I failed it. See if you can do better
THIS MORNING MY friend Doug Eu sent me an email. It seems he is worried about getting dementia. This is ridiculous as he is one of the sharpest people I know. Anyway, he sent me a list of things to do which stave off mental deterioration. 1) Learn an instrument; 2) Have a hobby; 3) Play Monopoly; 4) Do things with the other hand; 5) Meditate; 6) Join a social group; etc.
I was about to tell him off for panicking needlessly, when a reader sent me this dementia test (original author’s name sadly not attached) below.
I got every question wrong!
See if you can do better than I did.
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FIRST QUESTION
You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?
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[Answer first, then scroll down]
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ANSWER
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Do you answer “first”?
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Most people do.
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The correct answer is second.
You overtook the second person, therefore you have taken his place: you are second.
Try not to screw up in the next question.
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SECOND QUESTION
In another race, you overtake the last person, so you are...?
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[Answer first, then scroll down]
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Answer:
Did you answer “second to last”?
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Most people do.
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You cannot overtake the LAST person, because no runner can be behind the last runner. Either the question doesn’t make sense, or you are not one of the contestants.
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THIRD QUESTION
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Mary's father has five daughters:
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1. Nana
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2. Nene
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3. Nini
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4. Nono
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Question: What is the name of the fifth daughter?
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[Answer first, then scroll down]
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Answer:
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Did you answer Nunu?
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Most people do.
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Her name is Mary. Read the question again and you’ll see that’s the only possible answer.
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LAST QUESTION
Mental maths. Do this in your head.
Take 1000 and add 40 to it.
Now add another 1000.
Now add 30.
Add another 1000.
Now add 20.
Now add another 1000
Now add 10.
What is the total?
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[Answer first, then scroll down]
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Answer:
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Did you get 5000?
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Most people do.
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The correct answer is actually 4100.
Check it with a calculator if you don’t believe it.
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Diagnosis:
If you get the same answers as most of us, sorry, your brain is GONE.
Never mind. There are a lot of us about.
