Level: pre-intermediate and above

Brief description:

This puzzle is designed to practice your lateral thinking.

A Man in Black

Instructions: Read the story and try to answer the question. Don’t be lazy; try hard to figure it out! If you cannot think of the solution, read the clues for help.

A man is wearing black: black shoes, socks, trousers, coat, gloves and ski mask. He is walking down a street with all the street lamps off. A black car is coming towards him with its lights off but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the driver see the man?

Clue one: He wasn’t carrying a torch

Clue two: The driver wasn’t using any special technology

Clue three: There was nothing special about the car

Clue four: There was nothing special about the man or his clothes Clue five: There was nothing special about the street

Clue six: The driver didn’t have any trouble seeing the man

Clue seven: The man wasn’t surprised that the driver had seen him

Clue eight: The driver could see the man because of light, but not because of artificial light

Clue nine: There wasn’t any moonlight

Clue ten: There wasn’t any starlight

Answer:

The driver saw the man because it was daytime.

Glossary:

• Lateral thinking (noun): a way of solving a problem by thinking about it in a different and original way and not using traditional or expected methods (Tư duy định hướng/phá cách)

• Ski mask (noun): a covering for all or part of the face to protect and keep warm, especially worn while skiing (Mặt nạ trượt tuyết)

• Street lamp (noun): a light in or at the side of a road or public area which is usually supported on a tall post (ALSO street light) (Đèn đường)

• To manage (verb): to succeed in doing something, especially something difficult (Xoay xở)

• Torch (noun): (US flashlight) a small light which is held in the hand and usually gets its power from batteries (Đèn pin)

• Artificial (adjective): made by people, often as a copy of something natural (Nhân tạo)

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).