← Curifold Puzzle School · 7 minutes ·
Ada, Ben and Cleo arrive at different times—nine, ten or eleven—and bring different objects: key, map or torch. Each object and time is used once. A coded note supplies one clue. Solve the full record, then audit every clue.
- Decode the note
- Combine people, times and objects
- Audit every original clue
The idea
Decode the note first, then record its ordinary meaning. Keep the time and object categories separate until a clue connects them. When a remaining item seems obvious, name the exclusions that leave it. Finally check the original clues again, including the one-to-one rules. Completion means one consistent full assignment, not merely one likely-looking answer.
Try it yourself
The clues
- Decode CFO NBQ by shifting each letter back one alphabet place. The message gives a person and object.
- The map arrived at ten.
- Ada arrived before the map.
- Cleo did not bring the key.
- Each person, object and time is used once.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Key | Encode by shifting forward 1; Z wraps to A. |
| Note | CFO NBQ |
| Record | Ada / Ben / Cleo: object and arrival time. |
| Person | Key | Map | Torch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada | |||
| Ben | |||
| Cleo |
Hint 1
Decode both words letter by letter.
Hint 2
Ben has map/ten; Ada’s earlier time must be nine.
Hint 3
Cleo cannot take the key or Ben’s map. Which object remains?
What does the note say?
C→B, F→E, O→N; N→M, B→A, Q→P. Ben has the map.
This looks like a clue but does not decode the actual letters.
This shifts forward again instead of undoing the supplied key.
Read all responses and explanations
BEN MAP
C→B, F→E, O→N; N→M, B→A, Q→P. Ben has the map.
ADA KEY
This looks like a clue but does not decode the actual letters.
DGP OCR
This shifts forward again instead of undoing the supplied key.
Which complete record fits?
Ben’s map fixes ten. Ada is earlier at nine. Cleo takes eleven and cannot have the key, leaving torch for Cleo and key for Ada.
Cleo’s key contradicts the explicit not-key clue.
Ada must arrive before ten, not at eleven.
Read all responses and explanations
Ada key/nine; Ben map/ten; Cleo torch/eleven.
Ben’s map fixes ten. Ada is earlier at nine. Cleo takes eleven and cannot have the key, leaving torch for Cleo and key for Ada.
Ada torch/nine; Ben map/ten; Cleo key/eleven.
Cleo’s key contradicts the explicit not-key clue.
Ada key/eleven; Ben map/ten; Cleo torch/nine.
Ada must arrive before ten, not at eleven.
Reveal the complete solution
Ada key/nine; Ben map/ten; Cleo torch/eleven. The decoded note fixes Ben’s object, and the map clue his time. Ada’s time follows from before-ten. The remaining time and object exclusions finish Cleo and Ada. Only one of 36 object/time combinations survives.
Make it your own
Explain the solution without pointing to the answer. Let an imaginary learner challenge a step and name the rule supporting it. Choose an earlier lesson to revisit for the hardest part: decoding, elimination, joining clues or auditing.
Your takeaway
- Draw people and object columns
- Keep an arrival-time record
- Decode the note
- Write the complete assignment
- Audit every clue and uniqueness
No account required. Completion is saved only on this device. Answers and notes disappear when you leave or reload this page. The printable sheet is blank for your own notes.
Original fictional educational practice, separate from the puzzles sold in the books. Use the stated rules; there is no speed target or score.
Read the related journal guide · Continue exploring the lessons
Original educational content by Andrew Stinson Books, developed with AI assistance. Our editorial approach.