Deductive Thinking Skills Warm-Ups

6/19 #1

Mary and James each work. One is a bricklayer. One is a skycap. The man is not a bricklayer. Who does what?

6/24 #1

Malinda’s report card showed a C in math. Malinda’s mother was angry. She said that if Malinda’s next report card didn’t show a better grade in math, Malinda would be grounded. Malinda’s mother never lies. Malinda’s mother saw Malinda’s next report card but Malinda did not get grounded. What must have happened?

6/24 #2

Mrs. Raynor and Mr. Sartin each went to the store. One was supposed to buy cheese. The other was supposed to buy eggs. Mr. Sartin was not supposed to buy cheese. What was each person supposed to buy?

6/26 #1

Mandy believes that everyone should go to a dentist at least twice a year. Mandy knows her brother has been to a dentist only once in the last two years. What must Mandy believe about her brother?

6/26 #2

I am thinking of three colors. I like the first better than the second. I like the third better than the first. Of these three colors, A. Which one do I like the best?B. Which one do I like the least?

7/1 #1

Amy’s hair is longer than Marlene’s. Tanya’s hair is shorter than Marlene’s.A. Who has the shortest hair?B. Who has the longest hair?

7/1 #2

Rocky and Terrible are a bird and an elephant. Rocky weighs more than Terrible. Who is what?

7/3 #1

If Randy were 5cm taller, his height would be 89cm. How tall is he?

7/3 #2

If Rod were 10cm shorter, he would be the same height as Stacy. Stacy is 67cm tall. How tall is he?

7/9 #1

An airplane was flying at an altitude of 1500 meters. A second airplane was flying at an altitude of 500 meters higher than the first. What conclusion can you draw from this?

7/9 #2

We all know that no 2-year-old can ride a bicycle. Danielle is 2 years old. So, what must be true?

7/11 #1

Anyone who is completely happy has no worries. Ms. Neuman has a few small worries. What must be true?

7/11 #2

Barry spends all of his spare time reading books. Mr. Darton is a grade school teacher. He belongs to a teacher’s bowling league. What must be true?

7/16 #1

Ezra likes milk better than lemonade. But he likes lemonade better than soda. Of these three drinks:a. Which does he like best?b. Which does he like least?

7/16 #2

Marsha’s mother sent Marsha to the store three times today. One time Marsha bought bread. Another time she bought hamburger. The other time she bought mustard. She bought the mustard before she bought the bread. She didn’t buy the hamburger last, but she didn’t buy it first, either.

What did Marsha buy on each of her three trips to the store?

7/18 #1

A SUPER-8 is more expensive than a TIGER. A LEOPARD is cheaper than a FASTCAR. A TIGER costs more than a FASTCAR. List these four products in order, starting with the one which costs the least.

7/18 #2

Celeste had an apple, a pear, and a banana. She put them in a row. She put the apple to the right of the pear. She put the banana to the right of the apple. Name the way she set the fruits from left to right.

7/23 #1

Amos had a grape, a lemon, and a watermelon. He put them in a row. He put the largest one in the middle. He put the smallest one to the right of the largest one. Name the way he set the fruits from left to right.

7/23 #2

The sum of the ages of Darlene and her mother is 29. Darlene’s age is 4. How old is Darlene’s mother?

7/25 #1

Two people share a ride to work each morning. Their first names are Sue and Terry. Their last names are Rawls and Peters. Sue is almost never ready on time. Terry drives a blue car. Rawls likes to watch TV. Peters is almost always ready on time. What is each person’s full name?

7/25 #2

Three years ago, Jefferson was a year older than his brother. Jefferson’s brother is now 6 years old. How old is Jefferson now?