The more you take, the more you leave behind. "What am I?"
Think about something you do every day, and the more you do it, the more of something else accumulates...
You take footsteps and leave footprints.
What 8 letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes a word. Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on doing that until you have one letter left. What is the word?
Think about a common, everyday activity that people do, and the word you're looking for might just "start" to make sense.
The word is "starting". Remove the middle "T" and you have "staring", Remove the "A" and you get "string", remove the "R" then you have "sting", remove the "T" and you get "sing". Remove the "G", and you get "sin", remove the "S" and you're left with "in", and finally, remove the "N" and you're left with "I".
What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?
Think about something you might find in your pocket or purse...
A Penny.
David's father has three sons: Snap, Crackle, and _____?
Think about the person telling the riddle...
David.
Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?
Think about the days of the week in relation to a specific event or occasion that happens every year...
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.
A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman, an attractive girl named Sarah. The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip that would last a week. Before he left, he gave Sarah seven apples. Why?
Think about the significance of the number of apples and how it might relate to the bus driver's occupation...
An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
What room do ghosts avoid?
Think about a type of room that's often associated with being "lively" or "bustling"...
The living room.
What belongs to you but is used more by others?
Think about something that is uniquely yours, yet others use it more frequently than you do...
Your name.
You live in a one story house made entirely of redwood. What color would the stairs be?
Think about the description of the house... Does it really need stairs?
What stairs? You live in a one-story house.
I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?
Think about something that can be found in a campfire or a fireplace...
Fire.
A boy was at a carnival and went to a booth where a man said to the boy, "If I write your exact weight on this piece of paper then you have to give me $50, but if I cannot, I will pay you $50." The boy looked around and saw no scale so he agrees, thinking no matter what the carny writes he'll just say he weighs more or less. In the end the boy ended up paying the man $50. How did the man win the bet?
Think about what the man could have written on the piece of paper that would make it impossible for the boy to dispute...
The man did exactly as he said he would and wrote "your exact weight" on the paper.
What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?
Think about units of time and how they relate to each other...
The letter M.
Mr. and Mrs. Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?
Think about who's being counted...
There are nine Mustards in the family. Since each daughter shares the same brother, there are six girls, one boy, and Mr. and Mrs. Mustard.
Where does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
Think about a specific type of calendar...
In the dictionary.
What has 88 keys, but can't even open a single door?
Think about something you might find in a music room or a studio...
A piano.
I make two people out of one. What am I?
Think about a common, everyday object that is often used to alter or enhance someone's appearance...
A mirror.
What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-one eyes, but cannot see? "What is it?"
Think about something you might find on a table, often used for entertainment or strategy...
A die (dice).
What is more useful when it is broken?
Think about something that's often whole, but becomes more valuable or useful when it's no longer in one piece...
An egg.
A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
Think about a profession that involves unusual activities...
The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
Why is Europe like a frying pan?
Think about the shape of Europe on a map and what you often find at the bottom of a frying pan...
Because it has Greece at the bottom.
Samuel was out for a walk when it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet. How could this happen?
Think about the assumption you're making about Samuel's hair...
This man is bald!
I am something people love or hate. I change people's appearances and thoughts. If a person takes care of them self I will go up even higher. To some people, I will fool them. To others, I am a mystery. Some people might want to try and hide me but I will show. No matter how hard people try I will Never go down. What am I?
Think about something that is closely tied to a person's identity, and is often associated with vanity, self-perception, and the passage of time...
Age.
Re-arrange the letters, O O U S W T D N E J R, to spell just one word. What is it?
"Think about a place where you might find a judge..."
'Just one word'.
I am white when I am dirty, and black when I am clean. What am I?
Think about something you use every day, something that gets dirty when it's used, but becomes clean when it's erased or wiped...
A blackboard.
What runs around the whole yard without moving?
Think about something that can be found in a typical backyard, and its presence can be felt throughout the entire yard, but it itself doesn't change its physical location...
A fence.
How do you spell COW in thirteen letters?
Think about a phrase that involves a cow, rather than the individual letters...
SEE O DOUBLE YOU.
You have me today, Tomorrow you'll have more; As your time passes, I'm not easy to store; I don't take up space, But I'm only in one place; I am what you saw, But not what you see. What am I?
Think about something that accumulates over time, but is intangible and can't be physically stored. It's related to your perception and experience, but it's not a physical object.
Memories.
Only one color, but not one size, Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies. Present in sun, but not in rain, Doing no harm, and feeling no pain. What is it?
Think about something that is often associated with warmth and light, but disappears when the weather changes...
It's a shadow!
Two fathers and two sons went fishing one day. They were there the whole day and only caught 3 fish. One father said, that is enough for all of us, we will have one each. How can this be possible?
Think about family relationships and generations...
There was the father, his son, and his son's son. This equals 2 fathers and 2 sons for a total of 3!
My life can be measured in hours, I serve by being devoured. Thin, I am quick. Fat, I am slow. Wind is my foe. What am I?
Think about something that is often associated with warmth, nourishment, and comfort, but can also be affected by the elements...
I am a candle.
I am as light as a feather, yet no man can hold me for long. What am I?
Think about something that is very light, almost weightless, but even the strongest person would struggle to grasp or retain it for more than a few moments...
Your Breath.
What can point in every direction but can't reach the destination by itself?
Think about something you might find on a map or a compass...
Your finger or a compass.
What can you catch but not throw?
Think about something that is often associated with being contagious...
A cold.
What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?
Think about something you might find in a office supply closet or a desk drawer...
Charcoal.
They have not flesh, nor feathers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet they have fingers and thumbs of their own. What are they?
Think about the objects you use every day, the ones that help you grasp and hold things...
Gloves.
Who is that with a neck and no head, two arms and no hands? What is it?
Think about something you might find in a bedroom, used for comfort and relaxation...
A shirt.
A bus driver was heading down a street in Colorado. He went right past a stop sign without stopping, he turned left where there was a "no left turn" sign, and he went the wrong way on a one-way street. Then he went on the left side of the road past a cop car. Still - he didn't break any traffic laws. Why not?
Think about the bus driver's occupation and the vehicle he's operating...
He was walking...not driving.
I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released, and yet I am used by almost everybody. What am I?
Think about something that's extracted from the earth, confined in a specific container, and utilized by people daily, often without even realizing it...
Pencil lead.
A man rode out of town on Sunday, he stayed a whole night at a hotel and rode back to town the next day on Sunday. How is this possible?
Think about the horse's name...
His Horse was called Sunday!
There are two monkeys on a tree and one jumps off. Why does the other monkey jump too?
Think about the reason being related to their natural instinct and behavior, rather than a logical decision-making process.
Monkey see monkey do.
If eleven plus two equals one, what does nine plus five equal?
Think about a clock...
11 o'clock plus 2 hours = 1 o'clock 9 o'clock plus 5 hours = 2 o'clock
How do you make the number 7 even without addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?
Think about the visual representation of the number 7...
Drop the "S" and "seven" becomes "even".
Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain on Earth?
Think about it from a different perspective...
Mount Everest.
The more you take away, the more I become. What am I?
Think about something that gets "bigger" or "more" when you remove or subtract from it, rather than adding to it...
A hole.
I have two hands, but I can not scratch myself. What am I?
Think about an object that has two parts that resemble hands, but are not capable of touching or interacting with each other...
A clock.
There are 10 people in an empty, square room. Each person has full sight of the entire room and everyone in it without turning his head or body or moving in any way (other than the eyes). Where can you place an apple so that all but one person can see it?
Think about the location where one person's gaze is already occupied...
Place the apple on one person's head.
How do you spell candy in 2 letters?
Think about how you might "say" the word "candy" rather than how you would write it...
C and y c(and)y.
Always in you, Sometimes on you; If I surround you, I can kill you. What am I?
Think about something that is always present within a living being, but can also be present on the outside of that being, and if it envelops that being completely, it can be fatal...
Water.
A pet shop owner had a parrot with a sign on its cage that said "Parrot repeats everything it hears". Davey bought the parrot and for two weeks he spoke to it and it didn't say a word. He returned the parrot but the shopkeeper said he never lied about the parrot. How can this be?
Think about the circumstances under which the parrot was in the pet shop...
The parrot was deaf.
Why did Tigger go to the bathroom?
Think about Tigger's most distinctive feature...
He wanted to find his friend, Pooh!
I can be cracked, I can be made. I can be told, I can be played. What am I?
Think about something that can be broken or opened, created or constructed, shared or revealed, and also performed or executed...
A Joke!
Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?
Think about something that is abundant in scarcity, yet essential for those who have abundance...
Nothing.
How can you write down eight eights so that they add up to one thousand?
Think about using basic arithmetic operations (+, -, x, /) and consider the possibilities of using parentheses to group the eights in creative ways.
888 + 88 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 1000.
I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?
Think about the first and last letters of words...
The letter E. End, timE, spacE, Every placE
What do you call two witches who live together?
Think about a common phrase used to describe people who share a living space, and add a pinch of magic to it...
Broommates!
What did the baseball glove say to the ball?
"Think about a common phrase people use when they're trying to be friendly or welcoming..."
Catch you later.
What 4-letter word can be written forward, backward or upside down, and can still be read from left to right?
Think about a word that is often associated with time...
NOON.
How can you take 2 from 5 and leave 4?
Think about words, not numbers...
F I V E Remove the 2 letters F and E from five and you have IV which is the Roman numeral for four.
What goes up but never comes down?
Think about something that changes over time, but once it's changed, it can't be reversed...
Your age.
What goes up when the rain comes down?
Think about something that is typically found on the ground, but when it rains, it somehow "rises" or "increases"...
An umbrella.
There are 30 cows in a field, and 28 chickens. How many didn't?
Think about the question being asked... it's not asking about the number of cows or chickens, but rather about something that "didn't" happen.
10. Listen closely: 30 cows and twenty-eight chickens. Say EIGHT and ATE. They sound the same. Therefore, it means 20 ATE chickens. 30-20=10, so 10 cows didn't eat any chickens.
When is a doctor most annoyed?
Think about a doctor's daily routine and the times when they might feel particularly frustrated...
When he is out of patients.
Which part of a road do Ghost's love to travel the most?
Think about a road feature that's often associated with the "other side"...
The Dead End.
How many seconds are there in one year?
Think about the number of seconds in a minute, hour, day, and month... and don't forget about leap years!
12. Every month has a 2nd.
You have three stoves: a gas stove, a wood stove, and a coal stove, but only one match. Which should you light first?
Think about what you need to light before you can light any of the stoves...
The match!
I have no feet, no hands, no wings, but I climb to the sky. What am I?
Think about something that can rise high into the air, but doesn't have a physical body to support its ascent...
Smoke.
What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa when she looked up in the sky?
"Think about a phrase often used to express surprise or excitement, and consider what Mrs. Claus might be looking at in the sky..."
Looks like rain dear.
You walk up to a mountain that has two paths. One leads to the other side of the mountain, and the other will get you lost forever. Two twins know the path that leads to the other side. You can ask them only one question. Except! One lies and one tells the truth, and you don't know which is which. So, What do you ask?
Think about what you can ask that will give you a consistent answer, regardless of who is the liar and who is the truth-teller...
You ask one twin, "Are you twins?". If he says "Yes", he is telling the truth. Therefore, you ask the other twin which way to go and go the opposite way because he is lying. If he says "No", he is the liar and you ask the other twin which way to go because he is telling the truth.
When is it bad luck to see a black cat?
Think about a specific circumstance or situation where a black cat's presence might be particularly inauspicious...
When you are a mouse.
What 7 letter word is spelled the same way backwards and forwards?
Think about a word that is often associated with a mirror...
Racecar.
If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven't got me. What am I?
Think about something that is often considered precious and valuable, yet when you give it away, it's lost forever...
A Secret.
How can you leave a room with two legs and return with six legs?
Think about a common object that people often carry with them when leaving a room...
Bring a chair back with you.
If you were running a race, and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now?
Think about the person you just passed...
You would be in the 2nd place. You thought first place, right? Well, you passed the guy in second place, not first.
Look in my face, I am somebody; Look in my back, I am nobody. What am I?
Think about an everyday object that has a "face" and a "back", and how its identity changes depending on which side you're looking at...
I am a mirror.
A man in a car saw a Golden Door, Silver Door and a Bronze Door. What door did he open first?
Think about what the man in the car needs to do before he can even consider opening any of the doors...
The car door.
I have a little house in which I live all alone. It has no doors or windows, and if I want to go out I must break through the wall. What am I?
Think about something you might find in an egg...
A chick in an egg.
It can't be seen, can't be felt, can't be heard, and can't be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, Ends life, and kills laughter. What is it?
Think about something that is abstract, yet omnipresent, and has a profound impact on everything in the universe...
The dark.
Why did Snap, Crackle and Pop get scared?
Think about the cereal box...
They heard there was a cereal killer on the loose.
How many sides does a circle have?
Think about the definition of a side...
Two. The inside and the outside.
I am full of holes but I can still hold water. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a backyard, and that's used to conserve a precious resource...
A sponge!
If two snakes marry, what will their towels say?
Think about a common phrase often found on towels, and how it might be adapted to reflect the slithery nature of the newlyweds...
Hiss and Hers.
I'm as small as an ant, as big as a whale. I'll approach like a breeze but can come like a gale. By some, I get hit, but all have shown fear. I'll dance to the music, though I can't hear. Of names, I have many, of names I have one. I'm as slow as a snail, but from me, you can't run. What am I?
Think about something that can be both gentle and powerful, and is often feared or respected by everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.
I am a shadow.
How many times can you subtract the number 5 from 25?
Think about the concept of "subtraction" more literally...
Once, because after you subtract 5 from 25 it becomes 20.
I am a word of six; my first three letters refer to an automobile; my last three letters refer to a household animal; my first four letters is a fish; my whole is found in your room. What am I?
Think about common household items that you might find in your room, and see if you can break down the word into its different parts to fit the clues. Pay special attention to the fact that the first four letters are a type of fish...
A carpet.
Who is never hungry during Christmas?
Think about a specific type of person who is already "full" during Christmas...
The turkey because he is always stuffed.
If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what kind of chicks would hatch?
Think about the biology of chickens... Roosters can't lay eggs at all!
Roosters don't lay eggs.
What 5 letter word typed in all capital letters can be read the same upside down?
Think about a word that is often seen on signs or labels, and its meaning is related to a direction or orientation...
SWIMS.
Why was the broom late?
Think about a common phrase associated with brooms, and how it might relate to being "late"...
It overswept.
Some months have 30 days while other months have 31 days. How many have 28 days?
Think about the minimum number of days a month can have...
Every month has a 28th so they all have 28 days.
Johnny's dad had told Johnny that if he could get an A+ on his final exam, he could get any ice cream flavor he wanted plus a pizza. When the day for the final exam came, the professor said, "There are three questions on this exam. You will have one hour to answer them all and no more. Anyone caught taking any longer or cheating will get an automatic F." When Johnny received the paper, he read the first question. As he read it, he realized the exam was no piece of cake so he worked as hard as he could. When he finally finished question one, he checked the clock. There was only 5 minutes left! At this rate, he wouldn't be able to finish in time. As Johnny looked around, he saw that there were hundreds of students and figured that he could get away with a few extra minutes, so he worked away past the hour mark. As Johnny went to turn in his paper, the professor stopped him. "Young man," the professor said sternly. "I saw you keep working long after the 1-hour mark. You were caught cheating and will get an F." Thinking quickly, Johnny replied, "Do you know who I am?" The professor stoically responded, "I neither know or care who you are. You need to learn respect and discipline." "Good." said Johnny and he ran away. When the day for the exam scores to be announced came, Johnny received an A+. How?
Think about the clever connection between Johnny's question to the professor and the surprising outcome...
When the professor confirmed Johnny's anonymity (the professor didn't know who he was), Johnny quickly slipped his exam paper into the pile of exams and ran off, so the professor wouldn't know which exam paper deserved an F. Congratulations on sticking through the whole riddle.
Why is Santa so good at Karate?
Hint: It's because of his "clauses"!
Because he has a black belt.
What are moving left to right, right now?
The words in this sentence.
Your eyes!
A man wanted to enter an exclusive club but did not know the password that was required. He waited by the door and listened. A club member knocked on the door and the doorman said, "twelve." The member replied, "six " and was let in. A second member came to the door and the doorman said, "six." The member replied, "three" and was let in. The man thought he had heard enough and walked up to the door. The doorman said ,"ten" and the man replied, "five." But he was not let in. What should have he said?
Think about the relationship between the numbers the doorman says and the numbers the members respond with...
Three. The doorman lets in those who answer with the number of letters in the word the doorman says.
When can you add two to eleven and get one as the correct answer?
Think about a clock...
When you add two hours to eleven o'clock, you get one o'clock.
There is a green house. Inside the green house, there is a white house Inside the white house there is a red house. Inside the red house, there are lots of babies. What is it?
Think about a common, everyday object that you might find in a kitchen...
It is a watermelon. Explanation: The skin of the watermelon is green (green house), the watermelon rind is white (white house), the watermelon flesh is red (red house), and the watermelon seeds located in the red flesh are the babies.
One day, the police found a man dead inside a hut. In his left hand, he's holding a gun. In his right hand, he has a recording. When the recording is played, the police hear the man talking about how horrible life is and how he wants it to end. The recording ends with a gunshot. The police are about to call it a suicide until you point out a very important clue. What is it?
Pay close attention to the position of the man's hands...
The recording played a gunshot inside it. If the man committed suicide, he wouldn't have been able to stop the recording after he pulled the trigger.
What time does a tennis player get up?
Think about the terminology used in tennis...
Ten-ish.
Romeo and Juliet are found dead on the floor in a bedroom. When they were discovered, there were pieces of glass and some water on the floor. The only furniture in the room is a shelf and a bed. The house is in a remote location, away from everything except for the nearby railroad track. What caused the death of Romeo and Juliet?
Think about the objects in the room, and how they might be related to the railroad track outside...
Romeo and Juliet are fish. The rumble of the train knocked the tank off the shelf, it broke and Romeo and Juliet did not survive.
You live in a one story house made entirely of redwood. What color would the stairs be?
Think about the description of the house... Does it really need stairs?
What stairs? You live in a one-story house.
A boy was at a carnival and went to a booth where a man said to the boy, "If I write your exact weight on this piece of paper then you have to give me $50, but if I cannot, I will pay you $50." The boy looked around and saw no scale so he agrees, thinking no matter what the carny writes he'll just say he weighs more or less. In the end the boy ended up paying the man $50. How did the man win the bet?
