10,000 道題目 · 13 個分類 · 點題目看答案

英文雙關題目與答案

Q00301英文雙關

What affection do landlords most appreciate?房東最欣賞哪種感情?

答案:Parental (pay-rental). — Parental,也就是 pay-rental。 parental 是父母的,原梗把讀音拆成 pay rental「付租金」。

Q00302英文雙關

When day breaks, what becomes of the pieces?天亮時,打破的 day 碎片去哪了?

答案:They go into mourning (morning). — 進入 mourning/morning。 day breaks 是破曉;mourning「哀悼」與 morning「早晨」同音,為碎裂的白天安排哀悼。

Q00303英文雙關

When are two apples alike?兩個蘋果什麼時候 alike?

答案:When pared. — 當它們 pared。 pared 是削皮,與 paired「配成一對」同音;題目借同音回答成雙相配。

Q00304英文雙關

Why is an author the most wonderful man in the world?為什麼作家是最神奇的人?

答案:Because he is the owner of many tales and they all come out of his head. — 他有很多 tales,而且都從頭裡冒出來。 tales 是故事,與 tails「尾巴」同音;故事從腦中創作,被聽成尾巴長在頭上。

Q00305英文雙關

What do you call a boy who eats all the melons he can get, whether they are green or old?什麼都吃、不論青熟都吃的甜瓜男孩,叫什麼?

答案:He is what we call a pains-taking youngster. — Pains-taking youngster。 painstaking 是用心勤奮;拆成 pains taking 又像把腹痛往自己身上攬的孩子。

Q00306英文雙關

What is an eaves-dropper?什麼是 eaves-dropper?

答案:The icicle. — 冰柱。 eavesdropper 是偷聽者;按 eaves「屋簷」和 dropper「滴落者」拆字,屋簷冰柱會滴水。

Q00307英文雙關

What trade is certainly one in which a man will never make a cent except by sticking at it?哪種工作唯有 sticking at it 才能賺錢?

答案:Bill-posting. — 張貼廣告。 stick at 是堅持;張貼廣告也真的要把紙黏上去。

Q00308英文雙關

What is that which goes up the hill and down the hill and yet stands still?什麼東西上坡又下坡,自己卻一直不動?

答案:The road. — 道路。 沿路移動的是人或車;道路本身只是延伸過山坡。

Q00309英文雙關

What becomes of the chocolate cake when your only son eats it?唯一的兒子吃掉巧克力蛋糕後,蛋糕去了哪裡?

答案:It vanishes into the empty heir (air). — 消失在 empty heir/air 裡。 heir「繼承人」與 air「空氣」同音;蛋糕進了空腹的繼承人肚裡,不是憑空消失。

Q00310英文雙關

When is a bill like a gun?帳單什麼時候像槍?

答案:When it is presented and discharged. — 當它被 presented 和 discharged。 帳單會出示並清償;槍會舉出並發射,同樣用 present、discharge 描述。

Q00311英文雙關

Why is a windy orator like a whale?為什麼冗長的演說者像鯨?

答案:Because he often rises to spout. — 因為常站起來 spout。 spout 可指滔滔不絕演講,也可指噴水;鯨浮上水面,演說者起身講話。

Q00312英文雙關

Why is a railroad track a particularly sentimental object?為什麼鐵軌特別多情?

答案:Because it is bound by close ties. — 因為它被 close ties 連在一起。 close ties 是緊密聯絡;ties 也是枕木,固定鐵軌的結構被說成人際感情。

Q00313英文雙關

What is taken from you before you get it?什麼東西在你得到之前,先被從你身上 taken?

答案:Your portrait. — 你的肖像。 take a portrait 是拍攝或畫肖像;不是先從你身上拿走一件東西。

Q00314英文雙關

What melancholy fact is there about a calendar?月曆有什麼令人悲傷的事實?

答案:There is no time when its days are not numbered. — 它的 days 永遠 numbered。 days are numbered 可指來日無多;月曆的日期本來就編了數字。

Q00315英文雙關

Why is a distanced horse like a man in a shady place?落後的賽馬為什麼像待在陰涼處的人?

