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The Amazing Sri Nibong Hunt: Explanation of Answers

Nic — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 07:06:45 +0000

Update: See the Results and Prizes for the Winners of this hunt in this post.

EVENT : WALK HUNT
Here are the 10 questions followed by the signages. Have a try before looking at the answers below.

Q1. Obtain article with friends
Q2. It’s correct to collect hard money first off!
Q3. Sounds like a calling
Q4. This will give you back strain
Q5. Law gets broken in turning the corner
Q6. The only sibling, I hear
Q7. Keep as calm inside
Q8. One has got to go to see extinct creature
Q9. Wonderful religious feast observed on a Sunday by northerners initially
Q10. Two of a kind in a single digit

Answers Explanation

Q1. Obtain article with friends :
Obtain =get
Article =an
With = and
Friends = associates
Answer : G. E Tan & Associates

Q2.It’s correct to collect hard money first off!
Hard money = coin
First off = first letter of off = O
Correct = Fix
Fix “collects” coin+o ( collects is the key word )
Fi coin o x
Answer : FICOINOX

Q3. Sounds like a calling
“sounds like” is a homonym indicator – meaning that the answer sounds like a calling Other words for calling : vocation , carreer.
Answer : Carrier

Q4. This will give you back strain
This will give indicates that the answer will be back strain OR you back strain
You = U
Back strain = niarts
Together we have U niarts
Answer : UNIARTS

Q5. Law gets broken in turning the corner
“gets broken” is an anagram indicator and it applies to “law”
“turning” the corner means that we reverse corner or another word meaning corner
Another word for corner is nook
Then we have broken “law” in KOON
Answer : KAWLOON

Q6. The only sibling, I hear
“I hear” is a homonym indicator.
Only = SOLE
Sibling = sis, bro, sister. Brother
SOLESIS is a good possibility & since it sounds the same.
Answer : SOLSIS

Q7. Keep as calm inside
“inside” indicates a hidden word in Keep as calm
kee P AS CAL m
Answer : PASCAL

Q8. One has got to go to see extinct creature
“one’ has got to go means that ONE must leave answer and we will see extinct creature.
TONEREX – ONE = T REX
Answer : TONEREX

Q9. Wonderful religious feast observed on a Sunday by northerners initially
Religious feast observed ona Sunday = EASTER
“Northerners” initially means the first letter of Northerners which is N
EASTER is BY N = EASTERN
Wonderful = great
Answer : GREAT EASTERN

Q10. Two of a kind in a single digit
“two of a kind” = PAIR
“digit” in this case is either TOE or FINGER
PAIR in TOE
Answer: TOPAIRE

EVENT : PUZZLER'S CHALLENGE

A The answers to the following questions are related to the outdoor fitness equipment that line the pathway.

Q1.List down the equipment that can be used simultaneously by
a. 2 people
6
b.3 people
4

Q2. How many pieces of equipment have seats?
6

Q3. How many pieces of equipment have specific places for putting one's feet on?
10

Q4. Looking at the shortest equipment that can be used simultaneously by 3 people from a great height, draw the outline of what you will see in the box below.

B.The answers to the following questions are related to the kids play area which has a see saw

Q5. How many instances are there where a floor tile in this area is completely surrounded by similar tiles of a different colour?

Q6. There are 2 swings placed next to each other here.One being shorter swings slightly faster.for every 8 full swings of the shorter one, the longer one takes 5 full swings. (a full swing is the duration between the time when the swing goes from the highest point and the time it returns to the same highest point) If we say that the swings are in side by side when they are let go simultaneously from the same height, when will they be side by side next?
A. within 1 full swing of the shorter swing
B exactly after 1 full swing of the shorter swing
C exactly after 5 full swings of the shorter swing
D exactly after 8 full swings of the shorter swing

C.There are 3 bunches of similar trees located near the kids playground.

The answers to following questions are located at a bunch of similar trees except for 1 which comes from a different stock. (total number = 19)

Q7 Facing the odd tree but with your back to the tree with a capital, what direction would you be facing?

Q8 1 tree has a form of Malaysia carved on it. Write down what is carved.

Q9 In what year was Razinah menorialized on a tree?

Q10 What appears under "sky"?

