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Big Family

Four people are sitting around a campfire after a long day of recreation, when one man comments: “Do you realize that around this campfire, the four of us include a mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle and a couple cousins”?[1] If everyone is related by blood (with no unusual marriages), how is this possible?

Answer:

The campfire circle includes a woman and her brother. The woman’s daughter and the man’s son are also present.

Two-Faced

I am two-faced but bear only one, I have no legs but travel widely. Men spill much blood over me, kings leave their imprints on me.[2] I have the greatest power when given away, yet lust for me keeps me locked away.[3] What am I?

Answer:

A Coin.

Sam and His Son

Eight years ago, Sam was eight times the age of his son Sam Jr. Today, if you add their ages together, they add up to 52. How old are Sam and his son?

Answer:

Sam is 40, and Sam Jr. is 12.

Not a Single Word!

When Miss Millie purchased her new parrot, the salesman assured her that it would repeat any word it heard. About a week later, Miss Millie returned the parrot complaining it hadn’t uttered[4] a single word.

Given that[5] the salesman had spoken the truth about the parrot’s abilities, why wouldn’t the bird talk?

Answer:

The parrot was DEAF.

Vocabulary

1. recreation: 娱乐，消遣；niece: 侄女，外甥女；nephew: 侄子，外甥。

2. spill blood: 杀人，引起流血；imprint: 印记。

3. lust: 不良欲望，贪欲；lock away: 把（某物）锁藏起来。

4. utter: （尤指吃力地）发出（声音）。

5. given that: 若假设……

（来源：英语学习杂志）