Think about what the man wrote on the piece of paper... it wasn't a number!
The man did exactly as he said he would and wrote "your exact weight" on the paper.
Mr. and Mrs. Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?
Think about the word "each" in the riddle...
There are nine Mustards in the family. Since each daughter shares the same brother, there are six girls, one boy, and Mr. and Mrs. Mustard.
What has six faces, but does not wear makeup, has twenty-one eyes, but cannot see? "What is it?"
Think about something you might find on a table or in a game room, and consider the multiple meanings of the word "face"...
A die (dice).
A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
Think about a profession that involves working with film...
The woman was a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband, developed it, and hung it up to dry.
How do you make the number 7 even without addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?
Think about the visual representation of the number 7...
Drop the "S" and "seven" becomes "even".
There are 10 people in an empty, square room. Each person has full sight of the entire room and everyone in it without turning his head or body or moving in any way (other than the eyes). Where can you place an apple so that all but one person can see it?
Think about the importance of the room being "square" and how that affects the lines of sight...
Place the apple on one person's head.
Always in you, Sometimes on you; If I surround you, I can kill you. What am I?
Think about something that is always present within you, but can also be present on your body, and if it encircles you, it can be deadly...
Water.
How can you take 2 from 5 and leave 4?
Think about Roman numerals...
F I V E Remove the 2 letters F and E from five and you have IV which is the Roman numeral for four.
I have a little house in which I live all alone. It has no doors or windows, and if I want to go out I must break through the wall. What am I?
Think about something you might find in an egg...
A chick in an egg.
I am a word of six; my first three letters refer to an automobile; my last three letters refer to a household animal; my first four letters is a fish; my whole is found in your room. What am I?
Pay attention to the words' prefixes and suffixes, and think about common objects found in a room...
A carpet.
Two girls have the same parents and were born at the same hour on the same day of the same month, but they are not twins. How can this be possible?
Think about the word "girls" in the plural sense...
They were not born in the same year.
A time when they are green, a time when they're brown, but both of these times, cause me to frown. But just in between, for a very short while, They're perfect and yellow and cause me to smile! What am I talking about here?
Think about something you might find in a fruit bowl, and how your feelings towards it change depending on its ripeness...
Bananas.
When can you add two to eleven and get one as the correct answer?
Think about a clock...
When you add two hours to eleven o'clock, you get one o'clock.
Sometimes I am born in silence, Other times, no. I am unseen, But I make my presence known. In time, I fade without a trace. I harm no one, but I am unpopular with all. What am I?
Think about something that can suddenly appear, but often goes unnoticed at first, and can be a nuisance to people, even though it doesn't cause harm...
A fart.
A pregnant lady named her children: Dominique, Regis, Michelle, Fawn, Sophie, and Lara. What will she name her next child? Jessica, Katie, Abby, or Tilly?
Think about the months of the year...
Tilly. She seems to follow the scale Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La, and then Ti.
Romeo and Juliet are found dead on the floor in a bedroom. When they were discovered, there were pieces of glass and some water on the floor. The only furniture in the room is a shelf and a bed. The house is in a remote location, away from everything except for the nearby railroad track. What caused the death of Romeo and Juliet?
Think about what could have fallen from the shelf...
Romeo and Juliet are fish. The rumble of the train knocked the tank off the shelf, it broke and Romeo and Juliet did not survive.
Three playing cards in a row. Can you name them with these clues? There is a two to the right of a king. A diamond will be found to the left of a spade. An ace is to the left of a heart. A heart is to the left of a spade. Now, identify all three cards.
Think about the order of suits in a deck of cards...
Ace of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Two of Spades.
I'm not clothes but I cover your body; The more I'm used, the thinner I grow. What am I?
Think about something that provides protection or coverage for your body, but isn't a piece of clothing... and its usage has a peculiar effect on its thickness!
Bar of soap.
A man was found dead next to a 13 story building. The police say it was a suicide, but you say it was a homicide (someone killed him). To prove this, you go to each floor on the building, open the window, and toss a penny out. You do this to each floor until you reach the 13th floor, open the window, and toss a penny out. How does this prove it wasn't a suicide?
Here's a hint: Think about what would happen to the pennies as they fall from each floor, and how that might relate to the body's location...
If the man committed suicide, he would've left the window open and you wouldn't have had to open it.
An old man wanted to leave all of his money to one of his three sons, but he didn't know which one he should give it to. He gave each of them a few coins and told them to buy something that would be able to fill their living room. The first man bought straw, but there was not enough to fill the room. The second bought some sticks, but they still did not fill the room. The third man bought two things that filled the room, so he obtained his father's fortune. What were the two things that the man bought?
Think about something that can expand or grow to fill a room, and consider the fact that the third son bought two things...
The wise son bought a candle and a box of matches. After lighting the candle, the light filled the entire room.
If there are four sheep, two dogs, and one herds-men, how many feet are there?
Think about the number of feet each type of creature has, and don't forget to count the herdsman's feet!
Two. Sheep have hooves; dogs have paws; only people have feet.
Five apples are in a basket. How do you divide them among five girls so that each girl gets an apple, but one apple remains in the basket?
Think about the question carefully... one of the "girls" might not be a person at all...
Give the fifth girl her apple in the basket.
When will water stop running downhill?
Think about a time when the rules of gravity no longer apply...
When it reaches the bottom.
What can you hold in your right hand, but not in your left?
Think about something that is specific to one side of your body...
Your left hand!
What can run, but never walks; has a mouth, but never talks; has a head, but never weeps; has a bed, but never sleeps?
Think about something you might find near a body of water, and consider the different parts of this thing and how they relate to the clues in the riddle.
A river.
I am strong enough to smash ships, but I fear the Sun. What am I?
Think about something that can be powerful and destructive, yet vulnerable to heat...
Ice.
Which of the following words don't belong in the group and why? CORSET, COSTER, SECTOR, ESCORT, COURTS
Hint: Think about the word "CORE" and how it relates to each of the given words.
Courts. All of the others are anagrams of each other.
There are 2 ducks in front of 2 other ducks. There are 2 ducks behind 2 other ducks. There are 2 ducks beside 2 other ducks. How many ducks are there?
Think about the different perspectives of a single duck...
Just four, in a square formation.
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?
Think about the shape of the newspaper and how it can be folded...
Tom's mother slid a newspaper under a door, each sibling standing on each side.
While on my way to St. Ives, I saw a man with 7 wives. Each wife had 7 sacks. Each sack had 7 cats. Each cat had 7 kittens. Kittens, cats, sacks, and wives. How many were going to St. Ives?
Think about the direction of travel...
Just one, me.
I always follow you around, everywhere you go at night. I look very bright to people, but I can make the sun dark. I can be in many different forms and shapes. What am I?
Think about something that is always with you at night, but its presence can also affect the daytime...
The moon!
You have 5 kids and you have to get them all into a car. Tommy and Timmy are twins but they fight so they can't sit together. Sarah and Sally fight too, so they can't sit together. Max fights with his sisters so he can only sit by his brothers. There are 5 seats side by side and you have to put them in order. How would you seat the kids, so that everyone is happy?
Think about creating a "buffer zone" between the feuding siblings...
Sarah, Tommy, Max, Timmy, and then Sally.
If 5 cats catch 5 mice in 5 minutes, how long will it take one cat to catch a mouse?
Think about the relationship between the number of cats and the time it takes to catch the mice...
Five minutes.
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 often associated with weather, and is known to bring both life-giving benefits and destructive forces to humanity.
Rain.
A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?
Pay close attention to the type of fruit mentioned in the question...
None. A pear tree does not bear plums.
There is a clothing store in Bartlesville. The owner has devised his own method of pricing items. A vest costs $20, socks cost $25, a tie costs $15 and a blouse costs $30. Using the method, how much would a pair of underwear cost?
Hint: Think about the number of letters in each item's name, rather than the item itself.
$45. The pricing method consists of charging $5 for each letter required to spell the item.
Can a man legally marry his widow's sister in the state of California?
Think about the wording of the question very carefully... Is the question asking about a situation that can actually happen?
NO since she is a 'widow', the guy's dead!
The rungs of a 10-foot ladder attached to a ship are 1 foot apart. If the water is rising at the rate of one foot an hour, how long will it take until the water covers the ladder?
Think about the ship, not just the ladder...
It will never cover the ladder because as the water rises, so will the floating ship.
If the day before yesterday is the 23rd, then what is the day after tomorrow?
Think about the relationship between "yesterday", "today", and "tomorrow"...
The 27th. The day before yesterday is the 23rd. Therefore, yesterday was the 24, today is the 25th, tomorrow would be the 26th and the day after tomorrow would be 27th.
What common English verb becomes its own past tense by rearranging its letters?
Think about a verb that involves movement or action, and its past tense form is often used to describe a completed action...
Eat and Ate.
One is to three as three is to five and five is to four and four is the magic number. What is the pattern?
Think about the number of letters in the written form of each number...
One has three letters in the word three has five letters in it five has four letters and four has four letters in it (if you try more numbers they will always come back to the number four: so four is the magic number)
If your uncle's sister is not your aunt, what relation is she to you?
Think about the words carefully... "Uncle's sister" means the sister of your uncle... Who is that?
Your mother.
Three lives have I. Gentle enough to soothe the skin, Light enough to caress the sky, Hard enough to crack rocks. What am I?
Think about something that can exist in different forms or states, and its properties change depending on those states...
Water. Explanation: Water can be in the form of a liquid, solid (ice), and/or a gas (water vapor) which is represented by "three lives". As a liquid, it is used to bathe, as a gas it creates clouds that float in the sky, and as a solid (ice), it can split rocks or create glaciers that scour the earth as they move downhill.
I am the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk, yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness. What am I?
Think about the letters that make up words, and how they can be used to convey different emotions and ideas...
The letter S.
Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?
Think about words that have different meanings or properties when spelled forwards and backwards...
The word Ton.
I can be long, or I can be short. I can be grown, and I can be bought. I can be painted, or left bare. I can be round, or square. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a garden or a park, and how it can vary in appearance and characteristics...
Your fingernails.
I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky. I can swim in the ocean and yet remain dry. What am I?
Think about the bird's anatomy and a feature that can be submerged in water without getting wet...
I am the birds shadow.
A man was just doing his job when his suit was torn. Why did he die three minutes later?
The man's job was a crucial one, and it involved a specific uniform...
He was an astronaut on a space walk, doing repairs.
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 statements that provide relationships between days, rather than absolute claims.
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
When may a man's coat pocket be empty, and yet have something in it?
Think about the word "pocket" in a more literal sense...
When it has a hole in it.
A little pool with two layers of wall around it. One white and soft and the other dark and hard, amidst a light brown grassy lawn with an outline of green grass. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a backyard or a park, and consider the different textures and colors mentioned in the riddle...
A Coconut.
What day would yesterday be if Thursday was four days before the day after tomorrow?
Think about the relationships between the days of the week, and how you can work backwards from a given point...
Friday.
Which word is the odd one out: Seventy, Brawl, Clover, Proper, Carrot, Swing, Change, Travel, Sacred, Stone?
Think about the second letter of each word...
Carrot. When the first and last letters are removed from the other words, they still spell another word.
What relation would your father's sister's sister-in-law be to you?
Think about the family connections: your father's sister is your aunt, and her sister-in-law is...?
This person would be your mother.
A horse is tied to a five-meter rope in front of an old saloon. Six meters behind the horse is a bale of hay. Without breaking his rope, the horse is able to eat the hay whenever he chooses. How is this possible?
Think about the horse's position in relation to the saloon...
The rope is not tied to anything else.
If a chicken says, "All chickens are liars". Is the chicken telling the truth?
Think about the paradoxical situation where the chicken's statement would be true, but that would mean...
Answer: Chickens cannot talk.
Some try to hide, some try to cheat; but time will show, we always will meet. What am I?
Think about something that inevitably catches up with everyone, no matter how hard they try to avoid or deceive...
I am death.
All of Mrs. Smith's pets are dogs except one, and all her pets are cats except one. How many cats and dogs does she have?
Think about the wording carefully... "except one" is a crucial phrase. It's not about the number of pets, but about the type of pets.
Mrs. Smith has one cat and one dog.
I look at you, you look at me, I raise my right, you raise your left. What am I?
Think about a common, everyday situation where you face someone and make a simultaneous action...
Your reflection in a mirror.
Why can't the world ever come to an end?
Think about the meaning of the word "end" in a more literal sense...
Because it's round.
How many of each type of animal did Moses take on the Ark?
Think Bible, but not too hard...
None, it was Noah.
If life gets tough, what do you have that you can always count on?
Think about something that is always with you, no matter what...
Your fingers!
What's stronger than a boulder, but weaker than a flying insect?
Think about something that can be easily crushed by a flying insect, but can also exert a powerful force that can move a massive boulder...
Gravity
I run through hills; I veer around mountains. I leap over rivers and crawl through the forests. Step out your door to find me. What am I?
Think about the path that something might take as it moves through different landscapes...
Roads.
Tomorrow Is Neither Wednesday Nor Thursday. Yesterday Was Not Friday Or Saturday. Today Is Not Thursday Nor Monday Nor Sunday. What Day Is Today?
Think about the days of the week in reverse order...
Friday.
How can you physically stand behind your friend as he physically stands behind you?
Think about the words "stand behind" in a more abstract sense...
By standing back to back.
You can see nothing else When you look in my face, I will look you in the eye and I will never lie. What am I?
Think about something you see every day, and when you look at it, it "looks back" at you, always telling the truth...
I am your reflection.
What has one eye but cannot see?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, often used for a specific task...
A needle.
Some days you think I'm pretty, but some days you think I'm ugly. Some days you'll love me, but some days you'll hate me. If you think I'm not good enough, you might get rid of me. Who am I?
Think about something you see every day, but your opinion of it changes depending on the circumstances...
I'm YOU! Some days you think you're pretty, but some days you think you're ugly. Some days you'll love yourself, but some days you'll hate yourself. And if you think you are not good enough, you might get rid of yourself. Life is amazing :) Live your life to the fullest!
When asked how old she was, Suzie replied, "In two years I will be twice as old as I was five years ago." How old is she?
Think about Suzie's age as a mathematical equation, and focus on the relationships between her current age, her age 5 years ago, and her age 2 years from now.
She's 12!
I am the ruler of shovels, I have a double. I am as thin as a knife, I have a wife. What am I?
Think about a common tool used for digging and moving soil, and consider the multiple meanings of the words "double" and "wife"...
The King of Spades (from a deck of cards).
I am a path situated between high natural masses. Remove my first letter and you have a path situated between man-made masses. What am I?
Think about geography and architecture!
A Valley.
I am served at a table, In gatherings of two or four; Served small, white and round. You'll love some, And that's part of the fun. What am I?
Think about a common item found in social gatherings, often paired with others, and enjoyed for their unique characteristics...
Ping Pong Balls.
How can you make the following equation true by drawing only one straight line: 5+5+5=550? Can you figure it out?
Think Roman numerals!
Draw a line on the first plus sign that turns it into a 4! The equation then becomes true: 545+5=550. You could also change the equal symbol to a crossed out equal symbol which means "not equal to".
I'm like a doll, But I'm not for playing; I stand up straight, but if windy I may be laying; I'm well-known and famous for having no brain; I work outside both day and night in sunshine or in rain. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a public place, often seen but not often thought about, and its "brainlessness" is actually a key part of its functionality...
A Scarecrow.
Tomorrow I am surely here, yesterday I am found as well. Today I am gone. Who am I?
Think about the words that describe time periods, and how they relate to the present moment...
The Letter R.
The 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States of America had the same parents, but were not brothers. How can this be possible?
Think about a family connection that's not necessarily by birth...
They were the same man. Grover Cleveland served two terms as president of the United States, but the terms were not consecutive.
There were three girls going to school. They were sharing 1 umbrella. How come all the girls did not get wet?
Think about the direction they were walking...
Because it was not raining!!!
What has to be broken before it can be used?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, or a desk drawer...
An egg.
If you're 8 feet away from a door and with each move you advance half the distance to the door. How many moves will it take to reach the door?
Think about the concept of infinite series...
Infinity! Technically you will never reach the door, as you can only move half the distance, no matter how small.
I don't have eyes, but once I did see. Once I had thoughts, but now I'm white and empty. What am I?
Think about something that once had a "mind" of its own, but now is hollow and devoid of its former function...
I am a skull.
What can be stolen, mistaken, or altered, yet never leaves you your entire life?
Think about something that is closely tied to your identity, and can be affected by the actions of others or yourself, but remains with you from birth to death.
Your identity.
Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white," or "The yolk of the egg is white?"
Think about the meaning of "yolk"...
Neither, because egg yolks are yellow.
On Christmas Eve, when Santa leaves his workshop at the North Pole, what direction does he travel?
Think about the location of the North Pole...
South. If you're on the North Pole the only direction you can go is south.
A man walks into a bar and immediately falls unconscious. Why?
Look for a connection between the man's profession and the bar...
It was an iron bar!
Who can shave three times a day and still grow a beard?
Think about a profession that involves shaving, but not their own beard...
A barber. He could shave other men three times a day and still grow his own beard.
A black dog stands in the middle of an intersecton in a town painted black. None of the street lights are working due to a power failure caused by a storm. A car with two broken headlights drives towards the dog but turns in time to avoid hitting him. How could the driver have seen the dog in time?
The answer doesn't rely on the dog's color or the town's appearance... think about the time of day.
Who said this happened during the night?
Some try to hide, and some try to cheat, but time will show, and we always will meet. Try as you might, to guess my name, I promise you'll know when you I do claim. Who am I?
"Think about something that inevitably catches up with everyone, no matter how hard they try to avoid or deceive..."
Death.
How do you spell hard water with three letters?
Think about a common abbreviation used to represent a chemical compound...
ICE.
If you put roast in a roaster, what do you put in toaster?
Think about the wordplay involved in the riddle, and consider the similarity in the names of the two kitchen appliances...
Bread.
How many bricks does it take to complete a brick building?
Think about the question more literally than you might at first...
One brick.
Name an English word of more than 2 letters that both begins and ends with the letters "he" in that order, there are two possible answers. What is it?
Think about a common phrase people use to express relief or satisfaction, and a type of structure that provides shelter...
Headache or Heartache.
What can you find in the center of gravity?