答案:Because he is out of the heat. — 因為都 out of the heat。 heat 可指一輪預賽或熱氣;賽馬出局,陰涼處的人遠離炎熱。

Q00316英文雙關

Why is the woodsman’s ax an inconsistent weapon?為什麼伐木斧很矛盾?

答案:Because it first cuts a tree down and then cuts it up. — 先把樹 cut down,再把它 cut up。 cut down 是砍倒,cut up 是切碎;down、up 看似方向相反,實際指不同作業。

Q00317英文雙關

Why is an inn-keeper like a multitude of people?為什麼旅館主人像一大群人?

答案:Because he is a host himself. — 因為他自己就是 host。 host 可指旅館主人,也可指眾多的人或事物。

Q00318英文雙關

Why is a bad epigram like a useless pencil?為什麼糟糕的短警句像沒用的鉛筆?

答案:Because it has no point. — 因為都沒有 point。 point 對警句是要點或機智,對鉛筆是筆尖。

Q00319英文雙關

If you see a counterfeit coin on the street why should you always pick it up?為什麼在街上看到偽幣應該撿起來?

答案:Because you may be arrested for passing it. — 因為 passing it 可能被逮捕。 passing it 可以是走過它,也可指把偽幣拿去花;原題故意混淆兩者,不是撿拾處置建議。

Q00320英文雙關

What key opens the penitentiary for a dissipated man?哪把 key 會替放縱的人開啟監獄?

答案:Whis-key. — Whis-key。 whisky 中的尾段聽似 key「鑰匙」;原題以酒後惹事導向入獄作文字反轉。

Q00321英文雙關

Why is a plowed field like feathered game?為什麼犁過的田像獵禽?

答案:Because it’s part-ridges. — 因為是 part-ridges。 partridges 是鷓鴣;拆成 part ridges「部分是土壟」,呼應犁地後的田壟。

Q00322英文雙關

How can you make a tall man short?怎樣讓高個子變 short?

答案:Borrow money of him. — 向他借錢。 short 可指身高矮,也可指手頭缺錢;借走他的錢只改變財務狀態。

Q00323英文雙關

Why are fixed stars like pens, ink and paper?為什麼恆星像筆、墨水與紙?

答案:Because they are stationary (stationery). — 因為是 stationary/stationery。 stationary 是固定不動,stationery 是文具,兩者同音;恆星不是真文具。

Q00324英文雙關

What bridge is warranted to support any strain?哪種 bridge 能承受任何 strain?

答案:The bridge of a fiddle. — 提琴的琴橋。 bridge 可指橋或琴橋;strain 可指壓力,也可指旋律片段,所以答案轉成演奏情境。

Q00325英文雙關

Why are laws like the ocean?為什麼法律像海洋?

答案:The most trouble is caused by the breakers. — 因為 breakers 引起最多麻煩。 breakers 對法律是違法者,對海洋則是拍碎的浪。

Q00326英文雙關

Why is the fly the best one among the grocers’ customers?為什麼蒼蠅是雜貨店最好的顧客?

答案:Because, when he comes for sugar, he settles on the spot. — 牠來找糖時總 settles on the spot。 settle 可指當場結帳,也可指降落停在某處;蒼蠅停在糖上被說成馬上付款。

Q00327英文雙關

Why does an aeronaut dislike to speak about his trips?為什麼飛行家不喜歡談自己的旅行?

答案:It is generally a soar point with him. — 因為那是他的 soar point。 soar 是飛高,與 sore「疼痛」同音;sore point 是敏感痛處,原題換成飛行字眼。

Q00328英文雙關

Why is the letter B like a hot fire?為什麼字母 B 像旺火?

答案:Because it makes oil boil. — 因為它讓 oil 變 boil。 oil 前加 b 變 boil「沸騰」;火加熱油,字母則改變單字。

Q00329英文雙關

When does a public speaker steal lumber?演說者什麼時候偷了木材?

