow! Sam appears to have no fear of these beasts, but should they ever find a way to gain their freedom from their glass prison, things would get very, very messy! Is Sam in danger from these creatures? Should the authorities be contacted to stop Sam from feeding these stomach-less creatures and helping them to outgrow their restraining enclosure? Just what exactly are these beasts without stomachs, and could they be a danger to society?
Think about a common, everyday activity that people do to help things "grow"... and consider what type of "creatures" might be involved in that process.
My brother Sam has an aquarium in his home where he keeps several Koi fish. Koi fish have no stomachs, and are known to grow quite large.
They can trickle down, They can tickle too. Or make you sneeze, Or comfort you. Their rustling sound, you've rarely heard, Unless you're a pillow or a bird! What are they?
Think about something that is often found near pillows and birds, and is capable of producing a soft, rustling sound...
Dynamite is a tool that can be used to cut down trees. Cutting a tree 18 inches in diameter requires five sticks of dynamite: one on the north, south, east and west sides of the tree, and the fifth stick on the side to which the tree should fall. During the construction of a dam, a tree 18 inches in diameter was completely covered by water. Since the treetop was fouling the boat's propellers, it had to be cut down. A diver went down and put a stick of dynamite on the four sides of the tree. Since the current is flowing south at 2 knots per hour, on which side of the tree would you instruct the diver to put the fifth stick of dynamite if you wanted the tree to fall north?
Think about the current's direction and how it will affect the tree's fall...
It doesn't matter where the fifth stick is placed, since the tree won't fall in any direction. Being wood, it will float and rise to the surface.
My first is often at the front door. My second is found in the cereal family. My third is what most people want. My whole is one of the United States. What am I?
Think about words that can be broken down into individual letters, and consider the meanings of each letter in a specific context...
MATRIMONY (mat rye money). Which is certainly a "united state"!
One day, down at the South Pole, five penguins and twice as many polar bears got onto a train. The train was headed to another station that was 15 minutes away from where it was initially. What is wrong with this story?
Think about the environment and inhabitants of the South Pole...
Polar bears live at the North Pole, while penguins live at the South Pole. They can't coexist at the same Pole.
Lauren has a lemon tree. The number of lemons on the tree doubles every week. In 28 weeks, Lauren should expect the tree to be completely covered with fruit. How many weeks will it take for the tree to be half-covered with apples?
Pay close attention to the type of fruit mentioned in the question...
Zero. If I asked you about lemons, the answer would be 27 weeks because the number of lemons on Lauren's tree doubles every week. However, I asked you about APPLES, and they don't grow on lemon trees; therefore, the answer is zero.
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.
There is a dead man in the middle of a field, nothing is around him and there are no footprints of any sort. There is an unopened package next to him. How did he die? HINT: As he approached the field he knew he was going to die.
Jordan is leaving from a small town in Wyoming and hiking through the wilderness to a post where he will spend the summer. The hike will take Jordan six days. One man can only carry enough food and water for four days. Jordan cannot take a mule or any other animal to haul his food and water, because there will be insufficient food and supplies for the animals at his destination.
How can Jordan make it to his destination?
Think about what Jordan can do on the way back...
Jordan takes two other hikers with him. Each hiker starts out with a four day supply of food and water. After the first day, the first hiker gives a one day supply to each Jordan and the second hiker. This leaves the first hiker with a one day supply to go home and Jordan and the second hiker now each have a four day supply again. After the second day, the second hiker gives Jordan a one day supply and keep a two day supply for himself so that he can get home. This gives Jordan a four day supply of food and water, and now he has enough to reach his destination.
A large truck is crossing a bridge 1 mile long. The bridge can only hold 14000 lbs, which is the exact weight of the truck. The truck makes it half way across the bridge and stops. A bird lands on the truck. Does the bridge collapse?
Think about the weight of the bird, but also think about the distribution of the truck's weight on the bridge...
No, it does not collapse. Because it has driven a half mile - you would subtract the gas used from the total weight of the truck.
Three working women have different careers. If only one of statements 1, 2 and 3 are true, can you tell whether or not Mary is a nurse? 1. This statement is only true if statement 5 is false. 2. This statement is true if statements 4 or 5, or both 4 and 5 are true. 3. This statement is false only if both statements 6 and 1 are true. 4. Mary is a nurse 5. Karen is an artist. 6. Sarah is a photographer.
Pay close attention to the relationships between the statements, especially statements 1, 2, and 3, as they will help you navigate the puzzle.
Mary is not a nurse. The way to solve this riddle is to consider statements 4, 5, and 6 and create a chart of all possible true and false answers. Next, fill in the chart according to statements 1 through 3. You will discover that there is only one line where only one of the statements one, two, and three are true. Thus, it is determined that: Statements 4 and 5 are false and statement 6 is true.
When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height. Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was. If the tree grew by five centimeters each year, how much higher would the nail be?
