← Curifold Puzzle School · 7 minutes ·
At the village reading room, three volunteers each brought one different object: a key, a map or a torch. Every person brought exactly one object, and every object belongs to exactly one person. Your task is to work out who brought what.
- Read the clue
- Mark what it proves
- Check every clue
The idea
Make one row per person and one column per object. A definite match rules out the other objects in that row and the other people in that column. A clue saying someone did not bring an object rules out just that pairing. Use only the information given; a name or a personality guess is not evidence.
Try it yourself
The clues
- Nora brought the map.
- Eli did not bring the key.
| Person | Key | Map | Torch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nora | |||
| Eli | |||
| Sam |
Show a hint
Start by placing Nora’s map. Then apply the clue about Eli. Which object is still possible for him?
Who brought the key?
Nora brought the map, and each person brought exactly one object. She cannot also have the key.
The second clue explicitly rules out Eli bringing the key.
Correct. Nora has the map. Eli cannot have the key or Nora’s map, so Eli has the torch. That leaves the key for Sam.
Read all responses and explanations
Nora
Nora brought the map, and each person brought exactly one object. She cannot also have the key.
Eli
The second clue explicitly rules out Eli bringing the key.
Sam
Correct. Nora has the map. Eli cannot have the key or Nora’s map, so Eli has the torch. That leaves the key for Sam.
Reveal the complete solution
Nora → map; Eli → torch; Sam → key. Nora’s map removes that object from Eli and Sam. Eli cannot have the key, so his only remaining object is the torch. Sam takes the remaining key. All clues hold and there is only one assignment.
Make it your own
Change the second clue to “Sam did not bring the key.” Solve again. The map stays with Nora; now Sam must have the torch and Eli must have the key. Explain why the answer changed.
Your takeaway
- Draw three rows: Nora, Eli, Sam.
- Draw three columns: Key, Map, Torch.
- Mark a definite match with a tick and an impossible match with a cross.
- Who brought each object?
- Which clue justified your final step?
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This is an original fictional practice puzzle. It is separate from the puzzles sold in the books. No speed target or score is needed.
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Original educational content by Andrew Stinson Books, developed with AI assistance. Our editorial approach.