答案:When he takes the floor. — 當他 takes the floor。 take the floor 是開始發言;字面卻像把地板木材拿走。

Q00330英文雙關

If a two-wheeled wagon is a bicycle, and a three-wheeled wagon is a tricycle, what would you call a five-wheeled one?兩輪車叫 bicycle,三輪車叫 tricycle,那五輪車叫什麼?

答案:A V-hicle of course. — V-hicle。 羅馬數字 V 是五,接上 hicle 的讀音像 vehicle「車輛」;是拼字玩笑而非車種名稱。

Q00331英文雙關

Why is a ferry boat like a good rule?為什麼渡船像一條好規則?

答案:Because it works both ways. — 因為 works both ways。 渡船往返兩岸;規則則可對雙方同樣適用,both ways 在兩個語境有不同意思。

Q00332英文雙關

What is always behind time?什麼東西永遠 behind time?

答案:The back of a clock. — 時鐘的背面。 behind time 是遲到;字面又是顯示時間的鐘面後方。

Q00333英文雙關

What is the difference between perseverance and obstinancy?毅力與固執有什麼不同?

答案:One is a strong will and the other is a strong won’t. — 一個是強烈的 will,另一個是強烈的 won't。 will 可指意志或願意;won't 是不願意,原解用相反詞把兩種態度區分。

Q00334英文雙關

Why are spiders good correspondents?為什麼蜘蛛很會通訊?

答案:Because they drop a line by every post and at every house. — 因為到每個柱子、每間屋子都會 drop a line。 drop a line 是寫幾句信;line 也是絲線,蜘蛛會放下絲。

Q00335英文雙關

What is the sure sign of an early spring?早到的 spring 有什麼確切跡象?

答案:A cat watching a hole in the wall with her back up. — 貓拱起背、盯著牆洞。 spring 可指春天或跳躍;貓準備撲跳,被說成春天即將來臨。

Q00336英文雙關

Why is it that whenever you are looking for anything you always find it in the last place you look?為什麼找東西總在最後一個檢視的地方找到?

答案:Because you always stop looking when you find it. — 因為找到後就停止找了。 不是最後那處特別容易藏東西;找到就不再檢視下一處,所以自然是最後。

Q00337英文雙關

What is the most difficult lock to pick?最難 pick 的 lock 是哪個?

答案:One from a bald head. — 禿頭上的一綹頭髮。 pick a lock 是開鎖;lock 也指髮綹,禿頭沒有髮綹可挑取。

Q00338英文雙關

Why is snow like a maple tree?為什麼雪像楓樹?

答案:Because it leaves in the early spring. — 因為它在初春 leaves。 leaves 對雪是離去、消融,對樹可指長葉;同形詞把不同春天變化連起來。

Q00339英文雙關

What is a good thing to part with?什麼東西適合 part with?

答案:A comb. — 梳子。 part with 是捨棄;part 也指分開頭髮,梳子可以拿來分髮。

Q00340英文雙關

If your uncle’s sister is not your aunt what relation is she to you?如果你叔伯或舅舅的姐妹,不是你的姑姑或阿姨,她和你是什麼關係?

答案:Your mother. — 你的母親。 英文 uncle 可指叔伯或舅舅;若是舅舅的姐妹,可能正是你的母親。題目排除姑姑與阿姨後,留下媽媽。

Q00341英文雙關

Why is a pig the most provident of all animals?為什麼豬最會未雨綢繆?

答案:Because he always carries a spare-rib about him. — 因為身上總帶著 spare-rib。 spare rib 是肋排名稱;把 spare「備用」拆開,就像豬帶著備用肋骨。

Q00342英文雙關

Why has a chambermaid more lives than a cat?為什麼女清潔工比貓有更多條命?

答案:Because each morning she returns to dust. — 因為她每早都 returns to dust。 return to dust 可指死後歸塵;dust 也可作動詞「除塵」,她每天回去打掃。

Q00343英文雙關

Why ought the man who handles the reins on a horse car be successful?為什麼駕駛馬車的人應該很成功?