Think about a word that's often associated with weight or heaviness, and see if you can find the answer "in the center" of it...
The letter V
All the electricity was out in town and none of the street lights or traffic signals had power. A dark limousine was cruising down the newly paved blacktop, with its headlights off. A young boy dressed totally in black (with no reflectors) stepped out to cross the street. The moon wasn't out and the boy had no flashlight, yet the driver stopped to let the boy cross the street. How did the driver see the boy?
Think about the time of day...
The driver saw the boy because it was during the daylight hours.
You have 6 eggs. You break 2, cook 2 and you eat 2 eggs. How many do you have left?
Think about the process, not the quantity...
4. The 2 you break are the ones you cook, which are the ones you eat.
Jason is lying dead. He has an iron bar across his back and some food lying in front of him. How did Jason meet his sorry end?
Think about a common activity people do with iron bars and food...
He is a mouse caught in a mousetrap.
You're sitting down for breakfast and realize you have 4 bagels left. You know you'll run out in four days so you cut them in half. How many bagels do you have now?
Think about what happens when you cut a bagel in half...
4 Bagels.
I love to dance and twist and prance, I shake my tail, and as away I sail, wingless I fly into the sky. What am I?
Think about something that moves with a flowing motion, often associated with celebration or joy, and is commonly seen at parties or special events...
A Kite.
Name an eight-letter word that has kst in the middle, in the beginning, and at the end. What is it?
Think about a word that can be read the same way forwards and backwards...
Inkstand - kst is in the middle. "In" is the beginning, and "and" ends the word.
Joe is turning 17 this year, yet he turned 16 yesterday. How is this possible?
Think about the timing of Joe's birthday in relation to the current date...
Joe's birthday is on December 31, the last day of the year. The current day was January 1st of the next year.
To you, rude would I never be, Though I flag my tongue for all to see. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a public place, used for communication, where the "tongue" is a key part of its design...
A dog!
I have three feet but can't walk; I tell you things but can't talk; Sometimes I bend but I'm mostly straight. I'm like a scale but can't tell your weight. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a room, often near a wall, that provides information, but not through spoken words...
A yardstick.
I am free yet priceless, you can't own me but you can use me, you can't keep me but you can spend me. Once you lost me you can never have me back. What am I?
Think about something that is intangible, yet has great value, and is often associated with time...
Time.
When I'm new, I'm worthless. After I'm old and used, I'm worth hundreds, thousands, and millions. What am I?
Think about something that gains value over time, not because of its physical properties, but because of the stories and history it holds.
A canvas. A blank canvas is worthless until it becomes a painting!
We hurt without moving. We poison without touching. We bear the truth and the lies. We are not to be judged by our size. What are we?
"Think about the things you read every day..."
Words.
A guy was waiting at home, he swung a metal pole then took 3 left turns and on his way back home there was a masked man waiting for him. What is he doing and who is the masked man?
Think about a common activity that involves swinging a metal pole and taking turns... and the "masked man" might not be as sinister as you think!
He is playing baseball and the masked man is the Catcher.
I am four letters long, I can be seen in the sky, I am the ocean & I am the sea. Can you guess me?
Think about a word that can represent a common element or feature shared by the sky, ocean, and sea...
The color Blue.
It's raining, and you pass a bus stop. There are three people there; your trustworthy friend, the love of your life, and a woman about to go into labor. Your smart car only has two seats. What do you do?
Think about who you can safely leave alone at the bus stop...
You first give your keys to your friend and let them take the woman to a hospital, then you wait for the bus with your love.
Why does a person who is sick lose his sense of touch?
"Think about the word 'ense' in a different way..."
Because he does not feel well.
Two men are in a desert. They both have packs on. One of the guys is dead. The guy who is alive has his pack open, the guy who is dead has his pack closed. What is in the pack?
"Think about a common activity people do in a desert, and what they might need to do it..."
A parachute (that didn't open)
What is one thing that all wise men, regardless of their politics or religion, agree is between heaven and earth?
Think about a word that is often found in the middle of those two words...
The word 'And'.
What is red and blue, and purple and green? No one can reach it, not even the queen?
Think about something you might find on a royal crest or a national flag...
A Rainbow.
Where can everyone sit on except you?
Think about a place where everyone can sit, but the person reading this riddle can't...
Your lap.
You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?
Think about a common food item that has a disposable outer layer and a consumable inner part...
Corn on the cob.
You're in a magical bathroom with no windows and the only way things can get in and out is by an open door. You decide to have a bath so you turn on the tap, you shut the door and the handle breaks so you can't open it, you then turn off the tap and the knob breaks so water keeps coming. How do you save yourself from drowning?
Think about what's already in the bathroom with you when you first enter...
Pull out the plug in the bath.
A hole leading in, a hole leading out, we connect to a cavern that is slimy all throughout. What are we?
Think about a part of the human body that has two openings and is connected to a slimy passage...
A nose.
On a fine sunny day a ship was in the harbor. All of a sudden the ship began to sink. There was no storm and nothing wrong with the ship yet it sank right in front of the spectators eyes. What caused the ship to sink?
Think about the phrase "fine sunny day"... What happens to the harbor on a day like that?
It was a Submarine.
I know a word of letters three. Add two, and fewer there will be. What is it?
Think about a common, everyday word that has three letters, and when you add two letters to it, it actually becomes a smaller quantity...
The word "Few".
I do not breathe, but I run and jump. I do not eat, but I swim and stretch. I do not drink, but I sleep and stand. I do not think, but I grow and play. I do not see, but you see me every day. What am I?
Think about something that is always present in our daily lives, yet doesn't possess the qualities of a living being. It's something that can be found in various forms and can be manipulated or changed, but it doesn't have its own consciousness or senses.
I am a leg.
I can be thin, but not fat; You need me around, I promise not to crowd you; Some use a lot of me, especially if they like to chat. What am I?
Think about something you use to communicate, and its physical properties can vary...
Air.
If you drop the soap on the floor, is the floor clean or the soap dirty?
Think about the action of dropping something, and what happens to the object that's being dropped...
It depends on the floor.
A man who lived on the top floor of a twenty story building had to go up and down daily for work, and of course, for food and the other necessities. On most days he could only ride the elevator to the fifteenth story, and he would have to walk the rest of the way. When it rained, however, he could ride all the way up to the twentieth story. Why?
Think about how the man's daily routine might be affected by the rain... and what might be different about his appearance on rainy days.
The man wasn't tall enough to reach the button for the 20th floor. He could only reach the 15th story button on the elevator. When it rained, he brought his umbrella, and used it to press the 20th story button on the elevator.
I am a fruit. If you take away the first letter of my name I become a crime. Take away the first two letters of my name I become an animal. Take away the first and last letter of my name and I become a form of music. What am I?
Think about a fruit that has a name with a strong association with something illegal...
Grape.
You don't have me when you're born, but you have me after. But a few years later, I leave again, and you don't have me anymore. But I don't stay away permanently, and I come back in different form. What am I?
Think about something that is absent at birth, develops over time, fades away, and then reappears in a new form... Consider a aspect of human life that follows this cyclical pattern.
Teeth.
I soar without wings, I see without eyes. I've traveled the universe to and fro. I've conquered the world, yet I've never been anywhere but home. Who am I?
Think about something that can explore and experience many things, yet remains in one place...
I'm your imagination.
A thousand colored folds stretch toward the sky, Atop a tender strand, Rising from the land, 'Til killed by maiden's hand, Perhaps a token of love, perhaps to say goodbye. What am I?
Think about something delicate and beautiful, often associated with emotions and gestures, that can be found in nature and is fragile enough to be easily destroyed by human touch.
A flower.
My first four letters describe all living things. My last five letters are another word for a knight. My job is to save you, and I'm a fan of water. Who am I?
Think about biology and medieval times...
I’m a lifeguard.
What's something that's easy to see but hard to look at?
Think about something that is visually apparent, yet uncomfortable or even painful to gaze at...
The sun.
I'm always in charge, I'm never in debt. I'm known as the first amongst all my kind. I'm found within cars, But never in buses. I'm not used in Mexico, I'm used in Palestine. What am I?
Think about the "driver's seat" and a specific letter that holds a prominent position in the alphabet...
The letter A.
Sally has four classes, Science, Math, English Language Arts, and History. She had a test in every class and wanted to have some fun, so she did all of her tests in French. When she received her tests back, only one teacher could understand her work. If none of Sally's teachers spoke French, which teacher was able to understand the test and how did they understand it?
Hint: Think about the subject matter of each class, and how it might be possible for one teacher to understand the test even if they don't speak French...
The Math teacher, because numbers are the same in French as they are in English.
With pointed fangs, I sit in wait, With piercing force, I dole out fate, Over bloodless victims proclaiming its might, Eternally joining in a single bite. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a sewing kit...
A Stapler.
Four cars come to a four-way stop, all coming from a different direction. They can't decide who got there first, so they all go forward at the same time. They do not crash into each other, but all four cars go. How is this possible?
They all made a right turn.
They all made right-hand turns.
I'm under your face, I'm outside your mind; A biological case, Pressure brings pain sometimes. What am I?
Think about a part of your body that is often overlooked, yet it's always there, and its condition can affect your daily life...
Your skull.
What does everyone wait for, but when it comes, you still have to wait?
Think about a universal experience that people eagerly anticipate, but even when it arrives, there's often a lingering sense of anticipation...
Tomorrow.
I have a neck but no head. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a closet or a dresser...
A bottle.
What is in seasons, seconds, centuries and minutes but not in decades, years or days?
Think about the concept of "divisions" or "sub-units" of time...
The letter N.
A cop was walking past a restaurant when he heard someone scream - "No John, not the gun!" He ran inside and and saw a doctor, a lawyer, a milkman, and a dead body on the floor. He promptly walked over to the milkman and arrested him. He didn't witness the shooting and there was no apparent evidence to prove who shot the person and no one told him who the killer was. How did the policeman instantly know it was the milkman?
Think about the occupation of the person who was screamed at...
The milkman was the only male. The doctor and lawyer were females, so the cop knew that "John" was the milkman.
If a wheel has 64 spokes, how many spaces are there between the spokes?
Think about the fact that there's always one more space than the number of things that are separating those spaces...
64. The space that comes after the 64th spoke, would be just before the first spoke.
A word I know, six letters it contains. Subtract just one, and twelve is what remains. What is the word?
Think about a word that is related to time...
Dozens!
Even if they are starving, natives living in the Arctic will never eat a penguin's egg. Why not?
Think about geography...
Penguins only live in Antarctica.
You can't see me, just as the person next to you can't see theirs. Of course the only way that you can see me, is through a mirror. What am I?
"Reflections of self..."
I'm your reflection.
I can be short and sometimes hot. When displayed, I rarely impress. What am I?
Think about something you might find on a wall, but it's not always attention-grabbing...
I am your temper.
Lynn likes grapes but not potatoes. She likes squash but not lettuce, and she likes peas but not onions. Following the same rule, will she like pumpkins or apples?
Think about the color of the fruits and vegetables Lynn likes...
Pumpkins. Lynn only likes things that grow on vines.
If a papa bull eats three bales of hay and a baby bull eats one bale, how much hay will a mama bull eat?
Think about the wordplay involved in the question, rather than the actual amount of hay eaten...
Nothing. There is no such thing as a mama bull.
A man builds a house with all 4 sides facing south. A bear walks past the house. What color is the bear?
Think about the location where a house with all 4 sides facing south can exist...
White, the house is built directly on the North Pole.
What's as big as you are yet doesn't weigh an ounce?
Think about something that is relative to YOU, but has no physical presence...
A shadow.
You are on an island in the middle of a lake. The lake is in a remote part of the country and there has never been a bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Every day a tractor and wagon gives hay rides around the island. Puzzled as to how the tractor had gotten onto the island, you ask around and find out that the tractor was not transported to the island by boat or by air. Nor was it built on the island. Explain how the tractor got there?
Think about the season when the lake was formed...
It was driven over in winter, when the lake was frozen.
A mother gave birth to six kids. The first daughter's name is July. The second daughter's name is August. The third daughter's name is September. The fourth daughter's name is October. The next child was a boy, therefore, she named him November. The mother was planning on having a girl named December, but it turned out that she got a boy. If she didn't name him December, what is his name?
Think about the pattern of the names and the fact that the mother was planning to have a girl...
Jason. She took the first letter of the names of her children. July, August, September, October, November.
A crime has been committed at Freemont Street. The main suspect is a man named Sean Baker. It was said that a man had been walking along the pathway when he was suddenly shot in the stomach. The suspect had brown hair, blue eyes and wore a baggy Armani suit just like Sean Baker's. Sean was asked to tell the story right from the beginning. "Well," said Sean, "I was just hanging around the park when I saw this man walking along the pathway. Suddenly, a guy came up from behind him and shot him! I ran home as fast as I could." The policemen asked him to give a description of the murderer. "He had a red moustache, red hair and a baggy Armani suit on." "I think this man is telling a lie," said one of the policemen. How did he know?
Pay close attention to the details of Sean's alibi and the description he provides of the murderer...
How can the murderer shoot him in the stomach if he came up behind the man?
As I was going to the fair, I saw a man with golden hair. He had 3 sons each with another one. How many people were going to the fair?
Think about the narrator's perspective and who they are describing...
One. Just me because I met the others on the way to the fair.
When liquid splashes me, none seeps through. When I am moved a lot, liquid I spew. When I am hit, color I change. And color, I come in quite a range. What I cover is very complex, and I am very easy to flex. What am I?
Think about something you might find in an artist's studio...
I'm skin!
What's the difference between a well dressed man on a bicycle and a poorly dressed man on a unicycle?
Think about the way people are often perceived based on their attire... and how that perception might change depending on their mode of transportation!
Attire.
A pipe, a carrot, and a couple sticks are lying together in a field. Why?
Think about a common winter activity...
They're what is left of a melted snowman.
I'm tall and twisted; Narrow and fast; I'm there for a moment, But my devastation lasts. What am I?
Think about a force of nature that can cause destruction in a brief, intense period of time, leaving behind a lasting impact.
A Tornado.
What force and strength cannot get through, I with a gentle touch can do. And many in the street would stand, were I not a friend at hand. What am I?
Think about something that can open or penetrate a barrier, but only with a delicate and soft approach, rather than using brute force.
I am a Key.
Something very extraordinary happened on the 6th of May, 1978 at 12:34 a.m. What was it?
Think about the clock and the date...
At that moment, the time and day could be written as: 12:34, 5/6/78.
Two dogs are sitting on a porch - a fat dog and a thin dog. The little dog is the son of the fat dog, but the fat dog is not the father of the thin dog. Can you explain?
Think about the family dynamics from a different perspective...
The fat dog is the mother.
Carlos was out walking one day. He met his father-in-law's only daughter's mother-in-law. What did Carlos call her?
Think about the relationships between the people mentioned... and remember, Carlos is a part of this family too!
He called her Mom!
I have an eye but am blind, a sea, but no water; a bee, but no honey; Tea but no coffee; and a why, but no answer. What am I?
Think about a place where you might find these words, but not the things they typically represent...
The alphabet.
A man went on a trip with a fox, a goose and a sack of corn. He came upon a stream which he had to cross and found a tiny boat to use to cross the stream. He could only take himself and one other - the fox, the goose, or the corn - at a time. He could not leave the fox alone with the goose or the goose alone with the corn. How does he get all safely over the stream?
Think about the order in which the man transports the three items, and how he can ensure that the fox and goose are never left together, and the goose and corn are never left together. Consider making multiple trips across the stream...
Take the goose over first and come back. Then take the fox over and bring the goose back. Now take the corn over and come back alone to get the goose. Take the goose over and the job is done!
You use it every day, you make it every day, you have to go to it every day. What am I?
Think about something that's a part of your daily routine, something you create anew each morning, and something you must return to regularly...
A bed.
Trains travel from one town to another town all day, always on the same track, always going nonstop and at the same speed. The noon train took 80 minutes to complete the trip, but the 4 PM train took an hour and 20 minutes. Why?
Think about what changes between noon and 4 PM that could affect the trains' journey times...
80 minutes is the same as an hour and 20 minutes.
A man is trapped in a room. The room has only two possible exits: two doors. Through the first door, there is a room constructed from magnifying glass. The blazing hot sun instantly fries anything or anyone that enters. Through the second door, there is a fire-breathing dragon. How does the man escape?
Think about the time of day...
He waits until night time and then goes through the first door.
It is hard for me to live, but easy to die. I am only present when I am not given away. Many people know about me but not what I am. You can keep me, but it is hard. What am I?
Think about something that's fragile and fleeting, yet many people are aware of its existence, but can't quite put their finger on what it is. It's a concept that's often lost or surrendered, but when you do have it, it's precious and difficult to hold onto.
A secret.
I go around in circles, but always straight ahead never complain, no matter where I am led. What am I?
Think about something that moves in a circular motion, yet its direction is always forward, and it doesn't have the ability to express dissatisfaction or unhappiness...
A wheel.
Two mother's and two daughters went out to eat. They each had one burger, yet only three burgers were eaten. How is this possible?
Think about the relationships between the mothers and daughters...
There was a grandmother, mother, and a daughter.
Why is a bad pin like a broken lead pencil?
Think about what makes a pin or a pencil "work" properly...
Because it has no point.
Three men are walking across a green and luscious field. Only two of them are wearing rubber boots and yet the feet of the third man remain dry. Why?
Think about the condition of the field...
The ground is not wet!
Only two back bones and a thousand ribs. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a library or a bookstore...
Railroad track.
While exploring the wilds of Canada, George was captured by hostile wood fairies. Zion, the powerful chief of the fairies told him he could make one final statement which would determine how he would die. If the statement he made was false, he would be boiled in water. If the statement were true, he would be fried in oil. George found neither of this options too his liking, so he made a statement that got him out of this seemingly impossible situation. What is the one statement he could have made?
Think about what George can say that would make both options (boiled in water or fried in oil) impossible for the fairies to fulfill...
George said: "You will boil me in water." The fairies were faced with a dilemma. If they boil him in water, that would make his statement true, which means he should have been fried in oil. They can only fry him in oil if he makes a true statement, but if they do, it would make his final statement false. The fairies had no way our of their situation so they were forced to set George free.
Two sentries were on duty outside a barracks. One faced up the road to watch for anyone approaching from the North. The other looked down the road to see if anyone approached from the South. Suddenly one of them said to the other, "Why are you smiling?" How did he know that his companion was smiling?
