Take your brain out of neutral and wrap your cranial synapses around these brain-teasers. See how many you can get correct. No cheating now, remember: we will catch you.
1.
Shadow was cruising along in his powerboat when he came to the Isle of Begile, a place where the natives always lie and the visitors always tell the truth. As Shadow drew near, he saw three men standing on shore. He shouted: “Are you natives or visitors?” The first man called out, but Shadow had not yet turned his motor off, so he couldn't hear the reply. Shadow shouted his question again and this time the second man answered saying, “He said he is a visitor and so am I.” Then the third man on the island shouted, “The first two are natives but I'm a visitor.” Shadow knew immediately who was a native and who was a visitor. From their answers, how could he know?
2.
Shadow surveyed the scene. Itzak Gusher, the famous oil tycoon was found shot to death while sitting in his car. Shadow was puzzled by the fact that he couldn't find a single trace of gunpowder anywhere in the car. This led Shadow to believe that Itzak had been murdered by someone outside the car. The strange part is all the windows and doors were completely closed and locked. The only bullet holes found were on Itzak's body. Since the car was not damaged, how did the assassin manage to kill him?
3.
Four men sat down to play. They played all night till break of day. They played for gold and not for fun. With separate scores for everyone. When they came to square accounts, they all had made quite fair amounts. Can you the paradox explain,
If no one lost, how could all gain?
4.
During World War II, several British naval spies on the lookout for enemy ships and activities posed as Canadian lobster fishermen. They had large numbers of plastic, orange coloured lobsters made for their covert operations. These lobsters came in various sizes with all the authentic markings. At night, the spies loaded the lobsters into traps and threw them overboard. At daybreak, they would hoist the traps aboard ship. The locals spotted them as fraudulent fishermen from quite a distance. How were they so easily detected?
5.
Barney Dribble left the Soul-Ace Hotel and walked toward the parking lot. Without the benefit of moonlight or any artificial light, he was able to spot his black car 100 metres away. How was this possible?
6.
Sid Shady was working for a large construction company that was very concerned about employee theft. Someone tipped company security that Shady was the man to watch. Each night, he passed through security with a wheelbarrow full of scrap lumber, discarded electrical wires, and chunks of concrete. The security guards checked the contents daily, but could find nothing of value. What was Shady stealing?
7.
The bridge was covered with a fresh blanket of snow. Only one set of footprints led to the body lying in the middle of the bridge. Shadow knew from the one set of footprints that this was a suicide, yet he couldn't find any evidence of the weapon used. Shadow discovered powder burns on the dead woman's chest and a small chip out of the railing where the snow had been brushed away. The dead woman's footprints were all around this area. The only other clue was that 30 feet down, and directly below the chip of paint on the railing, was a hole in the ice. How did the woman manage to kill herself instantly and still dispose of the weapon?
8.
It's a strange case, thought Shadow. The autopsy revealed that Dr. Probe had died from cyanide poisoning. The limp body was found lying beside the gas barbecue which was still hot. The autopsy also revealed that Dr Probe had just finished eating two hot dogs, a bag of potato chips and some cherries. After a thorough search of the area, the police recovered a suicide note, the pen Dr Probe used to write it, a book of matches, an old coin, an empty potato chip bag and a package of hot dogs and buns. Since nothing else was discovered, Shadow was certain that Dr. Probe was murdered elsewhere and his body moved to the suicide scene. Why?
9.
Sid Shady asked his wife to accompany him to a war movie being featured that night. During a scene when grenades were exploding and guns were firing, Shady decided the time was right; he pulled out a gun and shot his wife. He then took her out of the theatre without anyone trying to stop him. Why not?
10.
Shadow answered a burglary call at the home of his friend, Captain Frank. As Shadow was combing the house for clues, he opened the bedroom door and saw Mr. Frank, who had hanged herself. Just then Captain Frank came down the hall and told Shadow not to bother with the bedrooms since the burglars never entered them. Shadow closed the bedroom door and continued his investigation at the other end of the house. Why would Shadow not respond to what he saw?
11.
A man was found assassinated in his 51st Floor hotel room, which had been locked from within by the dead bolt. He was slouched in a chair in front of one of the windows in the room. The carpet below the window drapes was damp. The only sound in the room was the steady drone of the air conditioner. A bullet had entered the back of his head and was lodged in the base of his skull. It was determined he was shot and killed exactly where he sat, and that the bullet had been fired from well over 30 metres away. The man had been dead for several hours. Since the windows had been locked from within, and the glass unbroken, how was the assassination carried out?
12.
What would happen if an irresistible force (i.e. a cannonball that cannot be stopped by anything) met an immovable object (i.e. a wall that cannot be moved by anything)?
13.
Shadow received a tip that the “Holy Land” charter was about to be hijacked by one of the passengers on board. Shadow instructed airline security to delay the flight while he conducted his investigation. Since the passengers had already boarded, the airline decided to feed them lunch. Shadow read the passenger list and began his interviews. Among those questioned were two farmers from Ireland, a nun from New York, a minister from Canada, a Hindu Priest, two artists from Japan, and a Swedish businessman.
After several minutes of interviewing, Shadow approached the Stewardess and enquired about the lunch they were serving. “We're serving roast beef sandwiches, and it's a good thing we did,” she added. “Every passenger not only finished his lunch, but most asked for seconds.” After questioning the pilots, Shadow announced his suspect. Who was it?
