Interesting Lateral Thinking Quiz
Lateral thinking is the term given to the process of solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, through the use of reasoning that may not be immediately obvious. Can you use lateral thinking to complete this quiz?
Questions and Answers
- 1.
If a train travels a loop of 25 stations, how many different combinations of start and end point exist?
- A.
An Infinite Number
- B.
25
- C.
725
- D.
600
Correct Answer
D. 600Explanation
There are 25 stations in total, and for each station, there are 24 possible end points (excluding the starting point itself). Therefore, the total number of different combinations of start and end points is 25 multiplied by 24, which equals 600.Rate this question:
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- 2.
If two men are in front of one, two are behind one and one is between two, how many men are there?
- A.
Six
- B.
Three
- C.
Five
- D.
Two
Correct Answer
B. ThreeExplanation
The question states that two men are in front of one, two are behind one, and one is between two. This implies that there are three men in total. One man is in the middle, with two men in front of him and two men behind him. Therefore, the correct answer is three.Rate this question:
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- 3.
How old is a boy who is three times the age of a girl but in three years will be twice her age?
- A.
15
- B.
9
- C.
12
- D.
6
Correct Answer
B. 9Explanation
The boy is currently three times the age of the girl, so if the girl's age is x, then the boy's age is 3x. In three years, the girl's age will be x+3 and the boy's age will be 3x+3. According to the given information, the boy's age in three years will be twice the girl's age, so we can write the equation 3x+3 = 2(x+3). Solving this equation, we find x = 3. Therefore, the girl is currently 3 years old, and the boy is currently 3*3 = 9 years old.Rate this question:
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- 4.
If each member of a four-person family gives a present to each person, how many gifts are there?
- A.
12 Presents
- B.
4 Presents
- C.
20 Presents
- D.
24 Presents
Correct Answer
A. 12 PresentsExplanation
In a four-person family, if each member gives a present to each person, we can calculate the number of gifts by multiplying the number of people (4) by the number of recipients (4). This gives us a total of 16 presents. However, since each person is also giving a present to themselves, we need to subtract 4 from the total. Therefore, the correct answer is 12 presents.Rate this question:
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- 5.
If you have six shirts and four pairs of pants, how many different outfits can you make?
- A.
35 Outfits
- B.
10 Outfits
- C.
93 Outfits
- D.
24 Outfits
Correct Answer
D. 24 OutfitsExplanation
To find the number of different outfits, we multiply the number of choices for each item of clothing. In this case, we have 6 choices for shirts and 4 choices for pants. Multiplying these together gives us 24 different outfits that can be made. Therefore, the correct answer is 24 Outfits.Rate this question:
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- 6.
If Dan drove 62 miles and Jan drove two and a half times as far, how many total miles did they drive?
- A.
186 Miles
- B.
91 Miles
- C.
95 Miles
- D.
217 Miles
Correct Answer
D. 217 MilesExplanation
Dan drove 62 miles and Jan drove two and a half times as far. To find out how far Jan drove, we multiply 62 by 2.5, which equals 155 miles. Adding Dan's distance of 62 miles to Jan's distance of 155 miles gives a total of 217 miles.Rate this question:
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- 7.
If there were 1024 matches in a single-elimination tournament, how many players were there?
- A.
512
- B.
2048
- C.
1024
- D.
1025
Correct Answer
D. 1025Explanation
In a single-elimination tournament, each match eliminates one player until only one player remains as the winner. Since there were 1024 matches, it means that 1024 players were eliminated throughout the tournament. However, the winner of the tournament is not counted among the eliminated players. Therefore, to find the total number of players, we need to add the number of eliminated players (1024) to the winner (1). Therefore, the total number of players in the tournament is 1025.Rate this question:
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- 8.
If two friends each bring you two gifts, and you give two away, how many gifts do you have?
- A.
Six
- B.
None
- C.
Four
- D.
Two
Correct Answer
D. TwoExplanation
If two friends each bring two gifts, that means there are a total of four gifts. However, if you give two of those gifts away, you are left with only two gifts. Therefore, the correct answer is two.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What times is it now, if 4 hours 15 minutes ago it was 7:15 A.M.?
- A.
11:30 P.M.
- B.
11:00 A.M.
- C.
10:00 A.M.
- D.
11:30 A.M.
Correct Answer
D. 11:30 A.M.Explanation
4 hours and 15 minutes ago, it was 7:15 A.M. To find the current time, we need to add 4 hours and 15 minutes to 7:15 A.M. 4 hours and 15 minutes is equivalent to 4 hours and 15 minutes past 7:00 A.M. which is 11:15 A.M. Therefore, the current time is 11:30 A.M., which matches the given answer.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which two words are the most similar to each other in meaning?
- A.
Cynic And Faultfinder
- B.
Dowager And Militant
- C.
Faultfinder And Dowager
- D.
Cynic And Militant
Correct Answer
A. Cynic And FaultfinderExplanation
Cynic and faultfinder are the most similar in meaning as both words describe someone who is critical and negative. A cynic is someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest and is distrustful of human sincerity, while a faultfinder is someone who constantly looks for and points out flaws or mistakes. Both terms imply a negative and critical attitude towards others or the world around them.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The letters from climber, monitor and niece can be used to form what three synonyms?
- A.
Imbecile Moron Cretin
- B.
Oriole Robin Ecclem
- C.
Limber Chronic Numb
- D.
Motion Bicycle Run
Correct Answer
A. Imbecile Moron CretinExplanation
The letters from climber, monitor, and niece can be rearranged to form the words imbecile, moron, and cretin, which are all synonyms for a foolish or stupid person.Rate this question:
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- 12.
If seven analysts input 1001 logs in 429 minutes, how many do three analysts input in 1001 minutes?
- A.
429
- B.
501
- C.
1001
- D.
1650
Correct Answer
C. 1001Explanation
If seven analysts can input 1001 logs in 429 minutes, it means that each analyst can input 1001/7 = 143 logs in 429 minutes. Therefore, in 1001 minutes, each analyst can input 143 * (1001/429) = 333 logs. Since there are three analysts, the total number of logs they can input in 1001 minutes is 333 * 3 = 999. Therefore, the answer is 1001.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which word of this group: "ten, pig, can, are" is the odd one out?
- A.
Can
- B.
Are
- C.
Ten
- D.
Pig
Correct Answer
B. AreExplanation
The word "Are" is the odd one out because it is the only word that is a verb, while the other words are nouns. "Ten," "pig," and "can" are all common nouns, referring to a number, an animal, and a container respectively. However, "Are" is a form of the verb "to be," indicating a state of being or existence.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which letter comes next in the series "A, C, F, J, O"?
- A.
U
- B.
W
- C.
Y
- D.
P
Correct Answer
A. UExplanation
The series follows a pattern where each letter is obtained by adding a certain number of letters to the previous letter. In this case, the pattern is +1, +2, +3, +4. Starting with "A", we add 1 letter to get "C", then add 2 letters to get "F", then add 3 letters to get "J", and finally add 4 letters to get "O". Therefore, the next letter in the series would be obtained by adding 5 letters to "O", which gives us "U".Rate this question:
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- 15.
How many steps does it take to turn the word "nose" into "chin" by changing only one letter at a time?
- A.
Six
- B.
11
- C.
Nine
- D.
Three
Correct Answer
A. SixExplanation
To turn the word "nose" into "chin" by changing only one letter at a time, we can follow these steps: nose --> nose --> nose --> nose --> nose --> nose --> chin. Thus, it takes six steps to turn "nose" into "chin".Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
May 14, 2015Quiz Created by
AndyBeckhum
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