答案:Because he does a driving business. — 因為他的工作是 driving business。 driving 可指駕車,也可形容有活力、蓬勃推進的生意。

Q00344英文雙關

What paradox may often be found in a flower garden?花園中常見什麼矛盾?

答案:A white pink. — 一朵 white pink。 pink 可指粉紅色,也是一種石竹花;白色石竹並非顏色矛盾。

Q00345英文雙關

Why do carpenters have great faith in soothsayers?為什麼木匠很相信預言者?

答案:They cannot work without an auger (augur). — 因為沒有 auger/augur 就不能工作。 auger 是鑽孔工具,augur 是占卜者,兩者同音;木匠實際需要的是鑽具。

Q00346英文雙關

What does a yawning policeman resemble?打呵欠的警察像什麼?

答案:An open-faced watch. — 一隻 open-faced watch。 watch 可指錶或警戒者;open-faced 是無蓋錶面,也呼應張嘴的警察。

Q00347英文雙關

Why is a crow like a lawyer?為什麼烏鴉像律師?

答案:He likes to have his caws (cause) heard. — 因為都想讓自己的 caws/cause 被聽見。 caws 是烏鴉叫聲,cause 可指案件,兩者近同音。

Q00348英文雙關

What is the best way to keep fish from smelling?怎樣最好地讓魚不 smelling?

答案:Cut off their noses. — 切掉牠們的鼻子。 smell 可指發臭,也可指聞氣味;原解偷換成讓魚不能聞,不是去腥建議。

Q00349英文雙關

Why should you never confide a secret to your relatives?為什麼不該向親戚透露秘密?

答案:Because blood will tell. — 因為 blood will tell。 blood will tell 通常是血統會顯現;tell 也可指說出去,blood 又代指血親。

Q00350英文雙關

How can it be proven that a horse has six legs?怎樣證明馬有六條腿?

答案:Because he has fore legs in front and two behind. — 前面有 fore legs,後面有兩條。 fore「前面的」與 four「四」同音;把正常的前腿聽成四腿,再加後兩腿。

Q00351英文雙關

How does light get through a prism?光怎樣穿過稜鏡?

答案:It hews (hues) its way through. — Hews/hues its way through。 hew one's way 是劈出道路;hues「色彩」與 hews 同音,呼應稜鏡將光分成顏色。

Q00352英文雙關

Why should the number 288 never be mentioned in company?為什麼在聚會不該提到數字 288?

答案:Because it is two gross. — 因為它是 two gross。 gross 作數量單位是144,288是兩 gross;two 與 too 同音,too gross 是太粗俗。

Q00353英文雙關

Why are people of short memories necessarily covetous?為什麼記性不好的人總顯得貪心?

答案:Because they’re always for-getting something. — 因為一直 for-getting something。 forgetting 是忘記;拆成 for getting 又像總想取得某樣東西。

Q00354英文雙關

What is the beginning of every end, and the end of every place?每個 end 的開始,以及每個 place 的結尾是什麼?

答案:The letter E. — 字母 E。 單字 end 以 e 開頭,place 以 e 結尾;題目考的是拼字而非空間。

Q00355英文雙關

When does water resemble a gymnast?水什麼時候像體操選手?

答案:When it makes a spring. — 當它 makes a spring。 spring 可指泉水,也可指跳躍;泉湧被說成體操跳躍。

Q00356英文雙關

What bird is in season all the year?哪種鳥全年都 in season?

答案:The weather-cock. — 風向雞。 weather-cock 是雞形風向標,不是活鳥;它全年用於觀察天氣,不受獵期或季節限制。

Q00357英文雙關

When is a sick man a contradiction?生病的人什麼時候自相矛盾?

答案:When he is an impatient patient. — 當他是 impatient patient。 patient 可指病人或有耐心的;impatient patient 是沒耐心的病人,兩種詞義形成反差。

Q00358英文雙關

When may a man be said to be literally immersed in business?人什麼時候真的 immersed in business?

