If you think you've got what it takes to be a spy, then you need to give these devilishly tough secret service brainteasers a try.
Sinclair McKay, author of Secret Service Brainteasers, has shared a few of the tricky conundrums which are out today in his new book.
If you can solve all ten featured here then you might just have what it takes.
Have you got what it takes to tangle with the likes of 007? Sinclair McKay, author of Secret Service Brainteasers, has shared a few conundrums used by the secret service in recruitment tests. Pictured here is Daniel Craig playing James Bond in Skyfall
Some are historical conundrums of the sort that Edwardian and later agents would have been expected to tackle with speed.
While others have been inspired directly by more modern secret service recruitment tests.
Describing his new work, Mr McKay said: 'Of all idle childhood daydreams it must surely be one of the most common: what is it like to be approached out of nowhere and invited to become a spy?
'Espionage is an ever-evolving contest: wits matches against counter-wits. In an ever-changing, ever-unstable world, the spy will remain a constant.'
1. The dovetailed block
This curious mechanical puzzle consists of two solid blocks of wood securely dovetailed together. On the other two vertical sides that are not visible the appearance is precisely the same as on those shown.
How were the pieces put together?
2. The monk and the bridges
Below you will see a rough plan of a river with an island and five bridges. On one side of the river is a monastery, and on the other side is a monk in the foreground.
Now, the monk has decided that he will cross every bridge once, and only once, on his return to the monastery.
This is, of course, quite easy to do, but on the way he thought to himself, ‘I wonder how many different routes there are from which I might have selected.’
Could you have told him?
3. Spy rings
Infiltrating spy rings is all part of secret service skills. The Cambridge Spy Ring, which recruited agents in the 1930s and the Portland Spy Ring, active in the 1950s, all have their place in history. Spy rings are all about connections.
Which of the rings A to H has the most links?
4. Tour of duty
Our diplomat is taking part in an international tour of duty which takes him all over the world. CHINA is his first posting and the first name on the list.
Use the symbols to work out the names of the other countries where he is posted and say where the tour of duty ends.
5. Parlour game
Snakes and Ladders was a popular parlour game in the Victorian era. A similar game of Indian origin was called Moksha-Patamu.
Both these board games had a moral dimension with ladders allowing you to move to a higher plane and snakes providing a journey in the opposite direction.
Fit the twenty-five words listed below on to the Snakes and Ladders board starting with the letter V. Follow the direction of the arrows.
The last letter of one word is the first letter of the next. When your word finishes at the foot of a ladder, repeat the letter at the top of the ladder and continue with the word chain.
Similarly, when your word finishes at the head of a snake, repeat the letter at the other end of the snake and and proceed until the grid is complete.
6. Bird's-eye view
A reconnaissance mission involves flying over a hostile airfield. The bird’s-eye view shows a plan of the area. The enlarged square denotes the precise location for a parachute drop.
Unhelpfully, the square may or may not be the same way round as the areas in the sketch. All the same, there is only one squared area that correlates.
Can you locate the place for the parachutist to land?
7. Road block
Your mission takes you to the mountains of central Asia. Your cover is blown but in true gung ho spirit you are not going to give in without a fight.
There are many roadblocks along your escape route. In order to create the maximum disruption you want to go through and smash as many roadblocks as you can. Exits can be made at any of the roads on the right.
Without retracing or crossing a route, what is the maximum number of blocks that can be encountered?
8. Sir Edwyn de Tudor
Sir Edwyn de Tudor needed to rescue his lady-love, the fair Isabella, who was held a captive by a neighbouring wicked baron.
Sir Edwyn calculated that if he rode fifteen miles an hour he would arrive at the castle an hour too soon, while if he rode ten miles an hour he would get there just an hour too late.
Now, it was of the first importance that he should be a success, and the time of the tryst was five o’clock, when the captive lady would be taking her afternoon tea.
The puzzle is to discover exactly how far Sir Edwyn de Tudor had to ride.
9. Rendezvous
Four agents have planned a secret rendezvous. They have agreed to meet at the same station on an underground network. Alicia sets off from North Way, Boris from New Fields, Katarina from South Station and Dietrich from Lower Gate.
1) If they all travel the same number of stops, what’s the least number of stops that will enable them to meet up? Which station is the meeting point? No one can revisit a station.
2) They all decide to travel seven stops each. Again, no one can revisit a station. At which station will they meet?
10. Coffee shop
Secret Service Brainteasers is the latest book from Sinclair McKay. He's previously written Bletchley Park Brainteasers
Evenings or weekends, four friends regularly meet in a coffee shop. One of them is very important and you must make contact with her today.
They are queuing for a coffee and cake and it is the friend who is fourth in the queue who you must get in touch with.
Who is she?
Use the clues below to help you find out.
- Alice, Camilla, Lizzie and Mollie are ordering a Mocha, a Latte, a Cappuccino and an Americano.
- Foodwise there is a choice of flapjack, croissant, cupcake and muffin and they all choose a different treat.
- Lizzie is immediately behind whoever has ordered a mocha with a flapjack.
- The person with the Americano is at the front of the queue.
- The two at the back of the queue haven’t ordered a cupcake.
- The person with the latte is not in front of the person eating the muffin, who ordered a Cappuccino.
- No one is ordering a coffee or food with the same initial as their name.
Secret Service Brainteasers by Sinclair McKay is out today and is available on Amazon for £12.99.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/21/try-these-devilishly-tough-secret-service-brainteasers-to-test-your-logic-imagination-and-nerves/
Main photo article If you think you’ve got what it takes to be a spy, then you need to give these devilishly tough secret service brainteasers a try.
Sinclair McKay, author of Secret Service Brainteasers, has shared a few of the tricky conundrums which are out today in his new book.
If you can solve all ten ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1/2018/09/20/15/4427058-6188991-image-a-20_1537454054144.jpg
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