Think about what's really changing (or not changing) over time...
The nail would be at the same height since trees grow at their tops.
Can you divide the watch face with 2 straight lines so that the sums of the sums of the numbers in each part are equal?
Think about the symmetry of the watch face and the numbers that are diagonally opposite each other...
The sum of the numbers on the watch face is 78. If the two lines cross, there must be 4 equal parts, but 78 is not divisible by 4. Then the lines do not cross, giving three parts with the sum of 26 each. Once you see the pairs on the face that add to 13(12+1,11+2, and so far) the answer will be easy to find.
I drive people crazy, but I'm not for the lazy. Young teenagers crave me, at first, I’m amazing. I'll have your heart racing, I may make you take off the safety. I'll cause suicides and lullabies. From sunrise to compromise. To having to settle, some I'll test your mettle. Some will never know me, some will wish they never knew me. What am I?
Think about something that can be both exhilarating and devastating, often associated with intense emotions and life-changing experiences...
A famous chemist was murdered in his own lab. There was no evidence except for a piece of paper with the names of chemical substances on it. On the day he was murdered, the chemist had only 3 visitors: his wife, Mary, his nephew Nicolas, and his friend Johnathan. The police arrested the murderer right away. How did they know who it was?
Think about the names on the piece of paper... are they just random chemical substances, or could they be something more?
The piece of paper had a clue on it. If you combine the short names of the chemical substances on the paper, you’ll get a name: Ni-C-O-La-S.
I am never quite what I appear to be. Straight-forward I seem, but it's only skin deep, for mystery most often lies beneath my simple speech. Sharpen your wits, open your eyes, look beyond my exteriors, read me backward, forwards, upside down. Think critically and answer the question.
What am I?
"Look closely at the words, not just their meaning..."
I can bring you joy or sorrow, or everything in between. None have seen, smelt or felt me, yet many still know what I am. I have many types, but I am really just one thing. What am I?
Think about something that can evoke different emotions in people, and is often described or referred to, but can't be perceived through our five traditional senses...
The rich people want me, the poor people have me, if you eat me you die. What am I?
Think about something that's often associated with wealth and luxury, yet is also commonly found among those who are less fortunate. And be careful what you "consume" - it might just be deadly!
You bury me when I'm alive, and dig me up when I die. What am I?
Think about something that's often planted or buried in the ground when it's "alive" or growing, but is later unearthed or dug up when it's "dead" or no longer useful...
People make jokes about me running. I store items for you so they don't go bad. I light up when you open the door. What am I?
Think about a common household item that's often the butt of jokes about speed, has a specific purpose for preserving things, and has a distinctive feature that illuminates when you interact with it...
I can carry many though I have no body; I can often be weak but am hard to kill; I shine brighter than any light but you cannot see me; I sing the sweetest music but you cannot hear me; I can bring warmth to anyone no matter how cold it gets. What am I?
Think about something that can be felt, but not seen, and is often associated with emotions and sensations...
I am, in truth, a yellow fork From tables in the sky By inadvertent fingers dropped The awful cutlery. Of mansions never quite disclosed And never quite concealed The apparatus of the dark To ignorance revealed. What am I?
"Think about something that's often associated with the sky, and can be seen as a dark or ominous presence, but is also something that can be found on tables..."
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...
With pointed fangs it sits in wait, With piercing force it doles out fate, Over bloodless victims proclaiming its might, Eternally joining in a single bite. What is it?
A detective who was mere days away from cracking an international oil smuggling ring has suddenly gone missing. While inspecting his last-known location, officers find a note: 710 57735 34 5508 51 7718. Currently, there are 3 suspects: Bill, John, and Todd. Can you break the detective's code and find the criminal's name?
Hint: Look for a pattern in the numbers that corresponds to a common method of communication, and think about how the detective might have used this method to conceal the name of the suspect.
Bill is the suspect if you read upside down the numbers it says: "Bill is boss. He sells oil."
I am a seven-lettered word; my first three letters refer to a place a driver sits in a bus. My first five letters refer to a small room on a ship; my middle three letters are a container people put waste in. My last three letters refer to one that catches fish. My whole refer to a furniture with doors. What am I?
Think about different modes of transportation and how they relate to enclosed spaces...
Pregnant every time you see her, yet she never will give birth. What is it?
Think about a common, everyday situation where you might see a "her" that's always "pregnant" but never actually gives birth... It's not a living thing!
A masked man is being hunted by the authorities for his vigilante activities, in which he helps and protects innocent people. His modus operandi is to seek out injustices caused by corrupt and evil people, stop these people from completing their wicked plans, and to deliver his own personal letter to these villains --- something to remind them of his visit. Who is this masked man, and what is the personal letter he delivers?
Think of a classic literary character who is known for seeking justice and leaving a calling card at the scene of their interventions...
The masked man is Zorro, and the personal letter he delivers to the villains he thwarts ----- is the letter "Z".