The answers to the following questions refer to a bunch of palm like trees (16 in number)

Q11: Is it possible to walk from the first tree (nearest the plant shown in picture) to the tree furthest from it, by visiting each of the other trees in between only once and not crossing paths?
Yes

Q11a: If you were to start walking from the same first tree towards a similar tree nearest to it, then from that tree to another similar tree nearest to that and so on, will you ever reach the furthest tree from the first one?
(you cannot go back to the tree you just walked from as well as the one before that)
(nearest is defined as the shortest distance between trees as measured by footlengths on the ground between them)
No

The answers to folllowing questions are located at a third bunch of trees that all come from the same stock. (13 in total)

Q12 Using a giant rubberband to encircle the whole bunch of trees, how many trees would be physically touched by the band? (the band should be less than a foot above ground)
5 Trees

Q13 Then using another giant rubber band on the remaining trees how many trees would be physically touched by the second band? (the band should be less than a foot above ground)
5 Trees

EVENT :
a.NATURAL TREASURES

Bring in the natural treasures seen in the picture below. There are 5 kinds of leaf sets. Bring one of each and not more.

b.NATIONAL TREASURES

Name the states whose flags are shown below.

Penang

Terengganu

Malacca

Putrajaya

Negeri Sembilan

Engineer to Lead Mensa Programme

Nic — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:10:00 +0000

NOTE: Jayaram is one of the founders of The WebMazers.

The Sun
Updated: 06:57PM Thu, 15 Jul 2010
by Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN (July 15, 2010): A retired semiconductor engineer from Penang has become the only person outside of Europe and the United States to be selected for Mensa International’s pilot Leadership Programme.

: Jayaram with his certificate of appreciation.

Jayaram Menon, 58, is one of the seven Mensa members in the world to be chosen for the programme. The others are from the US and Europe (three each).

"I feel very fortunate and honoured to be chosen to undertake the international programme," he said.

In recognition of his achievement, the state government presented him with a RM500 award and a certificate of appreciation.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who presented the certificate and cash to Jayaram, said it is a proud moment for Penang that Jayaram was chosen from so many countries outside of Europe and the US. Jayaram, who worked at Renesas Semiconductor Sdn Bhd before he retired two years ago, is Malaysian Mensa Penang branch chairman.

He is actively involved in team building and treasure hunt activities.

He was invited to sit in at the Penang Science council (PSC) Task Force meeting at Lim’s office on Thursday due to his vast experience in the science and technology field. "I have organised Puzzler’s Challenges for the public, specifically for schools, to train students to solve mathematics or any subject-related problems in a more challenging way," he said. He said Penang Mensa is actively getting more students involved in such activities to help them think out of the box.