答案:When he’s giving a swimming lesson. — 教游泳的時候。 immersed in business 是埋首工作;游泳老師工作時可以真的浸在水裡。

Q00359英文雙關

What trade should one follow in order to cut a figure in the world?從事哪種工作能在世上 cut a figure?

答案:A sculptor. — 雕刻家。 cut a figure 通常指引人注目;雕刻家則真的雕出形體。

Q00360英文雙關

How do little fish have a proper idea of business?小魚怎樣懂得經營事業?

答案:Not being able to do better, they start on a small scale. — 無法做得更大,只好 start on a small scale。 small scale 是小規模,scale 也指魚鱗;小魚身上的小鱗片成了經營規模。

Q00361英文雙關

When do cards most resemble wolves?紙牌什麼時候像狼?

答案:When they belong to a pack. — 當它們屬於 pack。 pack 可以是一副紙牌,也可以是一群狼。

Q00362英文雙關

What vine does beef grow on?牛肉長在哪種 vine 上?

答案:The bo-vine. — Bo-vine。 bovine 是牛的;故意把尾段 vine「藤」拆出,像牛肉也長在藤上。

Q00363英文雙關

When is a man duplicated?人什麼時候被複製成兩個?

答案:When he’s beside himself. — 當他 beside himself。 beside himself 是情緒失控;字面像他站在自己旁邊,形成兩個自己的錯覺。

Q00364英文雙關

What does an envelope say when it is licked?信封被舔時會說什麼?

答案:Just shuts up and says nothing about it. — 只是 shut up,一句話也不說。 舊式信封舔濕膠條後封口;shut up 也可指閉嘴,將封口說成沉默。

Q00365英文雙關

Why is a postman in danger of losing his way?為什麼郵差有迷路的危險?

答案:Because he is guided by the directions of strangers. — 因為他由陌生人的 directions 指引。 directions 可指路線指示,也可指收件地址;郵差按陌生人寫的地址投遞。

Q00366英文雙關

What is the difference between a watchmaker and a jailer?製錶師和獄卒有什麼不同?

答案:One sells watches and the other watches cells. — 一個 sells watches,另一個 watches cells。 前句是賣錶,後句是看守牢房;sells/cells 同音,watch 又有錶與監看兩義。

Q00367英文雙關

Why are lawyers the most intemperate people?為什麼律師最不節制?

答案:Because they are continually practicing at the bar. — 因為一直在 bar 練習。 bar 可指酒吧,也可指法律界;practice at the bar 實際是執業,不是不斷喝酒。

Q00368英文雙關

What tree bears the most fruit to market?哪種 tree 把最多水果送到市場?

答案:The axle tree. — Axle tree。 axletree 是車軸,不是活樹;運水果的車軸被名稱中的 tree 引成樹。

Q00369英文雙關

Why is a banker’s clerk necessarily well informed?為什麼銀行職員必然訊息靈通?

答案:Because he is continually taking notes. — 因為不停 taking notes。 take notes 可以是記筆記;notes 又是鈔票,銀行職員會收取紙鈔。

Q00370英文雙關

Why is a billiard maker like a stage prompter?為什麼撞球製造者像舞臺提詞人?

答案:Because he gives the players a cue. — 因為都給玩家 cue。 cue 可指球桿,也可指表演提示;兩種職業給出的東西不同。

Q00371英文雙關

When is a fact like a universal patent?事實什麼時候像一項通用專利?

答案:When it is patent to “all.” — 當它 patent to all。 patent 可指專利,也可作形容詞「明白可見」;patent to all 是人人都明白。

Q00372英文雙關

What sort of a face does an auctioneer like best?拍賣師最喜歡什麼臉?

答案:One that is for bidding. — For bidding 的臉。 for bidding 是願意出價,連讀又像 forbidding「面容嚴厲的」;原梗用語音造成反差。

Q00373英文雙關

Why should a poor salesman be put in the hands of a potter?為什麼差勁的業務員應該交給陶工?

