Introduction

Lateral thinking puzzles require creative problem-solving and encourage students to think outside the box. Below is a set of 20 verbal reasoning questions designed to challenge students’ lateral thinking skills, tailored for the 11+ assessment.

Sample Example

Example Problem:
A man is pushing his car along a road when he comes to a hotel. He shouts, “I’m bankrupt!” Why?

Solution:

The man is playing Monopoly. He has landed on a property that he cannot afford, so he is declaring bankruptcy in the game.

Questions

Question 1

Problem:
A woman is driving her car and suddenly stops. She gets out and starts to walk. Why did she stop?

Clue:

Think about her surroundings.

Question 2

Problem:
A man is found dead in a field with 53 unopened letters around him. How did he die?

Clue:

Consider what the letters represent.

Question 3

Problem:
A farmer has 17 sheep. All but 9 die. How many sheep does the farmer have left?

Clue:

Focus on the wording of the question.

Question 4

Problem:
A man is wearing a coat, but it’s a hot day. Why is he wearing it?

Clue:

Think about his situation.

Question 5

Problem:
A boy fell off a 20-foot ladder but didn’t get hurt. How is this possible?

Clue:

Consider where he fell from.

Question 6

Problem:
There are three houses in a row: one blue, one red, and one green. The blue house is on the left of the red house, and the red house is on the left of the green house. Which house is in the middle?

Clue:

Visualise the arrangement.

Question 7

Problem:
A woman was found dead in her office. The only clues were a broken window and a pencil. How did she die?

Clue:

Think about the broken window.

Question 8

Problem:
Two fathers and two sons went fishing. They caught three fish, and each had one. How is this possible?

Clue:

Consider the relationships between them.

Question 9

Problem:
A man walks into a bar and orders a drink. The bartender serves him and he immediately leaves. Why?

Clue:

Think about what he might have done before entering.

Question 10

Problem:
A woman has five daughters, and each of her daughters has a brother. How many children does she have?

Clue:

Focus on the number of brothers.

Question 11

Problem:
A man is looking at a picture of someone. His friend asks him who it is. The man replies, “Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that man’s father is my father’s son.” Who is in the picture?

Clue:

Work through the family relationships.

Question 12

Problem:
A detective is called to a crime scene. The only evidence is a red sock and a baseball bat. How did the crime happen?

Clue:

Consider the significance of the items.

Question 13

Problem:
A woman is sitting in a café with her laptop open, but she is not working. Why is she there?

Clue:

Think about her intentions.

Question 14

Problem:
A man is pushing a cart with 10 apples. He stops and eats one apple. How many apples does he have now?

Clue:

Think about what it means to “have” apples.

Question 15

Problem:
A train leaves the station going 100 km/h. Ten minutes later, another train leaves the same station going 120 km/h. Which train is closer to the station when they meet?

Clue:

Consider the question carefully.

Question 16

Problem:
A woman is walking her dog, but the dog doesn’t have a leash. Why isn’t she worried?

Clue:

Think about the dog’s characteristics.

Question 17

Problem:
A man wakes up one morning and realizes he is late for work. He quickly gets dressed and heads to the door, but he never leaves. Why?

Clue:

Consider what might be stopping him.

Question 18

Problem:
A girl jumped into a pool with all her clothes on. She didn’t get wet. How is this possible?

Clue:

Think about the nature of the pool.

Question 19

Problem:
A person is writing a letter. They write “Dear Mum,” but when they sign it, they write their father’s name. Why?

Clue:

Consider the relationship dynamics.

Question 20

Problem:
A doctor and a lawyer are having a discussion. The doctor says he saves lives, and the lawyer says he saves money. Why is this significant?

Clue:

Think about their professions.

Answers

  1. She ran out of fuel.
  2. He was a mailman and the letters were undelivered.
  3. 9 sheep.
  4. He works in a cold environment.
  5. He fell from the bottom rung.
  6. The red house is in the middle.
  7. She was murdered and the pencil was used to write a note.
  8. They are a grandfather, a father, and a son.
  9. He was returning a borrowed item.
  10. She has 6 children (5 daughters and 1 son).
  11. The man’s son is in the picture.
  12. It was a staged scene; the items are not relevant.
  13. She is waiting for someone.
  14. He still has 10 apples; eating one doesn’t change the count.
  15. Both trains are equidistant from the station when they meet.
  16. The dog is well-trained and knows to stay by her side.
  17. He realized he was still in his pajamas.
  18. The pool is empty.
  19. They are writing to their mother, but their father is the one who is sending the letter.
  20. It highlights the differing values in their professions.

These lateral thinking puzzles will encourage students to engage creatively with problem-solving, enhancing their verbal reasoning skills for the 11+ assessments.