Mensa is a society for people whose IQ is 148 and above. -- theSun

Interview Questions from Webmazers to Claire Chin

Nic — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:39:29 +0000

Thank you for agreeing to this interview with Webmazers. As a participant and a winner in all Webmazers online hunts, we reckon that you are a true hunter and game for all kinds of challenges. Is that a correct assessment? Claire Chin: Yes that is true. I enjoy all forms of mental challenges, including treasure hunts of sorts.
Tell us a bit about yourself. Background, school, what you are doing now, and all your interests. Claire: I have a BSc. in Mathematics from University Science Malaysia and Master in Business Administration from University of Ballarat (Australia). At work, I’m currently involved in enterprise risk management and business analysis in the general insurance industry.I’m most passionate about treasure hunts and will join as many hunts as possible, which are usually organized on weekends, and all online hunts by Webmazers. Perhaps it was the similar nature of my studies, work and treasure hunts needing us to think analytically and laterally at the same time which endeared me to this exciting sport.
Since most participants of online hunts are actual treasure hunters, when did you start taking part in treasure hunts? Claire: If memory serves me right, my 1^st hunt was a closed motor hunt by invitation sometime end of 2006 and my 2^nd hunt was an open walk hunt in March 2007.
What was it about hunts that made you participate in more and more hunts? Claire: Treasure hunts pose a wide variety of challenges which I simply love. The challenges not only test our analytical skills, but also our ability to manage our time properly during a hunt, make quick decisions, work together as a team without throwing anyone out of the car, and many other forms of challenges. Cryptic questions in treasure hunts sharpen our minds and train us to think out of the box. It was also through participating in treasure hunts on weekends that I met many hunters with similar passion, and made several good friends who are hard to come by.
Was there anything in your past that gave you any indication that hunts would be a regular feature in your weekends? Claire: When I woke up every morning looking forward to the next hunt, and when I started getting “withdrawal symptoms” during weekends when there were no hunts, I knew I was addicted to it!
What were the main difficulties you faced in the early hunts that you took part in Claire: The biggest difficulty I faced when I first started hunting was forming a team. My friends and colleagues at that time did not share the same interest in hunts. Some would try out for once or twice and then called it quits. Most hunts (if not all), would require us to form a team of 2 to 4 persons. Finding 1 other person to join me was hard enough, let alone finding 3 others! I remember having to “drag” my friend to my 2^nd hunt in 2007 until we lost our umbrellas because we were looking at something else instead of searching for the answers. Luckily we ended up with lucky draws.Once a team was formed, the next difficulty was actually solving the questions. Well, I wouldn’t call that a difficulty, but more of a challenge. At the beginning, many of the questions looked like Greek!Working as a team was another big challenge. It’s not just about solving questions, but also interacting with 3 other people in a small enclosed space (a car) for several hours. 4 different people and we’ll have 4 different views.
What steps did you take to overcome specific difficulties encountered in Q6? Claire: I was fortunate to have met up with several other novice hunters with similar interests through a treasure hunt blog in 2007. We were all solo hunters at that time. Hence, we decided to test the waters and formed a team with each other. From then on, there was no turning back. As we got to know more people in the hunting fraternity, our team members changed as well.
Any specific advice regarding these difficulties for the new hunter? Claire: If you have difficulty in forming a team, do sign up with hunters-inc, a Yahoo Group for treasure hunters. There is a list of solo hunters looking for others to form teams.As for cracking cryptic questions, there is no short-cut to that except to practice, practice and practice! Join as many treasure hunts as possible, be it a walk hunt, motor hunt, or online hunt. Sometimes you may obtain past questions and answers from friends, but it’s never the same as being there and trying it out yourself.And what if you face difficulties working within your team? Well sometimes the more we work together, the more we get to know each other better. Be open to opinions and ideas from your team mates.
What is your opinion on the online hunts by Webmazers? Claire: I enjoy the online hunts by Webmazers very much. I must admit that when there is an online hunt going on, I’ll be carrying the questions around with me everywhere. Sometimes I get inspiration (to crack a question) in the weirdest places.
In what way do online hunts differ from treasure hunts in the area of questions? Claire: In my opinion, Webmazers’ online hunt questions are generally more challenging than the usual weekend treasure hunts. In a normal hunt, the time allotted will only be several hours, but the time allotted for an online hunt is about 10 days, giving us more time to truly savor the tougher questions.Another difference is that treasure hunts require us to work in a team of 2-4 persons, while online hunts are individual-based.Oh yes, having an internet connection is a must for online hunts!
Is time allotted (about 10 days) sufficient for the online hunter to crack the questions? Claire: Yes, in my opinion. However I wouldn’t mind being given 2 weeks as weekdays can get pretty hectic.