答案:Because he is very poor clay and should be fired. — 因為他是 poor clay,應該 fired。 fire 對陶土是入窯燒製,對職員是解僱;差材料和差業務員都被說成需要 fire。

Q00374英文雙關

Why is an account book like a statuary shop?為什麼帳簿像雕像店?

答案:It is full of figures. — 因為裡面滿是 figures。 figures 可指數字,也可指雕塑形體。

Q00375英文雙關

When may a base-ball nine say its “cake is all dough”?棒球隊什麼時候能說自己的 cake is all dough?

答案:When it does not have a good batter. — 當它沒有好的 batter。 cake is all dough 表示計畫失敗;batter 可指打者,也可指蛋糕麵糊,兩個意思連起棒球與烘焙。

Q00376英文雙關

Why is an egg like a colt?為什麼蛋像小馬?

答案:Because it is not fit for use until it is broken. — 因為要 broken 才適合使用。 蛋要打破才烹調;break a colt 指訓練小馬接受騎乘,而非折斷牠。

Q00377英文雙關

Why is a threadbare garment like a man who was up late at the ball?為什麼磨薄的衣服像在舞會熬夜的人?

答案:Because both look worn out when they lose their nap. — 因為少了 nap,就會 worn out。 nap 對布料是絨毛,對人是短睡;worn out 可指磨損或疲累。

Q00378英文雙關

What bridge creates the most anxiety?哪種橋最令人焦慮?

答案:A suspension bridge. — Suspension bridge。 suspension 是懸吊,與 suspense「懸念、焦慮」相近;懸索橋被拿來玩詞義聯想。

Q00379英文雙關

When does a cook break the game law?廚師何時違反狩獵規則?

答案:When she poaches eggs. — 當她 poaches eggs。 poach 可指偷獵,也可指水煮蛋;烹飪用法並不真的違法。

Q00380英文雙關

Why do you always make a mistake when you put on your slipper?為什麼穿上拖鞋總會犯錯?

答案:Because you put your foot in it. — 因為你 put your foot in it。 put one's foot in it 是說錯話或做錯事;穿拖鞋則真的把腳放進去。

Q00381英文雙關

Why is a lucky gambler an agreeable fellow?為什麼幸運的賭徒很討人喜歡?

答案:Because he has such winning ways. — 因為有 winning ways。 winning 可指贏得賭局,也可形容討人喜愛;同一形容詞連線運氣與魅力。

Q00382英文雙關

Why is the inside of everything mysterious?為什麼所有東西的內部都神秘?

答案:Because we cannot make it out. — 因為不能 make it out。 make out 是弄明白;字面又像把內部變成外部,原題以 out 對照 inside。

Q00383英文雙關

If a tailor and a goose are on the top of the Monument, which is the quickest way for the tailor to get down?裁縫和一隻鵝都在紀念碑頂上,裁縫最快要怎樣 get down?

答案:Pluck the goose. — 拔鵝的羽毛。 get down 通常指下來;down 也指絨羽,因此拔羽毛是取得 down。原書沒有提供真的下樓方法。

Q00384英文雙關

Why may a barrister’s fees be said to be cheap?為什麼可以說大律師的費用很便宜?

答案:Because they are bargains. — 因為它們是 bargains。 bargains 指便宜貨;bar gains 可理解為法律界所得的收入,與 bargains 近音。

Q00385英文雙關

What do they do with peaches in California?加州的人怎麼處理桃子?

答案:In California they eat all the peaches they can, and can all they can’t! — 他們吃掉所有吃得下的桃子,再把吃不下的全部裝罐。 can 一方面表示能夠,另一方面是把食物裝罐;原文 eat all they can、can all they can’t 利用這個雙關。

Q00386英文雙關

What is the utmost effort ever made by a piebald horse at a high jump?花斑馬跳高時,最大的努力會離地多高?

答案:The utmost effort ever made by a piebald (or by any) horse at a high jump is four feet from the ground ! — 四 feet 離開地面。 feet 可以指英尺,也指腳;原答案說四隻腳都離地,不是跳高四英尺的紀錄。

Q00387英文雙關

Which can see most, a man with two eyes, or a man with one?雙眼的人和只有一隻眼睛的人,誰能看見較多?