Think about the fact that the sentries are facing away from each other...
Although the guards were looking in opposite directions, they were not back to back. They were facing each other.
There are 3 apples for 2 sons and 2 fathers to eat. Each of them get their own apple. How is it numerically possible?
Think about family relationships...
They are one son, one father and one grandfather.
Pronounced as one letter, But look and you'll see, That really I'm written with three. I'm read from both ends, The same either way. What am I?
"Think about a word that is often abbreviated, and its abbreviation is a single letter, but when you write it out in full, it has three letters..."
I am an eye, or an ewe.
I am found in the sea and on land, but I do not walk or swim. I travel by foot, but I am toeless. No matter where I go, I'm never far from home. What am I?
Think about something that can be found in both sea and land, and is often associated with "foot" but doesn't have toes... and is always close to "home" no matter where it goes. Consider a feature that is common to both sea shores and land surfaces.
A snail.
It has keys but it only opens windows, it has a screen door but you don't look through it, you look at it, and it gives you most of the answers to your questions. What is it?
Think about a device you use daily, where you "open" multiple "windows" to access information, and it's common to have a "screen" with a "door" to navigate through...
A laptop.
Not far outside the town of Pottsville, a railroad track runs through a tunnel in a hillside. There's only one track, and the tunnel is wide enough for only one train. But one day, two trains went into the tunnel from opposite directions. Each train entered the tunnel exactly at eight o'clock. Three minutes later, each train came out at the opposite ends of the tunnel. Yet, there was no collision! How was this possible?
Think about the time of day and the fact that the trains entered the tunnel at exactly 8:00...
One train comes at 8am and the other train came at 8pm.
What kind of coat can be put on only when wet?
Think about something you might apply to your body after a shower or bath...
A coat of paint!
I am from the month of December. I am not a holiday. I am the only month that has this. What am I?
"Think about the calendar, and a unique characteristic that December has, which no other month shares..."
The letter D. The first letter of the month.
What has arms and legs but no head?
Think about something you might find in a room, often in a corner...
A chair!
A woman is put in a cement room without windows. The door is mechanically bolted shut and under strict watch so that nobody can come in or out. It is secured in every possible way. 24 hours later, the door is opened, and there are now 2 people inside the room. How is this possible?
Think about the woman's condition when she was first put in the room...
The woman was pregnant.
What word doesn't belong in this group? That, hat, what, mat, cat, sat, pat, or chat?
The hint is: Look at the question itself for the answer.
What. It's pronounced differently; all of the others rhyme.
I drive men mad For love of me, Easily beaten, Never free. What Am I?
"Think about something that is often desired, yet can also be a source of frustration and enslavement..."
Gold.
Imagine you are in a box. It's airtight sealed, you have nothing with you. How do you get out?
"Think outside the box... literally!"
Stop imagining!
What do the following words have in common? Vermont, Statuesque, Swedish, Arthur's, Africa, Sensation, Misunderstood?
Think about words that can be typed using only the left hand on a standard QWERTY keyboard layout.
They each contain an abbreviation of a day of the week. verMONt, staTUESque, sWEDish, arTHUR’S, aFRIca, senSATion, miSUNderstood.
What can be measured, but has no length, width, or height?
Think about something that can be quantified, but doesn't occupy physical space...
The Temperature.
From dawn to dusk I soar through the sky, A thunderous voice, but silent I fly. Through the darkest depths I will not die, Yet I can not be seen by the naked eye. What am I?
"Think about something that's present in the atmosphere, yet invisible to the human eye..."
Radio waves.
The marathon man timed himself and found out that if he wore a bright white outfit he ran 20 miles in 80 minutes, but when he wore a dark outfit, he ran 20 miles in one hour and twenty minutes. What does this mean for his next race?
Think about how the marathon man's outfit might affect his performance, but not in the way you might expect...
Absolutely nothing, as 80 minutes equals an hour and twenty minutes.
There once was an evil wizard. He took 3 woman from their homes and turned them into rose bushes that looked exactly alike. He put them in his garden. One of the woman had a husband and children and begged the wizard to let her see them. He agreed. At night, he brought the woman to her house. In the morning he came and took her home. One day the husband decided to go rescue her. So he snuck into the wizard's garden. He looked and looked at the 3 identical rose bushes trying to figure out which could be his wife. Suddenly, he knew the answer and he took his wife home. How did he know which rose bush was his wife?
Pay attention to the wizard's actions at night and in the morning...
The wizard brought the rosebush to her home at night and returned her to the garden in the morning. Therefore, she was the only plant without dew.
How far can a man hike into the woods?
Think about the direction he's hiking...
Halfway. Then after that, he would be walking out of the woods.
There is a frog, dead in the middle of an island. If he swims north, the distance to the mainland is 2 meters. If he swims south, the distance to the mainland is 3 meters. If he swims east or west, the distance is 4 meters. Which way does he swim?
Think about the fact that the frog is already dead...
He doesn't swim at all, he is dead.
There was a green house. Inside the green house there was a white house Inside the white house there was a red house. Inside the red house there were lots of babies What am I?
Think about a common object that you might find in a garden or a yard, and consider the different layers or parts that make it up...
A watermelon.
All about, but cannot be seen, can be captured, cannot be held, no throat, but can be heard. What is it?
"Think about something that surrounds you, yet remains invisible, and can be perceived through your ears rather than your eyes..."
The wind.
You walk into your house the electricity is out you see three doors that you have never seen before. You go through the one with a lion that hasn't eaten for over six months. There are another three doors you go through the one with an empty room. There's a man that says how do you want to be murdered with the gun the knife or the electric chair that will kill you in an instant. How will you survive?
Think about the lion's situation and how it relates to the doors you've chosen so far...
The electric chair because your electricity is out.
I can run constantly without ever getting tired. When I run, I frustrate people and drive them crazy, Yet I don't even have to move to irritate you. What am I?
Think about something that can "run" in a figurative sense, rather than a physical one...
I am a runny nose.
What can you put in a barrel, that will make the barrel lighter?
Think about something that takes up space, but doesn't add weight...
A Hole.
In a house, there lives a family of 4. There is a father, a mother, an older sister, and a younger sister. One day, the father catches a disease. A week later, Death comes to take the father's soul. The mother begs for 5 more years with her husband, and Death agrees. 5 years later, Death comes back. The older sister begs for 3 more years with her father, and Death agrees. 3 years later, Death comes back. The father, mother, and older sister turn to the younger sister for help, and she is holding a candle with a flame on the end of the wick. The younger sister says, "I have a deal to make, Death. My father will live until this candle burns out." And Death agrees. However, Death never returns. Why not?
The key to this riddle lies in the object the younger sister is holding...
The younger sister blew out the candle, so it didn't technically burn out. Then she threw away the candle so the family wouldn't mistakenly light it.
Two mothers and two daughters go shopping. They have $21, which they split equally between them. How can this be possible?
Think about the relationships between the mothers and daughters... Are there any family connections that could make this possible?
There are three people. There was the Grandmother, her daughter, and the daughter's daughter. Therefore: they each get $7.
Alive without breath, As cold as death, Never thirsty, Ever drinking, Clad in mail, Never clinking, Drowns on dry land, Thinks an island Is a mountain, Thinks a fountain Is a puff of air. What am I?
Think about something that can exist in a frozen state, and its "drinking" and "drowning" are more like metaphors...
A fish.
I'm tempting, so it's said, I have a shiny coat of red, And my flesh is white beneath. I smell so sweet, Taste good to eat, And help to guard your teeth. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a bathroom, and is often associated with oral hygiene...
I am an apple!
I have many feathers to help me fly. I have a body and head, but I'm not alive. It is your strength which determines how far I go. You can hold me in your hand, but I'm never thrown. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a sporting goods store, and consider the phrase "it's all in the wrist"...
An Arrow.
What can't be burned in fire, nor drowned in water?
Think about something that can't be harmed or changed by extreme temperatures or liquids... It's something you might find in a book or a conversation.
Ice.
You're on a bus. 20 people get on at the first stop. At the next stop 45 people get on. At the 3rd stop 48 people get off. Then at the next stop 5 people get off and 9 get on. At the last stop 21 people get off 2 people are left. How is this possible? (Who's still on the bus)!?
Think about the person who's been on the bus the entire time...
This is possible because you and the bus driver are still on the bus!
I can sizzle like bacon, I am made with an egg, I have plenty of backbone, but lack a good leg, I peel layers like onions, but still remain whole, I can be long, like a flagpole, yet fit in a hole. What am I?
Think about something that can be cooked, has a structural element, and can be found in various lengths...
I'm a snake.
What ends in a 'w' but has no end?
Think about something that you might find in a dictionary...
A rainbow!
When is the answer in the question?
Think about the words used in the question itself, and consider the possibility that the answer is hiding in plain sight...
In a riddle.
At night they come without being fetched, And by day they are lost without being stolen. What are they?
Think about something that naturally appears in the evening and disappears in the morning, without any human intervention...
The stars.
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...
Happy birthday.
A man was found murdered in his own house on a Sunday morning. His wife called the police. The police questioned the wife and got the following alibis: The wife said she was sleeping. The Cook said he was making breakfast. The gardener said he was picking vegetables. The maid said she was getting the post. The Butler (a personal assistant) said that he was cleaning the closet. The police instantly arrested the murderer. Who did it and how did they know?
Pay close attention to the day of the week and the tasks each person claimed to be doing...
The maid. There is no post on Sunday.
A woman waved to a man in a taxi. She got into the taxi and told the taxi driver where to take her. He nodded to her and drove. The woman talked a lot and that annoyed the taxi driver. The taxi driver said," Ma'am, I can't hear what you are saying! I am as deaf as a post!" The woman stopped talking for the rest of the ride. Once she got out of the taxi, she realized he was lying. How did she know?
Pay attention to the taxi driver's response to the woman's directions at the beginning of the ride...
There are two ways she figured out: 1. He would have had to hear her to know she was talking as he was focusing on driving. 2. He would not have heard her directions if he was deaf and wouldn't have nodded in response as a way to confirm he got the directions.
Joe and Sally were sitting in their family room one night. While Joe was watching T.V, his wife Sally was reading. All of a sudden the power went out and Joe decided to go to bed, but Sally kept on reading. With no use of artificial light, Sally kept on reading. How?
The key to this riddle lies in the fact that Sally's activity didn't require electricity...
Sally was blind, she was reading a book by Braille.
There are four brothers in this world that were all born together. The first runs and never wearies. The second eats and is never full. The third drinks and is always thirsty. The fourth sings a song that is never good. What are the four brothers?
Think about the natural world and the cycles that occur within it...
Water, Fire, Earth, and Wind.
ln your dream, Voldemort is chasing you. "Avada Kedavra!" he cries. The light is two feet away from you. How do you get away?
Think outside the wizarding world...
Wake up.
A man moved into a new house and decided he was tired after the journey and turned off all the lights and went to bed. The next morning he killed 365 people, he does not sleep walk he slept like a baby. How could this be?
Think about the man's profession...
He lived in a light house.
What do you throw out to use and take in when you're done?
Think about something you might find in a kitchen, but it's not a food or a drink...
An anchor.
What is the next number in the series? 7,645 5,764 4,576...
"Look at the numbers in a different order..."
6,457. The last digit is moved to the front to make the next number.
You and Hector are in the car. You are in the passenger seat while Hector is driving. Hector is very good at driving. He closes his eyes to scare you as he is driving. You look at him and see his eyes closed. Your heart starts pounding because there is something in the road and Hector has to swerve out of the way, but with his eyes closed he can't see it, yet he still swerved out of the way and kept driving perfectly. Along with his eyes being closed the whole time, you were also silent the whole time. How is that possible that he knew something was in the way with his eyes closed?
Think about the situation from a different perspective...
Since you are in the passenger seat, when you look at Hector all you see is the right side of his face, only his right eye. He had his right eye closed and his left eye opened. You just couldn't see it.
Six glasses are in a row. The first three are filled with milk, and the last three are empty. By moving only one glass, can you arrange them so that the full and the empty glasses alternate?
Think about moving a glass from one end to the other, but not necessarily to an adjacent position...
Pick up the second glass and pour the milk into the fifth glass and then put it back in the second position.
What word is a fun word, until you add one letter and it becomes a terrible word that no one wants to happen?
Think about a word that's often associated with celebrations and happy times, but adding a single letter to it can make it a dreaded event...
Laughter: If you add an 'S' to the beginning of laughter it becomes slaughter.
A man is driving in his car, there are no headlights or streetlights for him to see the road. But somehow, he saw an old lady crossing the street and stopped for her. How is this possible if there are no lights?
The man was driving during the daytime.
It was daytime!!
A wealthy man lives alone in a small cottage. Being partially handicapped, he had everything delivered to his cottage. The mailman was delivering a letter one Thursday when he noticed that the front door was ajar. Through the opening, he could see the man's body lying in a pool of dried blood. When a police officer arrived he surveyed the scene. On the porch were two bottles of warm milk, Monday's newspaper, a catalog, flyers, and unopened mail. The police officer suspects it was foul play. Who does he suspect and why?
Hint: Pay close attention to the deliveries and the day of the week...
The police officer suspects the newspaper delivery person. The absence of Tuesday's and Wednesday's newspapers indicates that the delivery person knew there was no one there to read it.
There are 3 light bulbs in three separate rooms. in front of you, there is a panel with 3 separate switches. They only turn on or off. You may look inside each room only once. How can you tell which bulb belongs to which switch?
Here's a hint: Think about how you can use the switches to create a "pattern" or "code" that you can then decipher when you look inside the rooms. Consider what you can do to the switches before you open the doors...
You turn on any two switches, leave them for a few minutes, and turn one switch off. You enter each room only once. you know that the lightbulb that is lit belongs to the switch that was left on, the bulb that is off, but hot, belongs to the switch you turned off, and the cold bulb belongs to the switch you never touched.
A Robber is robbing a bank. He steals all the customer's money when he sees a safe. He threatens the clerk to tell him the code for the safe. She says " Sorry I can't. The code is changing every day." But the robber finds out the code. How did he find it out?
Look for a clue on the clerk's calendar...
"The code is CHANGING every day."
What is the difference between electricity and lighting?
Think about the outcome, not the source...
You have to pay for electricity.
This is an abnormal paragraph. It is not normal at all. All of its writing is grammatically right, but it looks wrong. If you find what's wrong, you'll show your skill in sight. If you can't find it, that's alright. Not many found it instantly. You may look on for hours and hours, or you may find it soon. In any way, it isn't normal. Why?
Pay attention to the words, not the meaning.
This paragraph contains no words with "e" in it. This is abnormal as "e" is found most commonly.
How do you make the number one disappear by adding to it?
Think about a simple arithmetic operation that involves adding a specific value to 1, and the result is that the number "one" is no longer visible...
Add a g and it's g-one.
It was 8 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning in November when Inspector YU of the local police department received the call that a robbery had taken place at the home of a Miss Tiffany Ritz, a wealthy widow who lived in a wealthy neighborhood of seven mansions. The Ritz mansion was exactly in the middle, with three neighboring mansions located on either side of her lavish estate. Upon arriving at the scene of the crime, Inspector Yu was informed by the police that Miss Ritz had called 9-1-1 at 6 a.m. to report her million-dollar broach had been stolen during the night. She said she had gone downstairs just before 6 a.m. to feed her pet piranha fish when she noticed the window was open, and her ruby broach was missing from its glass display case. The police informed Inspector Yu they had left the grounds behind the mansions undisturbed, as that was where the break-in had occurred, and with the assistance of a two-inch snowfall during the night, they knew any footprints would be easily readable in the freshly fallen snow. Wasting no time, Inspector Yu began an intricate search of the snow-covered grounds behind the Ritz mansion where the break-in had occurred. The blacktopped roadway behind the seven mansions had already been plowed by the contracted maintenance man, but the snow-covered yards behind each mansion remained undisturbed. Inspector Yu was surprised to see there were absolutely no footprints of any kind leading up to the rear window of the Ritz estate, and he was especially mystified by the presence of a strange, slightly curving line in the snow which went from the plowed blacktop to the rear window where the robber had entered to steal the million-dollar broach. How was it possible for there to be absolutely no footprints in the snow which had fallen during the night, and what had caused the bizarre, curving two-inch wide line pressed into the snow which lead to the back window? The inspector noted a small, circular hole had been cut out of the window glass, where someone had reached through to undo the latch. Inspector Yu then opened the window and entered the room where the burglary had taken place. A second hole had been cut out of the glass case protecting the broach, and the thief had obviously reached through the hole and swiped the valuable jewelry. He found no other significant clues in the room, and the dusting of the window and broach case for fingerprints brought no results. Inspector Yu had observed the strange, curved line which was pressed into the snow lead to the back window, but then went away from that window in a different direction, noting this two-inch wide track then returned back to the blacktop near the place where it had started. An inspection of the other snow-covered yards behind the other six mansions revealed no footprints and no sign of the mysterious curved line in the snow. Inspector Yu's next step was to interview the tenants of the three mansions on either side of the Ritz home. He learned all of the other six neighbors had been in the home of Miss Ritz on numerous occasions for various parties, and they all said they had been shown the million-dollar broach in the case. None of the six had an alibi for their whereabouts the night of the robbery, as they all lived alone, and had slept soundly through the night, according to their testimonies. The inspector also discovered each of the neighbors despised one another, including Miss Ritz, and each one tried to implicate the others concerning the case, with stories about their exotic and bizarre behaviors. The tenants were identified as follows: Miss Sharp, a professional ice skater, whom one of the neighbors said had a habit of riding around the neighborhood on a pair of custom-built motorized ice skates, making a complete spectacle of herself on the icy blacktop. Another neighbor, Samuel Clowney, was a retired circus entertainer who was well versed in all aspects of circus performance life. One of the neighbors reported Mr. Clowney liked to show off some of his circus skills by riding up and down in front of the seven mansions as he demonstrated his balancing skill, while simultaneously juggling up to five oranges. A third neighbor, a Mr. Baghat, had relocated to the U.S. from India. Several neighbors reported he had a snake he had trained to fetch items for him upon request, and had actually trained the snake to move through the snow, even though snakes are cold-blooded reptiles which usually hate cold environments. Neighbor number four, a former Olympic pole vaulting champion from France by the name of Monsieur Jumpette, once reportedly shocked each of these neighbors by running through each of their yards using his pole to vault over each of their in-ground swimming pools. A fifth neighbor, a Miss Priscilla Pirouette, was a professional ballerina who reportedly showed off her skills to her neighbors on a regular basis, by walking on her extreme tiptoes up and down in front of the seven mansions. The last neighbor, a Miss Tallsey, was an extremely thin and emaciated woman who was 7 feet 2 inches tall but weighed less than 100 pounds. Her neighbors told Inspector Yu she made a frequent habit of walking around the neighborhood on a tall pair of wooden stilts, making her over ten feet tall. After interviewing each of the six neighbors in their mansions, Inspector Yu deduced one thing for certain: This was the weirdest group of people in one neighborhood he had ever seen in his entire life! The inspector felt certain one of the six neighbors had stolen the precious ruby broach, and he felt almost 100% certain he knew who the culprit was, based on one of the reports he had received from one of the neighbors. The inspector made his arrest, and sure enough, the million-dollar ruby broach was found in that neighbor's home. And now you, (not Inspector Yu), as a member of the Detective Dream Team, must use your powers of deduction to identify the thief who stole the precious ruby broach. So.......... Who Done It?
