[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! A Collection of Tricky Quizzes You’ll Definitely Get Stumped By

1 piece

A die has six faces, right? When asked for 'numbers greater than or equal to 6,' you might be tempted to answer 'none' because there are only six faces, but that would be incorrect. 'Greater than or equal to 6' includes 6, whereas 'greater than 6' does not include 6. Since the question asks for numbers 'greater than or equal to 6,' the correct answer is one. It’s a fun problem that hinges on nuances in Japanese.

6 pieces

Since it's a trick question, simply adding the numbers in the problem statement won’t give you the answer. The key is “さらにみかん3個.” If you convert “さらに” to “皿に” (on a plate), the oranges aren’t in the basket, right? The fruits other than the oranges are in the basket, so there are 6 in total.

doesn't cry/sing/chirp (doesn't make a sound)

You might think that baby frogs would also croak “ribbit” along with their parents. But let’s picture what baby frogs actually look like. They live in the water—they’re tadpoles. Tadpoles don’t make croaking sounds, so the correct answer is “they don’t croak.” The key is to read the question carefully to avoid being misled.

grandfather

It’s a trick that makes you look for the first man among the suitors who was able to have a conversation with Princess Kaguya. Princess Kaguya was born from bamboo. In the bamboo grove, who discovered the glowing bamboo containing Princess Kaguya and brought it home? If you recall the story, it was the “old man,” her foster father, who fits as the first man to have a conversation with her!

Japan

From the phrase “rich person” in the problem statement, one might also associate it with living in Japan’s urban centers or overseas. However, since it says “the richest person in Japan,” it’s not overseas. The detailed prefecture-level address in Japan can’t be inferred from the problem statement, so the answer is “Japan.”

living room

The answer is in the question itself! Since it says “about to burst into tears” (imanimo nakidashisou), the answer is ima (the living room). Instead of overthinking it, relaxing and taking it easy might bring you closer to the correct answer. It’s the kind of riddle that feels even more enjoyable when you figure it out yourself.

Different / No / That's not right

Since the fatty tuna (otoro) is “500 yen,” it makes you want to answer the price of medium-fatty tuna (chutoro). But there’s a hint hidden in the question’s phrasing: “ikura deshou ka?” Here, “ikura” doesn’t mean “how much (price),” but refers to salmon roe. Chutoro isn’t salmon roe, so the correct answer is “wrong.”