答案:A man with one eye can see more than a man with two, for in addition to all else he can see the other man’s two eyes, which can only see his one. — 只有一隻眼睛的人。 原文假設兩人看著對方:單眼者看見對方兩隻眼睛,雙眼者只看見對方一隻。這是題目的觀察角度反轉,並非視力結論。

Q00388英文雙關

What is the question to which “yes” is the only possible reply?什麼問題唯一可能的回答是 yes?

答案:“What does Y E S spell?” is the question to which “yes” is the only possible reply. — Y E S 拼成什麼字? 問的是英文字母拼字;Y、E、S 拼成 yes,不是所有人都必須同意的意見問題。

Q00389英文雙關

What is that which will go up a pipe down, but will not go down a pipe up; or will go down a pipe down, but not up a pipe up, and yet when it has gone up a pipe or down a pipe, will go up or down?什麼東西能「down 時向上透過管子」,卻不能「up 時向下透過管子」;能「down 時向下透過」,卻不能「up 時向上透過」,而透過管子以後又能 up 或 down?

答案:An umbrella. — 雨傘。 原英文反覆把移動方向 up/down 與傘的撐起/收下狀態混用。傘收起後能透過管道,撐開後則受寬度阻擋。

Q00390英文雙關

Why is a motor-car like swimming fish?汽車為什麼像正在遊動的魚?

答案:Because it may be smelt! — 因為它可能是 smelt。 smelt 可以是 smell 的過去分詞「被聞到」,也指胡瓜魚;汽車氣味與魚名形成雙關。

Q00391英文雙關

Why is a moth flying round a candle like a garden-gate?繞著蠟燭飛的蛾,為什麼像花園的門?

答案:The solution of the prime conundrum “Why is a moth flying round a candle like a garden gate?” is—Because if it keeps on it singes its wings (its hinges it swings). — 因為繼續下去,就會 singes its wings(its hinges it swings)。 singes its wings 指燒焦翅膀;its hinges it swings 指門靠鉸鏈擺動,兩個英文片語近音。

Q00392英文雙關

If I caught a newt why would it be a small one?我抓到的蠑螈為什麼會很小?

答案:Because it would be my newt (minute). — 因為它是 my newt(minute)。 my newt 是我的蠑螈;minute 讀成表示微小的發音時,與 my newt 近音。

Q00393英文雙關

Why cannot we have our hair cut?我們為什麼不能把頭髮剪短?

答案:Because barbers do not cut hair any longer! — 因為理髮師不會 cut hair any longer。 not cut hair any longer 通常指不再剪髮;原文把 longer 解成更長,暗示理髮師不能把頭髮剪得更長。

Q00394英文雙關

What is highest when its head is off?什麼東西頭離開後,反而最高?

答案:A pillow. — 枕頭。 頭壓著枕頭時枕頭被壓低;頭拿開後,枕頭恢復較高的形狀。

Q00395英文雙關

If I walk into a room full of people, and place a new penny upon the table in full view of the company, what does the coin do?如果把一枚新便士放在滿屋子的人面前,硬幣會做什麼?

答案:It looks round! — looks round。 look round 可以指環顧四周,也可以指看起來是圓的;答案只說硬幣外形。

Q00396英文雙關

When did “London” begin with an l and end with an e ?London 什麼時候以 l 開始、以 e 結束?

答案:London always began with an l , and end always began with an e ! — London 一直以 l 開始,而 end 一直以 e 開始。 原答案把問題裡的 end 當作單字本身:London 的首字母是 l,end 的首字母是 e。並不是 London 最後一個字母變成了 e。

Q00397英文雙關

Which weighs most, the new moon or the full moon?新月和滿月,哪個比較重?

答案:The new moon, for the full moon is much lighter. — 新月,因為滿月 much lighter。 lighter 可以指更亮,也可指更輕;原文把滿月較亮偷換成較輕,是語詞笑點而非月球重量的事實。

Q00398英文雙關

Why is a bee like a rook?蜜蜂為什麼像禿鼻烏鴉?