Here's a hint: Think about the strange, curving line in the snow and how it relates to one of the neighbors' unique habits or abilities. Consider how this line could have been created without leaving any footprints in the snow.
Inspector Yu was tipped off by one of the neighbors who spoke about the circus skills of Samuel Clowney. The neighbor mentioned Mr. Clowney liked to "demonstrate his balancing skill while juggling up to five oranges." The inspector discovered what the neighbor was referring to when he interviewed Samuel Clowney in his mansion, and noticed many pictures of Mr. Clowney riding a unicycle while juggling various objects. Only the tire of a unicycle could have made the curving line in the snow which lead up to the back window of the Ritz mansion where the break-in had occurred. This explained the mystery of why no footprints were found on the ground outside the window, as Mr. Clowney's feet were on the pedals of his unicycle, and never touched the ground.
Bright as diamonds, Loud as thunder, Never still, A thing of wonder. What am I?
Think about something that shines brightly, makes a loud noise, and is always in motion... and it's often associated with awe and amazement.
A Waterfall.
What is mostly reliable but you won't make a peep unless it goes beep?
Think about something you might find in a bedroom or a hospital room, and it's used for a very specific purpose...
An Alarm Clock.
Where is the AD before BC, tomorrow before yesterday, and the eight is first?
Think about a place where time and numbers are often seen together...
In a dictionary.
When you stop and look, you can always see me. If you try to touch you cannot feel me. I cannot move, but as you near me, I will move away from you. What am I?
You're always just out of reach...
I am the horizon.
I grow in the dark and shine in the light; The paler I am, the more I am liked; My maker never gets paid, but never goes on strike. What am I?
Think about something that is often associated with beauty and is prized for its clarity and purity...
A pearl.
What is heavy forwards, and NOT backwards?
Think about a word that has a different meaning or connotation when its letters are reversed...
Ton. Ton is heavy, and backwards it spells "not".
A man takes a basketball and throws it as hard as he can. There is nothing in front, behind, or on either side of him, and yet, the ball comes back and hits him square in the face. How can this be?
Think about the environment the man is in...
He threw the ball straight up in the air.
10 fish are in a tank. 10 drown. How many died?
Fish can't drown...
None, cause fish can't drown.
Aiyleen is having her 3rd birthday party. But she has been alive for 12 years. How is that possible?
Think about the difference between a "birthday" and a "year of life"...
Her birthday is on a leap year! (February 29th)
If three cats catch three mice in three minutes, how many cats would be needed to catch 100 mice in 100 minutes?
Think about the rate at which the cats catch mice, rather than the absolute number of mice or minutes.
The same three cats would do. Since these three cats are averaging one mouse per minute, given 100 minutes, the cats could catch 100 mice.
What is the smallest bridge in the world?
Think about something you might find in a mouth...
The bridge of your nose.
I have one, you have one. Take away a letter and a bit remains. If you remove the second, bit still remains. After much trying, you might be able to remove the first one also, but it remains. What's the word?
Think about something you might find in a computer, and how the word changes when you remove certain letters...
Habit! Remove the 'H', and it's 'a bit'. Remove the 'A', and it's 'bit'. Remove 'B', and it's 'it'.
There were two pairs hanging on a tree, one man walked by and took a pair. Soon after a second man also took a pear from the tree. However, even after both men took fruit from the tree there was still a pear left on the tree. How could this be?
Think about the multiple meanings of the word "pair"!
There were four pears (2 pairs) on the tree. The first man took a pair (2 pears) and the second only took one pear leaving one pear on the tree.
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: The detective was a master of disguise, but his coding skills were rooted in something familiar...
Bill is the suspect if you read upside down the numbers it says: "Bill is boss. He sells oil."
What is white on the outside, soft on the inside, and golden in the heart?
Think about a popular food item that's often eaten as a snack or dessert, and its various layers...
An egg.
What arithmetic symbol can be put between 2 and 3 so that the resulting number is greater than 2 but less than 3?
Think about a symbol that can be used to combine numbers, but doesn't necessarily perform a traditional arithmetic operation...
A decimal point. 2.3 is greater than 2 and less than 3.
What goes up and down a hill but never moves?
Think about something that is stationary, yet its position on the hill appears to change...
A path.
I went to city OZ on the way I saw four women, with four bags, who had four kittens. Each woman had two children with her. How many people went to the city OZ? (count correctly)
Think about who is telling the story...
One because I went to city OZ on the way I saw...
With three eyes and as black as night, I frequently knock down ten men with a single strike! What am I?
Think about a common object you might find in a game or sport, and consider how its "eyes" and color might be interpreted in a clever way...
A Bowling ball.
If it takes 3 people to dig 1 hole how many people does it takes for 1/2 an hole?
Think about what happens when you dig half a hole... Do you really need to dig at all?
You can't dig 1/2 an hole because once you begin to dig it is an hole.
A king has no sons, no daughters, and no queen. For this reason, he must decide who will take the throne after he dies. To do this he decides that he will give all of the children of the kingdom a single seed. Whichever child has the largest, most beautiful plant will earn the throne; this is a metaphor for the kingdom. At the end of the contest, all of the children came to the palace with their enormous and beautiful plants in hand. After he looks at all of the children's pots, he finally decides that the little girl with an empty pot will be the next Queen. Why did he choose this little girl over all of the other children with their beautiful plants?
The king was not looking for the child who could grow the most beautiful plant, but rather the child who could understand and respect the rules and conditions of the kingdom.
The king gave them all fake seeds; he chose the little girl who was honest and didn't switch seeds.
What goes up and down at the same time but doesn't move?
Think about something you might find on a building or a wall...
Stairs!
It's Halloween and 4 friends (Steven, James, Amy, and Ashley), that are all in high school, decide to go to a costume party. They decide they will wear matching costumes. They all use wheelchairs in their costumes. One friend is paralyzed, and the other 3 friends can walk. Steven says, "I have been paralyzed for 25 years and I need my wheelchair for mobility." James says, "I am not paralyzed, so I am just using my wheelchair for my costume." Amy says, "I have been paralyzed for 5 years. I was walking home from school and a drunk driver hit me." Ashley says, "When I was 9 years old, I fell 3 stories off the edge of my balcony and broke my C9 vertebrae." Two of the friends are telling the truth and the other two friends are lying. Which friend is paralyzed?
Here's a hint: Pay close attention to the specific details each friend provides about their past, especially the circumstances surrounding their supposed paralysis. One of the liars will have a story that is suspiciously... convenient.
Amy is paralyzed. Steven is lying because he is in high school which means he is less than 25 years old, so he couldn't have been paralyzed for 25 years. Ashley is lying because there are only 7 vertebrae in the cervical section of the spine, so she couldn't have broken her C9 vertebrae. James is telling the truth that he is not paralyzed. This means Amy must be telling the truth that she is the paralyzed friend.
A woman went to Virginia to get a job. She promised her mother she would come back and visit sometime. Then, in the middle of winter, her mother shouted, "April is here!". How is this possible?
Think about the woman's name...
The woman's name is April.
Two men were playing tennis. They played five sets and each man won three sets. How can this be possible?
Think about the format of a tennis tournament, not just a casual game between two players...
The two men were partners playing doubles.
A simple peasant bought a number of camels and is taking them to his farm. As he rides contentedly along he counts them - he counts 29. He was sure he had bought 30 camel, so in alarm he jumps off his camel and counted the camels again. To his delight, there are 30. Half an hour later, he counts his camels and once more there are just 29. Confused, he climbs off his camel and counts again. Once more there are 30. Can you explain?
The peasant is riding one of the camels while counting them.
When he is on the camel he omits to count it.
What number do you get when you multiply all the numbers on a telephone's number pad?
Think about the layout of a standard telephone keypad...
0, anything multiplied by 0 will equal zero.
123456789123456789123456789. Can you find the the mistake?
The hint is: Look for something that shouldn't be repeated.
In the question there are two the's.
My name is Jeff. I changed my name to Joe. Then I changed my name to Dilly Bar. I then changed my name to Jimmy. I changed my name once again, it was John. What is my name?
Think about a popular frozen treat that comes in different "names" or flavors...
Jeff, because at the top it says my name is Jeff, and my name WAS John. Which implies I changed it again.
One day, a scientist was down in his lab. It was around 11 o'clock. He was working late on poisons and their antidotes. He was hungry, so he went to get a snack. Suddenly, he found himself tied to a chair. There was a nasty-looking robber in front of him. The robber had his wife. He said,' I will only leave you and your wife if you feed her 1 whole teaspoon of poison of your choice, if you don't, then I will kill you both'. The scientist fed his wife an entire teaspoon of a type of poison from his lab, but the wife did not die, how? There were blue, red, white, green, yellow, and pink-colored poisons in his lab. All of them were deadly. Which one did the scientist choose?
Think about the situation and the fact that the scientist is a expert in poisons and their antidotes... what might he know about his wife that would make this scenario possible?
The white one, since sugar is known as 'White Poison'.
I have many colors, but I am not a rainbow. I am a cube, but I am not a box. You can shuffle me around, but I'm almost impossible to solve. What am I?
Think about something you might find on a table or desk, used for entertainment or mental stimulation, with multiple colored sides that can be rotated and rearranged...
A Rubik's cube!
Three doctors say Robert is their brother. However, Robert says he has no brother. Who's lying?
Think about the doctors' relationship to Robert...
No one. The doctors are all women.
Write the missing half of each word pair ? 11. Peace and 12. Thunder and 13. Back and 14. Thick and 15. Tooth and 16. Sticks and 17. Aches and 18. Bread and 19. Hammer and 20. Hide and
Here's a hint: Think about common idiomatic expressions or phrases that complete each pair of words.
11. Quiet 12. Lightning 13. Forth 14. Thin 15. Nail 16. Stones 17. Pains 18. Butter 19. Nail 20. Seek
Seven kids are in line for a carnival ride. Third, in line is Joe, and two spots ahead of him are Kylie. Seventh in line is Kate, in front of Kate is Rylie, behind Joe is Chris, Elizabeth is ahead of John in line. What is the order of the line?
Pay attention to the relationships between the kids, especially the phrases "two spots ahead of" and "behind". Think of the line as a sequence of spots, and try to fill in the blanks one by one. Start with what you know about Joe and Kylie's positions, and then work your way up and down the line.
1. Kylie 2. Elizabeth 3. Joe 4. Chris 5. John 6. Rylie 7. Kate.
Which day comes after the day before Friday?
Think about the days of the week in reverse order...
That day is Friday.
A woman was found dead in a ditch. They picked up her phone and called the first person in her contacts, which was the husband. They called the husband and said, "Hi, your wife was found dead in a ditch, please hurry!" So, the husband came to the ditch and got arrested. Why did he get arrested?
The husband was already at the scene of the crime...
The husband killed her, because he knew where the ditch was.
Near a castle without a moat, a well-known queen was captured and held hostage by a dark and powerful enemy force. Several of her loyal servants tried to break through enemy lines to free her, but most of them were eliminated during battle. However, one of her servants was able to break through the enemy's defenses to free the queen-at the cost of his own life; but he knew he could never go back once he had started. Can anyone identify this well-known queen and the lowly servant who performed the greatest sacrifice to save her?
Think about a game, not a historical event. The "castle" and "queen" are not what you might expect.
The queen was the white queen, and the servant who was sacrificed was a white pawn who had reached the back row of the black chess pieces—and was subsequently promoted/exchanged for the captured white queen.
A man was shot to death while in his car. There were no powder marks on his clothing, which indicated that the gunman was outside the car. However, all the windows were up and the doors locked. After a close inspection was made, the only bullet holes discovered were on the man's body. How was he murdered?
Think about a situation where the man was not driving his car when he was shot...
The victim was in a convertible. He was shot when the top was down.
This object can be driven, but has no wheels, and can also be sliced and remain whole. What is it?
Think about something you might find on a golf course, and also something you might serve at a dinner party...
A Golf Ball.
In order to figure out what is in a sealed box, you perform some tests. The box seems heavy for its size and is harder to remove from a steel table than when placed on a concrete floor. What kind of object could be inside the box?"
"Think about the forces at play when you place the box on different surfaces..."
The answer is magnet because it would be really hard to move a magnet across a steel table since it would attract to the steel-not making it able to move.
We are little creatures; all of us have different features. One of us in glass is set; one of us you'll find in jet. Another you may see in tin, and the fourth is boxed within. If the fifth you should pursue, it can never fly from you. What are we?
Think about common objects that can be found in various materials, and consider the different meanings of the word "set" and "fly"...
We are vowels.
Dave and Brad, two popular politicians, met at a club to discuss the overthrow of their party leader. They each ordered a vodka on the rocks. Brad downed his and ordered another. He then drank his second in a gulp and decided to wait before he ordered a third. Meanwhile, Dave, who was sipping his drink, suddenly fell forward dead. Both men were set up for assassination. Why did Dave die and Brad live?
Think about the temperature of the drinks...
Both Dave and Brad were given drinks with poisoned ice cubes. Brad drank his drinks so quickly that the ice didn't have time to melt and release the poison.
One day a little boy named John went over to his parents and said that he wanted to shoot people and blow them up. His parents were really proud of his career choice. keep in mind that his parents were not very violent people. What is he?
Think about a profession that involves "shooting" and "blowing things up", but in a non-violent and creative context.
John wanted to be a photographer.
There is a man in a 4-story building. He jumps out of the window and is unharmed. He used no padding and had no harm done. How?
He was on the ground floor.
He jumped out of the ground floor.
What's weightless, visible to the naked eye, and when you put it in a barrel of water it will make the barrel lighter in weight?
Think about something that takes up space, but doesn't have mass...
A hole!
One day an alchemist brought a king a bottle holding a strange liquid. The alchemist said, "This liquid I discovered will dissolve anything it touches." How did the king know that he was lying?
Think about the alchemist's statement... If the liquid truly dissolved anything it touched, what would be a major problem with the way the alchemist presented it to the king?
The king knew if what he said was true the bottle would get dissolved!
Walk on the living, they don't even mumble. Walk on the dead, they mutter and grumble. What are they?
Think about a common path or surface that you might walk on, and how it might be affected by the living versus the dead...
Fallen leaves.
A retired couple had just completed construction on a brand new house. The husband had worked in construction, and his wife had been an interior decorator, so the finished house looked great. They were so proud of their new house, they invited their 12 grandchildren over to see it. Within an hour of their visit, however, the 12 children had broken several windows, pulled decorations from the walls, smashed parts of the white fence surrounding the house, and somehow even managed to destroy parts of the new roof. Shockingly, the retired couple did not try to set any behavioral limits on their grandchildren, and in fact, were observed smiling and laughing as their grandchildren inflicted damage on the house the couple had so carefully created together. Has the world gone mad? What kind of insanity was going on here?
Think about the type of "construction" the husband was involved in...
The retired couple had constructed a small gingerbread house for their grandchildren, and invited them over to eat it.
Does the Christian religion allow a man to marry his widow's sister?
Think about the wording of the question very carefully...
A dead man cannot marry. His widow would mean he is dead.
You can take off all of my skin and I will not cry but you will. What am I?
Think about something that has a outer layer that can be removed, and when it is, it might make you tear up, but not because it's feeling emotional pain...
I'm an onion.
I know a word of letters three. Add two, and fewer there will be! What Word Am I?
Think about a common, everyday word that refers to a quantity or amount, and how adding two letters to it might create a paradox...
Few.
What lives in winter, dies in summer, and grows with its roots upward?
Think about something that's often associated with cold weather, but disappears when the sun comes out...
An icicle.
A world-famous magician and his young assistant were observed walking slowly along in a department store when suddenly they both stopped walking and began to slowly rise from the floor. The two continued to rise majestically until they had reached a height of 20 feet. Numerous store customers and a security guard witnessed the event, but no one seemed shocked by what they had seen, and no report of the occurrence ever reached the news media. The secrets of magic are not supposed to be revealed, but how would you speculate the magician and his assistant accomplished this feat, and why didn't the onlookers express amazement?
Hint: Think about the department store's layout and a common feature often found in them...
The magician and his assistant were simply using an escalator to go up to the next floor in the department store.
I am a seven letter word containing thousands of letters. What am I?
Think about a word that represents a collection or a container of many things, and it's not a living thing.
Mailbox.
Shoot at me a thousand times and I may still survive; one scratch from me and you will find your prospects take a dive. What am I?
Think about something that can withstand many attacks, but its own "attack" can have severe consequences... It's often associated with games, strategy, and risk.
An Eightball.
I'm sometimes white, and always wrong. I can break a heart and hurt the strong. I can build love and tear it down. I can make a smile, but more often bring a frown. What am I?
Think about something that can be both creative and destructive, and is often associated with emotions...
I am a lie.
I have three arrows, but I don't have a bow. I am often blue, but always green. You give to me knowingly, and I return your gifts in secret. What am I?
Think about a type of card that is often associated with a specific color, and the gestures people make when giving or receiving something...
A recycling bin.
I usually wear a yellow coat. I usually have a dark head. I make marks wherever I go. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a pencil case or on a desk...
A pencil.
What has 4 letters and sometimes 9 but never has 5 letters and always has 6 letters. What is the answer to this tricky riddle?
Think about a common, everyday word that refers to a unit of time...
"What" has 4 letters. "Sometimes" has 9 letters. "Never" has 5 letters. "Always" has 6 letters.
I can spell, yet I have no mouth. I can speak to animals, but can't speak to humans. I am fierce but small. What am I?
