The quiz you can’t cheat on by using the internet
As smartphones hit our ability to work out problems...
IT was only a few years ago that, when stumped by a problem, we would have to get out the encyclopedia or even phone a friend. Today every answer we could need is just a couple of Google clicks away.
New studies have suggested our reliance on the internet and smartphones could actually be dumbing us down as we are so used to getting a solution in a matter of seconds, we no longer have to work it out for ourselves.
One recent study, by the University of Texas in Austin, even discovered that our ability to process information improved when our phones were put in another room.
So when it comes to problem solving, are you guilty of just reaching for your phone or computer, or do you still prefer to work it out yourself ?
A new collection of lateralthinking puzzles are the ultimate way to put your brain to the test because you won’t be able to solve these tricky teasers online.
See how many you can figure out. Remember to think a little outside the box...
1 A man left home on Monday, riding a camel, to visit his mother in Marrakesh. The journey took two days. He stayed two days in Marrakesh.
The journey home took another two days. He arrived home on Friday. How?
2 “How much will one cost?” asked the customer in a hardware store.
“Twenty pence,” replied the clerk.
“And how much will 12 cost?”
“Forty pence.” “OK. I’ll take 112.” “Fine. That will be 60 pence.” What was the customer buying?
3 A train was leaving Republique Metro station heading to Creteil at the same time as a man with a bicycle. The man was unaware that the front tyre had a slow puncture, and by the time the bicycle arrived in Creteil the tyre was already completely flat.
Although the man did not change or have the tyre repaired, the bicycle reached Creteil at the same time as the Metro. How come?
4 John lives with his parents in a large flat in North London. One afternoon, while his parents were out, John was sitting on the sofa with Sophie, the neighbours’ daughter, watching television. When Sophie left to buy some cigarettes, two men burst into the flat and proceeded to take the television set, a tape recorder and a personal computer. John had never seen either of the men before, nor was there any legal reason for them to remove the equipment, yet he remained sitting on the sofa throughout without taking any action. Explain.
5 Eight-year-old Bobby, obviously lost, was running down Baker Street in London looking frantically left and right for John.
People looked at him but no one offered to help. Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks as he heard a familiar noise, although nobody else in the street seemed to hear it.
Immediately, he turned round and ran excitedly in the direction he had originally come from. Soon he was reunited with John. How could this happen?
6 At the end of the 10,000m race in the world championships, Jonathan Cansino was leading the field and looked certain to take the gold medal.
He was three metres from the finish when the runner from Nigeria passed him and crossed the line. Jonathan glanced across in horror but this quickly turned to jubilation and he threw his arms up in triumph.
What had happened?
7 Following the disappearance of a passenger, two airline stewardesses – upset as a result of the incident – began to quarrel.
One of them, very distraught, became so agitated that she totally lost control, opened the plane door and jumped out. She had no parachute but survived with only a sprained ankle. How?
8 In some states in America, a certain crime is punishable, and those who attempt it are usually charged.
However, any perpetrator who is successful is never prosecuted. What is the crime?
9 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 closed and the doors locked.
After a closer inspection, the only bullet holes were on the man’s body. How was he shot?
10 Widow Gertrude James had decided to get a parrot for company. She asked the pet store owner: “Does this parrot speak?”
The shopkeeper replied: “This parrot, madam, will repeat every word it hears, I can assure you.”
Gertrude promptly bought the parrot and took it home. Three months later, after trying almost constantly to get the parrot to speak, the bird had not uttered one word. Can you come up with an explanation, assuming the shopkeeper spoke the truth?
Taken from Puzzle Cards: Lateral Thinking Puzzles, Carlton Books (www. carltonbooks.co.uk), which is out this month.