答案:Because! ( bee caws ). — Because!(bee caws) because 與 bee caws 近音;caw 是烏鴉叫聲,原文把蜜蜂 bee 配上烏鴉的叫聲來組成 because。

Q00399英文雙關

How do trees get at their summer dress without opening their trunks?樹不開啟 trunks,要怎麼拿到夏天的衣服?

答案:They leave out their summer dress. — 它們會 leave out 夏天的衣服。 trunk 可以指樹幹或衣箱;leave out 原指省略,此處借 leaves(葉子)暗示樹長出夏季葉子。

Q00400英文雙關

Why was the year preceding 1871 the same as the year following it?1871 年的前一年,為什麼和後一年相同?

答案:The year before was 1870; the year following was 1870, too. — 前一年是 1870,後一年是 1870, too。 1870 too(也是1870)聽起來像1872;實際前後年份不同,笑點在英文數字發音。

腦筋急轉彎問題與解答

腦筋急轉彎要怎麼答?

先讀完題目,找出明確條件,再想其中的詞是否有另一種意思。例如「什麼水不能喝?」不一定指真正的液體,也可能是在問「薪水」。先換一種理解,再檢查答案是否符合題目。

讀題時,哪些字最值得留意?

留意「只有」「沒有」「一定」「不能」等限制,也要分清楚題目已說明的事與自己猜測的事。例如題目只說「從飛機上跳下來」,並沒有說飛機已經起飛;但若明確說在高空,就不能用「飛機停在地面」作答。

想不到答案時,可以從哪裡找線索?

先把人物、物品、動作與限制分開看,再問自己:這個物品一定是真的嗎?這個動作一定是平常的意思嗎?例如「舉起一座山」可能指舉起山的模型,而不是搬動真正的山。替代解釋仍須符合題目全部條件。

怎麼辨認一詞多義的題目?

遇到看似不可能的描述,可以試著替換詞義。「河床」的「床」不是睡床,「眼球」的「球」也不是拿來踢的球。找到轉折後,還要確認整個詞真的存在,不能只因為包含同一個字就認定答案成立。

諧音題要怎麼猜?

把關鍵字和可能的答案讀出來,檢查是否同音或近音,再看笑點是否與題目有關。例如「狐狸為什麼容易滑倒?」可用「狡猾」與「腳滑」的近音作笑話。不同口音可能讓諧音不成立,遇到勉強的音,不必硬猜。

有數字的題目,一定要先計算嗎?

先判斷是在考計算,還是在考條件。若題目問「一公斤鐵與一公斤棉花哪個重」,兩者已經各是一公斤,答案就是一樣重。若確實需要計算,可列出單位和關係;不要自行改動數字,或省略題目明確給出的條件。

英文腦筋急轉彎怎麼理解?

先看英文原文,檢查單字是否有多種意思或與其他詞同音。例如 single 可以指「單一」或「單身」,stories 可以指「故事」或「樓層」。中文譯文可幫助理解情境,但答案成立與否仍要回到原文詞義。

一題可以有不只一個答案嗎?

可以。只要另一個答案符合全部明確條件,並能說清楚轉折,就值得討論。若題目資訊不足,也可以回答「目前無法確定」。不要為了配合題庫答案,忽略矛盾或把未提供的線索當作事實。

揭曉答案後,怎麼知道它有沒有道理?

先確認答案沒有違反題目,再用一句話說出轉折:是換了詞義、利用諧音,還是發現被忽略的條件?若解釋需要另加題目沒提過的身分或事件,那可能只是其中一種情境,不能當作唯一必然答案。

和小學生一起玩,怎麼給提示比較好?

從熟悉的生活物品和短題目開始,先讓孩子說說自己的想法,再逐步提示,例如「這個字還有別的意思嗎?」或「題目有說一定是在天空嗎?」揭曉後一起解釋轉折,不以答題速度評斷孩子,也不把笑話答案當成科學知識。