Think about something that can convey a message or "speak" in a way, but doesn't have a physical voice or mouth. It's something that might be intimidating or powerful despite its small size, and it has a special connection to the animal kingdom...
I am a bee.
A man was born in 1898 He is still alive now at the age 33 How is this possible ?
Think about the concept of "time" and how it can be relative...
he was born in room 1898 in the hospital
Many years ago, a group of friends and I were hiking through a dense forest near my home, when one of the group stopped and made a suggestion to everyone. Just as the last words left his mouth, we all scattered, and for the very first time, I saw It! It was bigger than most of us, and It was fast -- too fast for my friends, unfortunately. As I ran to try to hide from It, I heard the screams of my comrads behind me. It quickly closed in on them, eventually rendering each of them motionless, and helpless -- and at Its mercy! As I was hiding myself from It, I saw It grab and totally immobilize three more of my closest friends. It was relentless in Its pursuit. My heart raced within my chest as It approached my hiding place. I realized I was the last survivor, but was overmatched by Its speed and power. As It grabbed me, It growled three words at me!!! What were those three words?
Here's a hint: Think about a common activity people do in a forest, and how it might relate to the "suggestion" made by the friend at the beginning of the story.
The three words were, “Tag, you’re It!” We stopped on our hike to play a game of Freeze Tag, and since I was the last one caught, my turn to be It was due.
Who is it that rows quickly with four oars but never comes out from under his own roof?
Think about a common household item that has "oars" (or similar features) and is often found under a roof...
A Turtle.
A man and his wife were doing missionary work near the city of Nairobi in the country of Kenya in eastern Africa. Their housing had not yet been completed, so the man, the woman, and their six year old daughter were spending a few nights in the jungle in three small pup tents. During their third night there, the woman was awakened by the call of a hyena passing by, so she got out of her tent to see if her young daughter had been frightened by the noise. As she peered into her daughter's tent she was surprised to see the dark figures of lion, a panther, and a cheetah which were curled up next to her daughter. Seeing her daughter was asleep and unharmed, the woman slowly and quietly withdrew from the tent, and simply returned to her own tent and went back to bed. How could this child's mother leave her daughter in such a dangerous situation, and simply ignore what she had just witnessed without intervening in some way? How can such emotional coldness ever be explained; or is there something here we are missing?
Think about the purpose of the tents...
The woman was surprised to see that her daughter had talked her father into allowing her to bring her three favorite stuffed animals on the trip with her (the lion, the panther, and the cheetah).
Why is your nose not 12 inches long?
Think about the standard unit of measurement used to describe the length of a nose...
Because it would then be a foot.
What is that which every living person has seen, but will never see again?
Think about a moment in your life that has already passed, something that you experienced once and can never experience again...
Yesterday.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one. Michael J. has a short one. Madonna doesn't have one and the Pope never uses it. What is it?
Think about a feature that is commonly associated with people, but can vary greatly in terms of its characteristics...
A last name.
Did you know that if you live within 5 miles of a cemetery you can't be buried there? Why?
Think about the definition of a cemetery...
If you're living you can't be buried!
What is both possible and impossible at the same time?
Think about something that can be done, yet can never be done... in a sense, it's a matter of perspective.
Impossibility.
Death and taxes; taxes and death----- They're sure to be with us, until our last breath. So, try to save money-----How much can you save? They'll nickel us and dime us-----Right down to the grave. And now that you've heard my negative chant, tell me the man's name you hear in my rant.
Listen carefully to the rhythm and meter of the rant, and think about a famous person whose name sounds like a phrase that's often repeated when discussing the inevitability of...
The man's name is Nicholas (nickel us).
Which word is the odd one out: First Second Third Forth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth?
Think about the correct spelling of a common word that is often mistaken...
Forth. It is incorrectly spelled.
A group of privates were standing in the blistering sun facing due west. Their sergeant shouted at them: Right turn! About turn! Left turn! In which direction are they now facing?
Think about the sequence of turns and how they relate to the original direction...
East.
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.
Four people are sitting around a campfire after a long day of recreation when one man comments: "Do you realize that around this campfire, the four of us include a mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle and a couple of cousins"?. If everyone is related by blood (with no unusual marriages) how is this possible?
"Think about the relationships in a typical family tree, and consider how many roles one person can play..."
The campfire circle includes a woman and her brother. The woman's daughter and the man's son are also present.
My first is in ocean but never in sea, my second's in wasp but never in bee. My third is in glider and also in flight, my whole is a creature that comes out at night. What am I?
Pay attention to the words, not the meanings!
An Owl.
A man is late for an appointment and, in his haste, takes a corner so fast that only two wheels were on the pavement. A policeman is standing on the corner, but he did not give him a ticket. Why?
Think about the type of vehicle the man is driving...
He was on a motorcycle.
Josephine is a young, single woman who is gainfully employed. When working at her job, she dresses informally and wears comfortable shoes, including loafers and flats, but she hates clogs. Being single, she wears no wedding ring, but on the job, she carries many rings of various sizes with her. Josephine enjoys music, and to her job, she always brings several tapes with her, but she never listens to any of them. This woman possesses several tools, one of which bears the name of a tree-dwelling animal, and she uses this tool frequently. Finally, as part of her job, Josephine is a snake-handler, and she can proudly say she has never been bitten by one. What exactly is this young woman's occupation?
Think about a profession where rings, tapes, and tools are essential, and snakes are commonly found...
Josephine is a Plumber. She hates Clogs. She carries rubber O-rings to fix faucets. She uses plumbers Tape and a Tape measure. She uses a Monkey wrench. She also uses a Drain Snake to clear clogged pipes.
I know a word of letters three, add two and fewer there will be?
Think about a common word that has a meaning related to quantity or amount...
The word "few". Add "er" and it becomes fewer.
A structure with two occupants, sometimes one, rarely three. Break the walls, eat the borders, then throw away me. What am I?
Think about something you might find on a table, and consider the words "borders" and "walls" more literally...
A peanut.
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...
The vowels A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y.
What is the highest public building in your city?
Think about the word "public" very carefully...
The library has the most stories.
Roman numeral IX is equal to 9. How can you transform IX into six by adding one line?
Think about how you can visually alter the Roman numeral IX to make it resemble a different number...
Add an "S" before IX and you have SIX.
What can bring back the dead; make us cry, make us laugh, make us young; born in an instant yet lasts a lifetime?
"Think about a moment in time that can evoke strong emotions and have a lasting impact..."
Memories.
Imagine Johnny, a party clown, is carrying three pieces of gold each piece weighing one kilogram. While taking a walk he comes to a bridge that has a sign posted saying the bridge could hold only a maximum of 80 kilograms. John weighs 78 kilograms and the gold weighs three kilograms. Johnny reads the sign and still safely crossed the bridge with all the gold. How did he manage this?
Think about the state of Johnny when he's not carrying the gold...
Johnny is a clown so he has mastered juggling. When he came to the bridge he juggled the gold, always keeping one piece in the air.
I can run but cannot walk, everywhere you go I am already there. What am I?
Think about something that is always present in every location, and its "movement" is more of a flow or a pace rather than a physical step.
Your nose.
Sally Johnson called 911 when she first noticed Theodore was missing, but the operator told her there was nothing the police could do until Theodore was missing for at least 24 hours. The 911 operator told Miss Johnson that Theodore would probably be found because, based on the description Sally had given of Theodore, the operator felt Theodore was not the type to run away from home. However, Miss Johnson wasn't willing to wait that long, so she sent her German shepherd dog out to look for him, after she had first let the dog have a sniff of the tiny sweater she had dressed Theodore in earlier that day. However, when the dog returned without Theodore, Sally considered calling the F.B.I., as she started thinking little Theodore might have been kidnapped. No ransom note or telephone call was received by Miss Johnson that day, however, so Sally began to systematically search her house. After frantically searching, Miss Johnson finally found Theodore in her basement --- in the washing machine --- still wet, after apparently having gone through a complete washing cycle! Why was the 911 operator so cavalier about the missing Theodore? Should D.C.F.S. be notified to investigate? Where was the adult supervision; or is there a simpler explanation for these events?
Here's a hint: Think about the description of Theodore that Sally gave to the 911 operator...
Miss Sally Johnson was a seven-year-old child who watched a lot of T.V (especially police and detective shows), and had a vivid imagination. When she lost her teddy bear (Theodore), she never considered the possibility her mother had put him in the washing machine for a much-needed cleaning, as it had become soiled from Sally’s frequent use.
Round as a button, Deep as a well. If you want me to talk, You must first pull my tail. What am I?
Think about an object you might find in a public place, often used for communication, and its shape and functionality might give you a clue...
A bell.
What house has post on top, A roof at the bottom, While the rain comes from below?
Think about a place where people often write or send messages...
A boat.
Do you know anything that has four eyes?
Think about something you might find in a room, often on a table or desk...
Yes, Mississippi.
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.
My call, I pray, at dawn of day, Shall rest you from your slumber, With job all done, my song all sung, I'll sit on seat of lumber. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a bedroom, and the sounds it makes...
A Rooster.
A young girl, Violet by name, was visiting with a group of her schoolmates at a friend's house. The air was filled with the noise of loud conversations, when an older woman called out for silence. She then asked one of the girls in attendance to remove something from a black bag she was holding. The older woman then announced, "Violet, you have the honor of being first!" Violet was then ushered to the center of the room where the older woman pushed a body part of an animal into Violet's hand. Suddenly, everything went dark for the young girl. Violet began to feel dizzy, and felt someone's hands on her. She then felt a slight push. As Violet staggered forward in the darkness, the loud chanting and shouting increased around her. Finally, Violet's hand bumped into something which, when the darkness was gone, gave her a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. Was this scenario part of some bizarre, warped initiation into some strange cult, or is there a more pleasant explanation for these events.
The atmosphere seems ominous, but think about a common celebration where a group of young friends gather...
Violet was at a birthday party, and was selected to be first in the Pin the Tail on the Donkey game they were playing. She was successful in pinning the tail just where it belonged. The body part of the animal was, of course, the donkey’s tail.
Joel Jones Jr. has been told he must sit in his high chair for hours on end. His parents do not provide him with anything to eat or drink while he is sitting there, and he is told he must stay awake at all times while in his chair. He has also been instructed to immediately climb down from his high chair whenever he hears anyone screaming for help, and then get to the nearest water. Are these some kind of sick, twisted, abusive parents? Should D.C.F.S. be called, or is there some logical explanation for these bizarre instructions; and what possible occupation is being described?
Think about a profession that requires constant vigilance and quick response to emergencies, and where being near water is crucial...
Joel Jones Jr. works as a lifeguard at a public swimming pool.
I'm essential to most flight, But can't fly on my own. What am I?
"Look to the wings, but not the bird itself..."
Feathers.
Two women sit staring and glaring at each other across a small table. Although the two women don't appear to be friendly toward each other, they do eventually hold each other's hands. A man approaches, puts his hand on top of theirs, and says to them, "I hope I don't have to use the strap on you two." A few seconds later he quickly removes his hand, and shouts out one word to the women. Both women immediately become very tense. What is the word the man shouts to the women, and what in the world is going on here?
Think about a situation where two people might be in a tense, competitive relationship, and a third person is overseeing their interaction...
The word the man shouts to the women is, "Go!" This is the way most women's arm wrestling competitions start, and hopefully the wrist straps, to keep their hands from slipping apart, won't have to be used.
A young woman enjoys riding around on a large machine which has huge tires on the back and smaller tires on the front. She rarely carries any passengers. At times, she takes her machine on the highway, but she prefers to drive off-road to accomplish her missions. Her machine is not built for speed, as she can only reach a top speed of 25 mph. The strange thing about this woman is her hatred of grass --- she allows only a small patch of grass to exist on her property. To accomplish this, the young woman loves to use her large machine to tear up the ground on her property, until only a small portion of grass remains around her home. What is this woman's occupation, and what is the machine she uses in her profession?
Think about a profession that involves working on land, removing unwanted growth, and having a specific goal in mind for the terrain...
The young woman is a farmer, and the machine she uses is a tractor.
Dorothy is not a violent person, yet she carries a hard, round object in her purse which she occasionally throws at people. She thinks others find her actions amusing, and they do for the most part; but many people flinch when she does throw the object directly toward them. The danger is minimal however, as the object returns to her, most of the time, and she never throws the object with the intention of harming anyone. Dorothy considers herself to be an entertainer of sorts, using the round object and some string to amuse anyone willing to watch her. She uses the object to perform some amazing, gravity-defying stunts. Dorothy says she got the idea for this attention-grabbing activity while working part time as a dog walker. Is Dorothy a menace to society who should be reported to the authorities, or is she just providing a little innocent fun for those who watch her? Just what is the hard, round object Dorothy carries in her purse?
Think "leisure activity" and "skillful manipulation"...
Dorothy carries a yo-yo in her purse, and puts on a dazzling display of various tricks for onlookers. She even performs classic yo-yo moves such as the famous walk-the-dog maneuver.
Four men sat down to play, They played all night till the break of day. They played for gold and not for fun, With separate scores for every one. When they had come to square accounts, They all had made quite fair amounts. Can you the paradox explain, If no one lost, how all could gain?
Think about a game where the outcome is not necessarily a win or a loss, but rather a measure of individual performance...
The men were musicians..
What comes once in a year, twice in a month, thrice in a week, and 4 times in a day?
Think about the abbreviations of time periods...
The letter 'R'.Once in YEAR. Twice in the month: FEBRUARY. Three times in the days of a week: SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY Four times in the times of a day: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, ELEVEN, and TWELVE (X2 for AM & PM).
You need me to see me, I can be quite pretty; I come in different shades, But no shapes or sizes; What am I?
Think about something that is often admired for its beauty, and its appearance can vary greatly, but its form remains consistent...
An eye.
Monica took part in a furiously competitive race, which she won due to her speed and agility. Despite this, she was not allowed to collect the winning trophy. Why?
Think about the type of "race" where speed and agility are important, but a human wouldn't be able to collect a trophy...
Monica is the name of the horse that won the race.
It's Thanksgiving, and your mom has enlisted your help in making dessert. She has settled on pie, so the two of you get to work. You turn your back for one second before realizing a pie is missing from the lineup. There were 2 apples, 1 cherry, 1 pumpkin, and 1 blueberry. Unfortunately, the blueberry one is missing. You decide to go question your siblings and find out who knows something. They all claimed to be in their rooms at the time of the baking. You: Okay, who took it? We had 5 pies ready for the feast when everyone gets here and now we're down to 4. Do any of you know where the missing pie went? Wendy: What?! You're accusing me? I bet you ate it. You probably couldn't resist and are trying to frame us again! Damien: I don't know, check in Wally's room? You know how much he likes blueberry and apple pie, right? Tess: I'm allergic to blueberry, you know that! Mom had to warn me so I wouldn't eat it when the time came! Wally: Come on, I may like pie, but do you really think I would sneak behind Mommy's back and eat it? It's pretty clear to you who ate the pie. You tell your mom what they said and she gathered them all into the living room. "Okay," she said to you, "on the count of three, point to who you think did it. I'll do it too. One - two - three!" You and your mom point to the same person... who did you point to?
Pay close attention to the alibis and the clues hidden in their statements, especially the ones that seem too defensive or try to shift the focus away from themselves.
Damien. You may think it's Tess, but she would know about the flavor because your mom told her. But how would Damien know about it?
Three men, three women, and six young children are all seated around a table, staring at a dead body. This is neither a wake nor a funeral, and no one at the table appears to be distressed or sad. In fact, everyone appears to be smiling. The oldest of the three men, an elderly man with a grizzled, white beard, stands up and instructs everyone at the table to lower their heads, as he proceeds to say a few words over the deceased. The old man then says one final word, picks up a long, sharp knife, and plunges it into the corpse on the table --- much to the delight of the onlookers! Will the evils of this world never cease?! Must children be forced to watch these types of twisted, warped proceedings; or are these events less horrid than they appear? What is the one final word said by the old man with the white beard, and just what exactly is going on here?
"Think about a special occasion where people gather around a table, and a ritual is performed with a specific object..."
The family members are all sitting around a table waiting for the man with the white beard to say his prayer of thanks for all of God’s blessings to them. The last word of his prayer is, “Amen”, after which, he proceeds to carve the Thanksgiving turkey, which is the dead body laying on the table.
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 your head or in a bird's nest, and can produce different sensations and sounds.
They are feathers.
Face with a tree, skin like the sea. A great beast I am, yet vermin frightens me. What am I?
Think about an animal that has a "face" with a distinctive feature resembling a tree, and its skin is often associated with the sea. The contradiction between being a "great beast" and being frightened by small creatures is a key to solving the riddle.
An Elephant.
A horse jumps over a tower and the tower disappears. It's not an illusion or a dream. So where could this happen?
Think about a common, everyday scenario where a horse might be jumping over something, and the "tower" is not a physical structure...
On a chessboard.
Ralph is a very controlling person who totally dominates his partner, Sam. When Sam is in Ralph's presence, Sam is never allowed to speak, eat, or drink anything without Ralph's permission. Perhaps this is because Ralph is 6 feet six inches tall, and Sam, being less than 5 feet tall, is intimidated by Ralph's stature. Whatever the cause, most people hearing these facts would think this situation is nearly criminal; but not Sam. In fact, there are certain times when Ralph gives him permission, that Sam speaks some very sarcastic words right to Ralph's face, and sometimes even verbally abuses Ralph. In retaliation, Ralph once again silences Sam, deciding when and if Sam should ever be allowed to speak. Ralph, when in the presence of others with Sam, appears to put on a good front by putting his hand on Sam's back, hoping to show his friendship and concern for Sam. Why hasn't anyone called DCFS on behalf of poor Sam --- and what about Sam's right to free speech; or are things not quite what they appear to be? Just what is going on here?
Think about a situation where someone's "permission" is necessary for another person to "speak, eat, or drink" - but it's not about abuse or control. Consider a context where Ralph's "stature" is relevant, but not just because of his height.
Ralph is a ventriloquist, and Sam is his dummy.
The fight is almost coming to an end after a five minute battle. Team one lost all of the members, except for leader Joe who carries a big hammer, which is very dangerous and strong. Team two had two remaining people with no leader but one person who uses a bat and one person that uses an axe. Team two tried cornering Leader Joe, who then surrendered. Despite the fact that leader Joe had a bigger and much more dangerous weapon than the two on the other team, why did he surrender?