Any suggestions re the format of the 1^st 3 online hunts? Is the cryptic and the quiz division an acceptable feature? Claire: The division of cryptic and quiz questions is a good feature in Webmazers’ online hunts. In the 1^st 2 online hunts, there were 12 quiz questions and 18 cryptic questions, while in the 3^rd online hunt, there were 14 quiz questions and 16 cryptic questions. I usually enjoy having more cryptic questions. A division of 40% quiz and 60% cryptic questions is good. 
Any other comments on the format and scope of the questions? ( cryptic limited to the stand-alone phrases and titles and the quiz limited to detailed sentences) Claire: Limiting answers of the cryptic questions to stand-alone phrases and titles or short words gives participants a fair chance of solving the questions. Probably the quiz questions can be opened to any page and part of the website.What I adore most about Webmazers’ online hunts is the usage of a wide variety of cryptic techniques, infused with general knowledge ranging from music to physics to English literature. We get to enhance our cryptic solving skills and learn new things at the same time.
What were your favourite questions in each of the online hunts and why? Claire: Webmazers Hunt #1: My favorite question from the 1^st online hunt would be this: Q: “Ideally, VP doesn’t change when son takes over joint.” A: Coleslaw The surface reading of this question is smooth and leads us to imagine a company where the Vice President remains the same when son takes over. However, the explanation is far from that! Here, we get to learn about Boyle’s Law where for ideal gasses, the product of the volume (V) and pressure (P) remains constant. When we replace “co” (which is joint) with “boy” (which is son) in “Coleslaw”, we get “Boyleslaw”. This question combines wordplay and some knowledge on physics. Brilliant, isn’t it? Webmazers Hunt #2: My favorite question from the 2^nd online hunt would be this: Q: “Post fight analysis after TKO!” A: Gift Shop Yet again, this question had a smooth surface reading. What came to mind were some sports analysts doing a detailed analysis of a boxing match after the winner gave his opponent a technical knockout. But what was actually required here was a play of words. The letter “T” was to be “knocked out” from “Post fight” and the remaining letters to be scrambled to get “Gift Shop”. Webmazers Hunt #3: I had several favorites in this edition. If I were to choose one, it would be this: Q: “A mouldy chest is buried in the ground.” A: Perfect Shield Imagine carrying a shovel to dig for a buried treasure chest! A simple explanation of “mouldy” being the anagram indicator for “chest”, found within “field”, which is “ground” solves the question. I enjoy a question which tells an entirely different story from what it cryptically means, making us think laterally.
Do you find the questions different in quality from the RR treasure hunts ? If so , what are the differences? Claire: In term of questions, both RR treasure hunts and the Webmazers’ online hunts offer cryptic questions of the highest quality. Sometimes I do find that Webmazers’ online hunt questions to be a notch tougher, which is good seeing that participants are given several days to crack them.
Do you think that in doing the online hunts, you get a better idea of the products and/or services of the websites concerned? Claire: I certainly do! Before participating in the online hunts, I was not aware of some of the products/ services offered. Browsing through the websites concerned in search of the answers to the questions is certainly a more interesting way to attract visitors to the websites.
Do you think online hunting is an effective way of telling people in an entertaining way , the value and qualities of the products/and or services? Claire: As I have replied to your earlier question, online hunting is a more interesting way to attract people to browse through the websites. It is pretty effective too as it is not often that people read through the products/ services websites in such detail. In a nutshell, it is a good marketing tool.
One of the differences between online hunts and treasure hunts is that the first is individual –based and the 2^nd is team–based. Were you scared to take part in the beginning because it was individual based? Claire: Scared to take part? No. I did wonder if I could answer the cryptic questions on my own. At first glance, the questions did look rather daunting. But after successfully cracking a few questions, the sheer satisfaction was enough to drive me on. Both team-based and individual-based hunts present their own unique experiences and set of challenges. In a team-based hunt, we work as a team, while in an individual-based hunt like Webmazers’ online hunt, we get to challenge ourselves.To those who have yet to give online hunts a try, there is nothing to be afraid about. It is ok to make mistakes, but practice more and you’ll get the hang of it. Challenge yourselves to persevere.
In what personal way has the online hunt affected your approach to solving cryptic clues in actual treasure hunt? Claire: Practicing on the online hunt questions sharpened my ability to solve cryptic clues in an actual treasure hunt. It kept my mind sharp when there were no hunts on the weekends.
Any other comments on online hunts? Claire: When’s the next one? 

Thank you, Claire!.

Discussion

Nic — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:23:39 +0000

Apart from organising online treasure hunts, we'd like see Webmazers as a platform for hunt discussion. Please feel free to send us your thoughts so that we can post them here for discussion and learn from each other.

Below comments are sent by SinYL:

=================

C26. Ideally , VP doesn't change when son takes over joint.

My way of cracking it is:

VP = Verb Phrase
Phrase in mention = “when son takes over joint”
Verb Phrase = takes over
So when the VP doesn’t change but the other words are changed, we get:-
When = is
Son = lad
Joint = bar
Takes over = anagram indicator
So islad = salad
Answer = Salad Bar

=================

Jaymen says:
Your interpretation is close but not tight enough.
"ideally" is left out of your explanation.
Also "takes over" is a replacement indicator rather than an anagram indicator.