Puzzles are good for the brain.
I often use brain puzzles when I teach my English classes. They help my students think creatively and logically. That is why I believe brain puzzles can help students improve their writing skills. They make you think smarter, and therefore, write better.
Four Brain Puzzles
Here are four puzzles. Try to find the answers. Also try to write the answers. Some of the puzzle solutions are short. Two of the answers are long.
Puzzle 1
You have 9 marbles that look identical in size, shape and color. The difference is mass. Eight marbles weigh 10 grams each. One marble weighs 11 grams. You have a balance scale with two trays. How can you find the heavy marble by using the scale only two times?
Puzzle 2
You have a round cake and a knife. How can you make 8 pieces that are the same size by cutting the cake only three times?
Puzzle 3
Look at these letters.
A E F H I K L M N T V W X Y Z
_____________________________
B C D G J O P Q R S U
Why are some letters above the line and some letters are below the line?
Puzzle 4
There is a room upstairs. It has one light and no windows. Downstairs, there are three switches – A, B and C. One switch is connected to the light in the upstairs room. How can you know which switch is connected to the light? You can enter the upstairs room just one time.
There are no windows and it is impossible to see inside the room unless you enter through the door. Turn on/off the switches as much as you like.
Print Puzzles
Get the worksheet here. You can print the puzzles.