Hint: Think about the context of the "five-minute battle" and the type of competition where teams with leaders and various weapons might be involved.
It was a checkmate!
Dorothy attended her family reunion last summer, but she reported an odd incident during the festivities. She was watching a group of adults and a group of children competing against one another in a race of about 30 yards. Dorothy was surprised to see a child win the race, but Dorothy also noted she was unable to see any of the participant's legs during the race. Dorothy has excellent vision, and her mental faculties are intact, but neither she nor any of the other spectators were able to see any sign of the racer's legs during the brief competition. Since none of the racers were amputees, and Dorothy wasn't imagining things, what do you suppose was the cause of her inability to see any of the racer’s legs during the race?
Think about the environment where the family reunion typically takes place...
The adults and children were participating in a sack race at the family reunion.
Once upon a time, in a temple, there were three deities: Truth, Lie, and Wisdom. The Truth Deity always told the truth. The Lie Deity always told the lie. The Wisdom Deity sometimes told the truth, sometimes told the lie. Unfortunately, those three deities looked exactly the same, so no one could distinguish them. One day, a sage came by and he differentiated them by the following trick: He asked the deity sitting on the left: "Who is the middle deity?"- "Truth", said the deity. He asked the deity sitting in the middle: "Who are you?"- "Wisdom", replied the deity. He asked the deity sitting on the right: "Who is the middle deities?"- "Lie", the deity answered. How could the sage distinguish the three deities?
Think about what each deity would say about the middle deity, considering their nature: Truth would tell the truth, Lie would lie, and Wisdom would give a mixed answer...
The left deity is Wisdom; the middle one is Lie, and the right one is Truth. Explain: The left deity (L) said that the middle one (M) is Truth; therefore, L cannot be Truth (because there cannot be two Truth Deities!). M said he was Wisdom; therefore, he cannot be Truth. Thus, R is Truth. According to him, M is Lie and as a result, L is Wisdom.
What is dark but made by light?
Think about the intersection of two opposing forces in nature...
A shadow. A shadow is a dark area or shape produced by an object coming between rays of light and a surface.
A group of boys and girls are out after dark, stalking people in their homes in a Chicago neighborhood. The intimidation starts with the bravest of the youths ringing the bell or knocking at the door. When the homeowner answers the door, the children, in unison, begin to verbally threaten that person with a three-word threat, which often results in their demands being met. All of the boys and girls have chosen to disguise themselves so they can't be identified. It is hard to believe, but there are even a few adults who are walking along with the group, who actually encourage this brash behavior. Do these adults have no shame? Are these boys and girls being trained to be the criminals of the future? What exactly is going on here, and what is the three-word threat this group of ruffians use to intimidate people in their neighborhood?
Think "Halloween"
It is Halloween night, and this group of boys and girls, accompanied by a few adults, are out in their neighborhood seeking candy and other goodies. The three-word threat they used at each house: “Trick or treat.”
You draw a line. Without touching it, how do you make the line longer?
Think about the context in which you're drawing the line...
You draw a shorter line next to it, and then it becomes the longer line.
"May Day! May Day! May Day! May Day!" shouted an angry wife to her cringing husband. "This is my official warning for you to remove that dead plant from this house before the stroke of midnight tonight!" "But it holds a lot of sweet memories from last year for me," responded her husband. His wife fired back with, "Today is the first of May, and you should have removed your precious plant from the premises months ago. Besides, it is both dead and brown and is now as sharp as a cactus, and to top it off, it has become a genuine fire hazard." Her husband sheepishly answered her by saying,” Well, I was hoping to set a Guinness world record for the family; but if I must dispose of it, the least you can do is help me remove all the shiny stuff from it first. What kind of a plant do you suppose this was which could create such a strange-sounding argument between this husband and wife?
Hint: Think about a type of plant that is often associated with a specific holiday or celebration, and consider what "shiny stuff" might be attached to it.
The husband was having trouble parting with his beloved Christmas tree which was still standing in all of its tinseled glory in their living room, since it was erected in December of the previous year.
A bottle costs a dollar more than a cork. Together they cost 110 cents. How much does the bottle cost and how much does the cork cost?
Think about it in terms of simple algebra: let the cost of the cork be x, then the cost of the bottle is x + 1, and together they cost x + (x + 1) = 110 cents...
The right answer is that the bottle costs 105 cents, and the cork costs 5 cents.
A group of men is suddenly awakened by a loud, piercing, continuous sound. They all scramble out of their beds, get dressed, grab a pole, and disappear into a hole. What in the world are these men doing?
Think about a profession that requires a specific type of "pole" and a "hole" that's not just a physical cavity...
The men are firemen who were on night-shift duty at their firehouse. When they heard the fire alarm, they got dressed, slid down the fire pole, and got in the fire truck.
Little William Dilly, a five-year-old kindergarten student, approached his mother after school one day and related the following story: "Today in school I saw a man-eating lion! Then I saw a man-eating tiger! Then I saw a man-eating panther!" "That’s nice," his mother replied, only half listening to him. William continued; "And then I saw a man-eating camel and a man-eating zebra, and a man-eating sheep!" This caught his mother’s attention. "Did your class go to the zoo today? I sent no permission slip; or is your wild imagination exposing itself again --- because there are no camels, zebras, or sheep that eat people," his mother replied. "Honest, mom! I really did see everything I just told you!" Indeed, young William had seen everything he had reported to his mother. How could it be possible for William to have actually seen all he claimed to see?
Think about a place where you would typically find pictures or representations of these animals, rather than the animals themselves.
Little William’s kindergarten teacher was a man who enjoyed having fun with his students. At lunchtime that day, he took out a box of animal crackers, and holding up one animal at a time he would announce to the class, “You are now seeing a man eating lion, or a man eating sheep,” etc., and then proceed to eat each cracker, much to the children’s amusement. Little William was just reporting what he had seen his teacher doing and saying that day.
I came to prominence in the world during a time of trouble. I brought people together but helped keep them apart. I sound like I should go fast, but I am well known for taking too long to finish. What am I?
Think about something that emerged during a period of conflict or crisis, and its purpose was to facilitate communication and unity, yet also maintain distance and separation. The hint is in the name, which is ironic, as it implies speed, but in reality, it's notorious for being slow.
A Zoom meeting.
If someone says to you, "I'll bet you $1 that if you give me $2, I will give you $3 in return", would this be a good bet for you to accept?
Think about what's being offered versus what you're being asked to give... Is it really a fair trade?
No. This is a situation where you lose even if you win. Assuming the other person is being wise, they would take your $2 and say, "I lose", and give you $1 in return. You win the bet, but you're out $1.
I build up castles. I tear down mountains. I make some men blind, I help others to see. What am I?
Think about something that can be used to create grand structures, but also has the power to destroy natural landscapes. It's something that can be both creative and destructive, and has a profound impact on human perception...
Sand.
When it's gone bad and flat I hate it but when it's fresh and fizzy I love to taste it. What is it?
Think about something you might find in a fridge or a vending machine, and how your feelings towards it can change depending on its condition...
Soda.
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.
Uncle John, as he likes to be called, can't do the Twist like Chubby Checker did in the 1960s, but he loves to twist just the same. To be open and honest with you all, Uncle John earns his living through twisted ways. He especially enjoys exhibiting his twisted talents in front of young children. To gain their attention, he frequently gives gifts to these little boys and girls --- gifts including bicycles, flowers, and even small animals. He is often out of breath after exhibiting his twisted lifestyle to others. You might think the parents of these children would be repulsed by Uncle John, but instead, they often simply stand by, sometimes even applauding and encouraging this man!!! How can adults be so calloused as to allow this man to gain this type of control over their own children? What exactly is going on here?
Think about a common profession that involves working with children, and a specific activity that involves "twisting" in a non-literal sense...
Uncle John is a balloon twister who makes a living performing at children’s birthday parties. He can make almost anything out of balloons which he gives to the children; including bicycles, flowers, and small balloon animals. It’s also the reason he is often out of breath during his performances, as he has to blow up each balloon before he can twist them into the shape he wants.
A woman was horrified to find a fly in her tea. The waiter took her cup and went into the kitchen and returned with a fresh cup of tea. She shouted, "You brought me the same tea!" How did she know?
The hint is: Look closely at what the waiter took away...
She had already put sugar in it and when she tasted the new tea it was already sweet.
This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down. What am I?
"Think about something that affects everything, from the smallest living things to the strongest structures, and is often associated with the passage of time..."
Time!
Whether the weather is hot or cold, I will take you wherever you need to go. The direction you take will determine the place. There may be the most difficult roads, but they often lead to the most beautiful destinations. What am I?
Think about something you use to navigate, and the word "direction" has a double meaning here...
A journey.
A husband and wife are seated facing each other with a barrier between them. Each one takes turns communicating with the other, each speaking only two words at a time. After each two-word message is conveyed, the other person answers with a one-word response. This goes on for some time, until at last, either the husband or his wife suddenly shouts out a four-word phrase which ends this scenario; however, this often causes either the husband or the wife to become angry or frustrated with the person who shouted the four-word phrase. What is going on here?
Think about a common, everyday activity that couples often do together, but can sometimes lead to disagreements or frustration...
The husband and wife are playing the old game of BATTLESHIP. The two-word communications consist of a letter and a number for the coordinates of where the ships are hidden, and the one-word responses are either, "Hit" or "Miss". The final four word phrase which ends the game is, "You Sank My Battleship!"
Bouncing Bob was riding a particularly frisky horse when suddenly its bridle came off. As they raced down the road, a screaming Bob clung to the horse's ears for dear life. Out of the corner of his eye, Bob saw a car coming, and realizing the horse was completely out of control, he panicked. Flailing his arms about, he accidentally caused the horse to come to an abrupt halt. What could Bouncing Bob have done to make the horse stop?
Think about what Bob did with his arms that might have affected the horse's ears...
Bob accidentally put his hands over the horse's eyes. If a horse can't see he will automatically stop.
How can you make a needle float?
Think about a common, everyday situation where a needle is already "floating" in a sense...
Take a thin piece of tissue paper and place the tissue paper under the needle before putting the needle in the water. The tissue paper will eventually sink and the needle will remain floating.
Jim and Joey were on vacation and driving along a deserted country road from the town of Kaysville to the town of Lynnville. They came to multiple forks in the road. The signpost had been knocked down and they were faced with choosing one of five different directions. Since they had left their map at the last gas station and there was no one around to ask, how could Jim and Joey find their way to Lynnville?
Think about what you can do at each fork in the road, and how you can use the process of elimination to your advantage.
They need to stand the signpost up so that the arm reading Kaysville points in the direction of Kaysville, the town they had just come from. With one arm pointing the correct way, the other arms will also point in the right direction.
The distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 100 million miles. The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second, and light takes eight minutes to reach the Earth from the Sun. Let's say the Sun rose at 6am this morning, and that by some freak of physics the speed of light is suddenly doubled to 372,000 miles a second. What time will the Sun rise tomorrow?
Think about what affects the sunrise time, and what doesn't...
6am again. After all, what diffrence does the speed of light make to the answer? It's irrelevant- only the speed of the roation of the Earth matters here.
As small as your thumb, I am light in the air. You may hear me before you see me, but trust that I'm here. What am I?
Listen carefully, for the answer is often silent until it's near...
A hummingbird
Even if you don't love me, you probably like me a little bit. Your friends probably feel the same way about me, but I might still drive them away if we spend too much time together. I know I've made you cry, but I never meant to hurt you. Anyway, it should be me who cries. You know how thin-skinned I am. Who am I?
Think about something that's often present in people's lives, but can be overwhelming or irritating if there's too much of it...
An onion.
What 7-letter word has all 5 vowels and a q in it?
The answer is a type of fruit, and it's often yellow when it's ripe.
Sequoia.
Kimberly's mother has seven grandchildren. The first six grandkids are named Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday respectively. What is the name of the seventh grandchild.
Think about who is telling you the story...
The seventh grandchild's name isn't "Sunday"; it's "What", because "What is the name of the seventh grandchild." is a statement, not a question.
A man took a walk in the park. While on his walk, he came across a stray dog who began growling at him and nipped at his heels. The man pulled a crooked stick from his knapsack, told the dog to, "Fetch!", and then threw the stick. The dog made a mad dash for the stick, then suddenly made a u-turn and ran back to the man ----- without the stick. The man laughed loudly. He then said to the dog, "Let's try this again." Throwing the same stick, the man again yelled, "Fetch!", and the dog took off as before, suddenly made a u-turn, and ran back to the man ----- again without having obtained the stick. The man laughed louder. This same series of events happened over, and over, and over again until the dog finally ----- bit the man on the leg. What was going on here that so infuriated the dog to cause him to bite the man?
Here's a hint: Think about the word "crooked" in the story, and how it might be more than just a physical description of the stick.
The man had tormented the dog in the park in the past by telling the dog to fetch the crooked stick (wooden boomerang) he carried with him in his knapsack. The dog could never catch the boomerang, which always returned to the man after he threw it, thus frustrating the dog who only wanted to play. What goes around comes around, as they say, with boomerangs and in life.
Inspector Bradstreet, a highly respected police detective with 25 years of investigative experience on the force, was in a room with four homicide suspects: Joan, Shirley, Dorothy, and Irene. He was in the room with the four of them for at least 15 minutes, but for some reason, he had not started interrogating the suspects, despite the fact that a dead body, which had a knife sticking out of its back, lay on the floor in the room with them. One of the four suspects had called 911 to summon the police at some point. Why hadn't this highly decorated and respected detective started his investigation into the obvious murder by questioning the four suspects? For what reason was he waiting?
Think about the circumstances under which the police were summoned...
Inspector Bradstreet was dead. It was his body that had the knife stuck in it.
One evening, Sabrina was walking in the park when she found her friend Steven, as well as his bike, on the ground. Sabrina helped the guy up, and she asked him what had happened; Steven said, "I was riding my bike when someone threw a stone at me. I lost control of my bike and fell,". Sabrina decides to question three other people who were in the park at the time. Camilla said that she was having her morning run and didn't see anything. Adam said that he was sitting on a nearby bench, reading a book. And Oliver said that he was having a barbecue with his friends; they could confirm this. Who is lying?
Hint: Pay attention to the time of day mentioned in the story...
Camilla couldn't have her MORNING run because it was EVENING. Therefore, she is lying.
Brent was in a seven-story building when a massive fire started. The guy jumped out of the window, but didn't even bruise himself! How is it possible?
The hint is: Think about the situation before the fire started...
Brent was on the first floor, and jumped out of the first floor window. After all, even though it's a seven story building, I didn't say he was on the seventh floor!
What happened when the painter threw his painting at the old man?
Think about the multiple meanings of "painting" and how the painter's action might affect the old man...
He had an art attack.
What is large, yet never grows; has roots that cannot be seen; and is taller than trees?
Think about something that can be found in the landscape, but isn't a living thing...
A mountain.
On a certain planet located in one of the outer spiral arms of the Milky Way Galaxy, three life forms are seeking to capture other life forms and incarcerate them in glass prisons. The authorities on this planet have allowed such imprisonments for hundreds of years, despite the fact many of the captured life forms often die within 24 hours of their confinement, either by being accidentally crushed to death or by suffocation, as some of the prison cells do not have proper ventilation to supply needed oxygen to the prisoners. On this planet, hunting for these living creatures takes place after dark. The three hunters mentioned above do not follow any tracks to find their quarry, but instead, rely on these creatures to expose themselves, which they do by emitting short bursts of light. If it wasn't for the Prime Directive, I'm certain Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, or the Federation of Planets would have put an end to this barbaric practice of hunting and imprisoning these life forms long ago. By the way, what form of life were the three hoping to capture?
Think small, think bioluminescent, and think of a common household item...
The three youngsters were hunting lightning bugs.
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.
I'm alive and I die. When cut, I bleed I do not fear the seasons. I make my home above yet below the land. I'm a friend to man and beastie, yet hunted by both. My bones are always within sight. What am I?
Think about something that's found in nature, has a life cycle, and is often associated with both life and death...
A Tree.
A group of about 50 people are anxiously watching a very animated gentleman who stands before them. The man speaks loudly and very rapidly to the group. He is standing behind an elevated table, and waves a wooden object while frequently repeating himself. The man continues to spew forth his manic repetitions while frequently pointing at individual members of the audience, until finally, he shouts out one word, while pointing directly at a specific member of the group --- sometimes even describing their appearance or the clothes they are wearing. After shouting the word, the man instantly becomes less agitated --- but soon, his manic mood returns to sweep over him. Is this man presently experiencing symptoms of manic-depressive illness with symptoms of rapid, pressured speech, or is there some less extreme reason for his behavior? If so, what exactly is going on here, and what is the one word he shouts which calms him?
Think back to a familiar scene, often found in a specific setting, where someone is enthusiastically addressing a crowd, using a particular object to emphasize their points...
The man is an auctioneer trying to get the highest bid for the objects he is selling. The wooden object he waves about is his auctioneer’s hammer. The one word he shouts which calms him for a short time is, “Sold!”
Dorothy has never expressed suicidal thoughts, but whenever she experiences feelings of sadness or depression, she makes arrangements to travel to a very high spot that she has visited on numerous occasions. Once there, she proceeds to jump from that great height. The fascinating fact though is she has never been injured from this leap, and in fact, she tells everyone that she feels much better afterward. If she’s not suicidal, then what is going on here, and why has she never been injured, or even worse, died from her risky actions?
Think about a common activity people do at high spots, and how it might relate to Dorothy's feelings of sadness and depression...
There are several possible solutions to this brain teaser. Either Dorothy is a parachutist, or a ski jumper, or a hang glider enthusiast. There may be other possible solutions.
Marge and Lucille were best of friends, but both of them were highly competitive. One day they entered a grueling 50-mile bicycle race along with a large group of other contestants. Lucille was the more experienced of the two riders, but throughout the race, Marge was always out in front of her. Not once did she allow Lucille to pass her, but Lucille's fiery, competitive spirit would not be quenched, as she never let Marge out of her sight for even one instant. Even after 50 long miles, Marge and Lucille were only separated by a couple of feet, with Marge finally passing the finish line less than one second ahead of Lucille. Neither racer won, but they both finished in the top ten of all the competitors. After the race, Lucille was asked about her competing with her friend Marge. All Lucille would say was, "I couldn't have passed her, even if I had wanted to. In fact, it was impossible." What led Lucille to make such a bizarre statement?"
Think about the physical positioning of Marge and Lucille throughout the race...
Marge and Lucille had been participating in a tandem bicycle race (bicycles built for two people).
A businesswoman named Coraline was at her place of work when a young man entered. "You look like a Clark to me," said Coraline in greeting him. The man responded, "You are exactly right," and he exchanged something with her and then left. A second man entered and said, "I'm really hungry, and am looking for the nearest fast-food place." "I suggest you take 5th Avenue," answered Coraline. He then exchanged something with her and left. A rather heavy-set woman then came through the door and Coraline said, "You are definitely a chunky person!" Seemingly unaffected by the comment, the woman said, "I certainly have to agree with you," and she then exchanged something with Coraline and then departed. A policewoman then entered and said in a serious voice, "I received a tip that one of the Peanuts gang was hiding in here, and I came to take her in. "She is here," replied Coraline, and she turned her over to the officer in exchange for something. Finally, a shady-looking character came slinking in, carrying a black briefcase. "Why are you here?" asked Coraline. "It's not payday again, is it?" "You got it, Sweetie!" he replied, and he exchanged something with her and then left. What in the world was going on here, and what kind of business was Coraline operating?
Here's a hint: Think about the names and phrases used in the conversations, and how they might relate to a specific type of business or product that Coraline is dealing with. Pay attention to the words and phrases that seem out of place or unusual in a normal conversation.
Coraline was the owner and operator of a candy shop. Most of her customers were repeat customers, and she was very familiar with their specific requests before they ever stated them. In order of their entry into her store, she offered them: A Clark bar, a 5th Avenue candy bar, a Chunky square, a Peppermint Patty, and a Payday bar. Each customer simply paid for their selection and left with their favorite candy.
Two of me become one, a union so true. I am transparent and pure, a liquid so clear. Quenching thirst, a gift without fear. What am I?
Think about something that combines two parts to form a single, cohesive whole, and is often associated with clarity and refreshment...
A water drop.
Mrs. Fortini has been married for 10 years. For her 10th wedding anniversary, she got a pair of beautiful diamond earrings. Mrs. Fortini also has two daughters–Beatrice and Ivy–who always touch her stuff. One day, Mrs. Fortini was going to put on the earrings, when she found out that they had been stolen. She concluded that it must have been one of her daughters, so she asked them, "I've told you two so many times to not take my things! Who took my jewelry this time?". Beatrice said, "I never touch your jewelry box!". Ivy also denied taking her mom's stuff; "I don't wear earrings!", she said. Who stole the earrings?
Think about what each daughter said, and how it might relate to their actions...
It was Ivy who stole the earrings. Her mother didn't specify which piece of jewelry was missing.
Chelsea works in a department store. One day, a mute woman walks up to her. The woman puts her finger in one ear, and makes a circular motion with her fist near her other ear. Chelsea immediately understands that the woman wants a pencil sharpener. Next, a deaf man comes up to Chelsea. How can he explain to her that he wants a pair of scissors?
Think about the actions the mute woman took to convey her message, and how the deaf man might use a similar approach to convey his own request...
The man can just say it. He's DEAF, not mute; the guy can't hear, but it doesn't mean that he can't SPEAK.
A mother has 6 daughters. The 1st one was watching television, The 2nd was sleeping, The 3rd was at school, The 4th was playing chess, and The 5th was playing with her phone, what was the 6th daughter doing?
Think about the narrator's perspective...
Playing chess with the 4th daughter!
Marvin is a typical boy who attends a typical elementary school. However, Marvin is considered by some to be a bit eccentric. His teachers have noted he has a habit of carrying some unusual things in his pockets. Some of these items include: onion skins, some toothpaste, a lifeless bumblebee, a steel ball, pearls, some spaghetti, and a small turtle. The most bizarre item he carries in his pockets though, is far more disturbing --- a cat's eye!!! Why haven't the teachers reported this to the authorities? Where are the animal rights activists when you need them? Why hasn't the school psychologist been contacted so Marvin can receive a mental health evaluation? Of course, it is possible Marvin isn't such a strange little boy after all. What do you think? What's going on here?
Marvin's pockets are not as strange as they seem... Think about the context in which Marvin is carrying these items.
Marvin loves to play the old game of marbles. He always carries some in his pockets, some of which include: onion skins (marbles with a swirled and layered design that resemble an onion); toothpaste (marbles with the colors of red, white, blue, black, and orange inside), bumblebee (a yellow marble with two black stripes on the sides), a ball bearing made of steel called a steelie), pearls (marbles with a mother-of-pearl coating), spaghetti (marbles with entwined lines inside them), a turtle (a marble with green and yellow wavy steaks), and a cat’s eye (a marble which closely resembles the eye of a cat).
The following is one of those boy-gets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl romantic stories. This famous couple first met back in 1961 while doing a TV commercial together. The pair instantly became boyfriend and girlfriend and continued dating until Valentine's Day of 2004, when the girl finally broke off the relationship. Rumor had it at the time that the girl (now a grown woman) wanted to get married, but the boy (now a grown man) was afraid of commitment, even after dating the woman for 43 years. However, the man had some plastic surgery done two years later (reportedly to impress the woman), and the couple got back together in 2011. It is incredible to imagine, but since this duo first got together, the man has had 40 different occupations, while the woman has had at least 200 separate careers -- even running for President of the United States at one point! Who are these two lovebirds who have had such a lengthy and interesting relationship?
Think about iconic advertising characters that have been around for decades...
Barbie and Ken.
Dorothy and Irene are now model citizens, but in their younger days, when they were in elementary school, they were known as "The Two Lightning Bolts". It was the last day of fourth grade for these two classmates back in 1929, and the two had concocted an evil plot to get back at their fourth-grade teacher, who they did not like. At one point, when the teacher turned his back on them to face the blackboard, Dorothy and Irene each carefully removed loaded guns from their lunch boxes, aimed them at the teacher, and pulled the triggers. Fortunately, they were both poor shots, but they did manage to graze their teacher on his back and head with a few of their repeated shots. As the teacher tried to escape the classroom, he slipped and fell twice on Dorothy and Irene’s loose ammunition, but he managed to make it to the school office to report the shooting attack. However, "The Two Lightning Bolts" received only a two-week suspension, starting at the beginning of the following school year for their premeditated attack on the teacher. I always heard discipline was better and stronger in the past, but these two tried to shoot their teacher with loaded guns, and got off with only a two-week suspension! How can this travesty ok of justice possibly be explained?
Think about the phrase "loaded guns" in a different way...
Dorothy and Irene did indeed shoot their teacher while in fourth grade, but the attack was made with their squirt guns. The teacher slipped on the water which had missed him, and he subsequently slipped and fell on the floor during his attempted escape. The school went lightly on the two, because they knew the parents had additional punishments for “The Two Lightning Bolts”.
A young, meek woman travels to a foreign land but accidentally kills an older woman when she arrives there. The young woman is very surprised to hear only cheers and praise from the large group of witnesses to the older woman's death ------ in fact, the entire group honors and thanks her for the killing. But the story doesn't end there, as the young woman later teams up with three males who agree to assist her in attempting to murder the sister of the dead woman. Having developed a taste for blood, the young woman, with the help of her gang of three males, manages to murder the second sister, much to the delight of an oddly dressed battalion of soldiers. This young woman is never tried for either of the killings and eventually, she returns home. What kind of warped justice is this? Two killings ------ one a definite murder, and not even an indictment? What in the world is going on here?
Think about a game, not a real-life scenario. The "young woman" and the "older woman" might not be people at all...
Your questions will all be answered by watching the classic movie, "The Wizard of Oz".
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.
Clayton takes a shower every day.
Four friends– Sam, Evan, Rachel, and Olivia– go out for lunch one Saturday morning. The friends order their food, as well as a big pot of blackberry tea. Sam and Rachel decide to drink the tea, but Evan and Olivia do not; Evan takes a large cup of coffee, and Olivia takes lemonade. After drinking the tea, Sam and Rachel feel sick and pass out. When police officers and paramedics arrive, the officers question Evan and Olivia–why did they order different drinks? Evan says, "I took a large cup of coffee because I didn't sleep well last night, and I needed a lot of caffeine to help me stay awake and alert,". Olivia says, "I took lemonade because I am terribly allergic to raspberries. Even one bite gives me a severe rash!". Who poisoned the tea?
Think about the seemingly unrelated reasons Evan and Olivia gave for not drinking the tea... Are they really unrelated?
Olivia poisoned the tea. She said she was allergic to raspberries, but the tea the friends ordered contained blackberries, not raspberries. Olivia lied about her allergy to have an alibi.
Mrs. Tatum assigned a massive summer assignment to her students–they each had to learn a new language. It could be any language they wanted to learn, though. After the summer break, Mrs. Tatum asked her students what languages they had been learning, and how it had been going. Christopher said, "I enjoy learning Mandarin!". Anthony said, "I've been learning Brazilian; it was really difficult but interesting!". Gianna said, "I chose to learn German because my ancestors are from Germany!". Mrs. Tatum did not believe one of her students. Who is lying?
Hint: Pay attention to the language names and their corresponding countries.
Anthony is lying. He couldn't be learning Brazilian because this "language" doesn't exist; people speak Portuguese in Brazil.
Spencer wakes up in the middle of a forest. A few seconds later, a witch and three magic tunnels–a red, a yellow, and a blue–appear in front of the guy. The witch tells Spencer, "Two of these tunnels will make you disappear forever, and the other one will send you back to your house. Listen to these clues VERY carefully,". Clue 1: Choose the red tunnel, and you won't not disappear. Clue 2: It's a lie to say that the yellow tunnel isn't dissimilar. Clue 3: The blue tunnel doesn't have less in common with the red than with the yellow. Which tunnel should Spencer choose?
Think about the clues as statements about the tunnels, and consider what would be true if a tunnel led to Spencer's house versus if it made him disappear forever. Pay close attention to the use of double negatives and words like "dissimilar" to help you decipher the witch's tricky clues.
Spencer should choose the yellow tunnel. If he chooses the red tunnel, he will not NOT disappear; in other words, Spencer WILL disappear if he enters the red tunnel. We can therefore exclude the red tunnel. If he chooses the blue tunnel, he will also disappear; this is because the blue tunnel doesn't have less in common with red than yellow. In other words, the blue tunnel has more in common with red than yellow, so the blue tunnel will also make Spencer disappear. Choosing the yellow tunnel is the safest option because if it's a lie to say that yellow isn't dissimilar, the truth is that yellow IS different from the red and blue tunnels.
Mrs. Harris went to the police station to file a report. She said that someone had attacked her. Here is her story: "I was in the restaurant bathroom, fixing my makeup. Suddenly, a stranger hit me on the head! I didn't see what this person looked like because he approached me from behind!". The police officer refused to file the report and sent Mrs. Harris home. Why?
Think about where Mrs. Harris was when she claimed to have been attacked...
If Mrs. Harris was fixing her makeup, she was most likely looking in the mirror (after all, she wouldn't want to ruin her makeup, right?). If someone had approached the woman from behind, she would have DEFINITELY seen what he or she looked like. Therefore, Mrs. Harris lied, and made up the whole story.
Leslie bought some ice cream on Friday. She kept all of the flavors a secret from her friends, although she wanted to enjoy it for dessert the next day. When Leslie woke up on Saturday, she didn't find the ice cream; someone had eaten it! The girl decided to ask her friends if they had eaten the ice cream. Geoff said that he was about to leave for work, and hadn't seen anything. Christian said that he was excited to try the new butterscotch ice cream on Saturday, albeit afraid that he was going to miss it. And Margot said that she didn't even know about the ice cream, but was also willing to try it. Who knows something?
Pay close attention to the alibis and what each friend says about the ice cream...
Christian couldn't be sure that there was a butterscotch taste among the ice cream flavors because Leslie kept all of the flavors in secret. Therefore, he knows something about the stolen ice cream.
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!
How can you put some water in a colander?
Think about the shape of a colander and what it's typically used for...
Freeze some water into ice, and put the ice into the colander. Ice is still water, just in its solid state.
Four friends went out one night. During the trip back, they tried to squeeze under an umbrella, but it was too small for them to fit through. Still, everyone managed to stay dry by the time they arrived home. How can this be?
Think about the time of day and the circumstances of their trip...
It wasn't raining. I didn't say that it was raining after all!
Ty has four frogs-Lily, Hoppy, Croaky, and Icky–and he needs you to identify their colors. One of the frogs is black and blue, while the other three and black and orange. Assuming that both of the following statements are true, can you guess which frog is black and blue? 1) Lily and Hoppy are of the same color. 2) Croaky isn't black and blue.
Pay attention to the statement "Lily and Hoppy are of the same color" and think about what it means if they are not black and blue...
Icky is black and blue. If Lily and Hoppy are of the same color, then both of them must be black and orange because only ONE of the frogs is black and blue. And if Croaky isn't black and blue, then he is black and orange. Therefore, Icky is the only black and blue frog among the four frogs.
I sleep with 2 legs and walk with 3. What am I?
Think about something you might find in a bedroom, and how it's used by people of different ages...
A man with a Cane.
Reuben, a renowned author, was found unconscious in his study on a Sunday morning. His agent, Kelly, called the police to report it. When the officers arrived, they questioned three suspects: Anna the nanny, Mike the cleaner, and Mark the driver. Anna said that she had driven Reuben's daughter to school. Mike said that he had a day off and spent it with his family. And Mark said that he had taken Reuben's car to the car wash. Who attacked Reuben?
Pay close attention to the alibis and the day of the week...
Anna the nanny is lying. Children don't go to school on Sundays.
Shane is a young and talented scientist who always works in his lab alone. One day, he's found unconscious in his lab. Police officers question three other scientists. Ian claimed to be Shane's lab assistant, insisting that he would never hurt his lab partner. Travis said that he was doing research on a separate project. And Patricia said that she was cleaning the lab. Who hurt Shane?
Pay close attention to the statements and think about what it means to be "alone" in the lab...
Shane always worked in his lab alone, and he never had any assistants. Therefore, Ian lied about being Shane's assistant.
A dagger thrust at my own heart, Dictates the way I'm swayed. Left I stand, and right I yield, To the twisting of the blade. What am I?
Think about something that is controlled by a balance or a pivot point, and can swing or turn in different directions...
A Lock.
An elderly, bearded man drives slowly around many different neighborhoods looking for young children. He often plays a little musical tune from his vehicle to draw these children in close to him. When the children approach, he speaks very sweetly to them, and usually will offer them sweet treats in exchange for something they carry with them. These treats are always wrapped, so no one can see what's inside. When he is done talking 1:1 with each child, he tells them he will be back very soon to visit them, and then he drives slowly off, hunting for more children. Has no one noticed this man creeping along in their neighborhood? Have the police not been alerted to check on this man's activities; or is there some less sinister explanation for these happenings? Just what is this man's occupation?
Think about a festive season and a jolly figure associated with it...
He works as an ice cream man, driving his truck to various neighborhoods and selling his cold treats.
Bruno, a former race car driver, decided to switch professions when he became 30 years old. One day, on his new job, he suddenly felt compelled to speed up his car to over 90 miles per hour on the highway. As he glanced at his rearview mirror, he saw two police cars with their lights flashing and sirens wailing, coming up behind him; but Bruno appeared unphased by this, and he increased his speed to over 100 m.p.h. The two police cars remained in hot pursuit when suddenly, Bruno heard a loud bang and realized he had blown a tire. He was very fortunate to be able to pull safely over to the side of the road. Bruno laid his head down on his steering wheel as the two police cars reached his location --- and then went whizzing past him down the highway. All Bruno could say was, "I hope they don't get away." Why didn’t the two police cars stop to arrest Bruno for speeding and running from the law, and what is Bruno's new profession?
Think about a job where speeding and reckless driving are not only allowed but also encouraged, and the police would be more interested in helping than arresting...
Bruno's new profession as he had become a police officer. He was in his police cruiser when he spotted a car that matched the description of one used by a couple of men who had just committed a robbery, and he began his high-speed pursuit. Two other police cars joined in the pursuit until Bruno’s car had a flat tire.
One day, as the famous magician and his assistant were rehearsing their act before a small group of newspaper reporters, the magician suddenly stopped speaking and appeared to go into a deep trance. His assistant wondered if she should call 911, as his entire body began to shake, but soon the shakiness diminished and he began to speak, relating the following vision he was seeing: "My house in the country is disappearing before my very eyes! My magical powers have grown too great, and now as punishment, the powers of darkness have engulfed my home and it is slowly vanishing ------ and has now disappeared completely." Suddenly, the magician's mystical trance ended, and he told his assistant and all of the reporters he had to leave immediately to see if any part of this bizarre vision had actually taken place. The curious reporters and his assistant all followed the magician to his home, and everyone was shocked to see the magician's residence had indeed vanished completely! The reporters immediately called in the fantastic story to their respective newspapers, as everyone stood around in absolute shock! How could this amazing disappearance possibly be explained?
The magician's "home in the country" is not what you think it is...
The magician had not even told his assistant about this publicity stunt he had planned, to be assured of absolute secrecy. The magician loved his small, old country home, but he didn't like its location; so he paid a great deal of money to a whole-house moving company to move his beloved house to a location he liked better. Of course, the famous magician was not about to let this publicity opportunity pass, especially when he learned a group of reporters were to be present at one of his rehearsals, so he arranged to have his entire home physically moved to its new location, two days before the planned rehearsal, knowing his next performance would be a complete sell-out when the reporters released their stories of the event. I guess it's like they say when it comes to real estate: It's always about, "Location, location, location."
As an April Fool's joke, a prankster, who works in an assisted living facility, created a flyer and distributed one to each room of the facility. Here is what the flyer announced: Attention!!! All residents!!! Several creatures have recently been spotted in hallways and day areas of this facility. The primary creature seen is reported to be warm-blooded, is between 60 and 72 inches in length, and has three legs and three feet. There have even been rarer sightings of several of these life forms having six legs and six feet. Anyone sighting either of these two creatures should immediately notify the receptionist for instructions. What do you suppose the living organisms were to which the prankster was referring in his April Fool's flyers?
Think about the residents of the assisted living facility and what they might commonly see in the hallways and day areas...
The "creatures" to which the prankster was referring, were the residents who used canes and walkers. Each cane acted as a resident's third leg, with a foot at the base of each cane. The rarer "creatures" were the residents using four-legged walkers with a foot at the bottom of each leg. These sums were added to each resident's physical two legs and two feet which accounted for the description of the "life forms" in the flyers.