Thinking Skills
Every year Madrigal School has a school photograph taken. Eight teachers sit at the front in a row.
Question 1 · Multiple choice
Question
Every year Madrigal School has a school photograph taken. Eight teachers sit at the front in a row.
Mr None sits fifth from the left with Mrs O'Rourke and Mr Percival on either side.
Mr Rowley sits as far away from Mrs O'Rourke as possible.
Mr Stephen sits next to Mr Percival.
Miss Zenzer does not sit beside Mrs O'Rourke or Miss Trollope.
Mr Warlock sits three seats away from Mr None.
Options
Which one of the statements MUST be true?
- A.Miss Zenzer sits at the far left of the row.
- B.Mr Stephen sits next to Mrs O'Rourke.
- C.Mr Warlock sits next to Mr Percival.
- D.Miss Trollope sits at the far right of the row.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Miss Zenzer sits at the far left of the row.
Here is a step-by-step logical breakdown of how to solve this puzzle. We will set up the 8 seats in a row, numbered 1 to 8 from left to right, just like in the picture.
Step 1: Placing Mr None, Mrs O'Rourke, and Mr Percival
Clue: Mr None sits fifth from the left with Mrs O'Rourke and Mr Percival on either side.
The picture already shows Mrs O'Rourke sitting in the 4th seat from the left. Since Mr None is in the 5th seat, and Mrs O'Rourke is taking up the spot on his left (seat 4), Mr Percival must be sitting on his right, in seat 6.
[ 1. Empty ] [ 2. Empty ] [ 3. Empty ] [ 4. O'Rourke ] [ 5. None ] [ 6. Percival ] [ 7. Empty ] [ 8. Empty ]
Step 2: Placing Mr Rowley
Clue: Mr Rowley sits as far away from Mrs O'Rourke as possible.
Mrs O'Rourke is in seat 4. Let's look at the two ends of the row:
- Seat 1 is three seats away from her.
- Seat 8 is four seats away from her.
Since seat 8 is the furthest possible distance away, Mr Rowley must sit there.
[ 1. Empty ] [ 2. Empty ] [ 3. Empty ] [ 4. O'Rourke ] [ 5. None ] [ 6. Percival ] [ 7. Empty ] [ 8. Rowley ]
Step 3: Placing Mr Stephen
Clue: Mr Stephen sits next to Mr Percival.
Mr Percival is in seat 6. The seats next to him are 5 and 7. Seat 5 is already taken by Mr None, so Mr Stephen must sit in seat 7.
[ 1. Empty ] [ 2. Empty ] [ 3. Empty ] [ 4. O'Rourke ] [ 5. None ] [ 6. Percival ] [ 7. Stephen ] [ 8. Rowley ]
Step 4: Placing Mr Warlock
Clue: Mr Warlock sits three seats away from Mr None.
Mr None is in seat 5. Three seats away would be:
- Going right: Seat 8 (5 + 3 = 8) — but Mr Rowley is already there!
- Going left: Seat 2 (5 − 3 = 2) ✓
Therefore, Mr Warlock must sit in seat 2.
[ 1. Empty ] [ 2. Warlock ] [ 3. Empty ] [ 4. O'Rourke ] [ 5. None ] [ 6. Percival ] [ 7. Stephen ] [ 8. Rowley ]
Step 5: Placing Miss Zenzer and Miss Trollope
Clue: Miss Zenzer does not sit beside Mrs O'Rourke or Miss Trollope.
Only two empty seats remain: seat 1 and seat 3.
- If Miss Zenzer sits in seat 3, she would be right next to Mrs O'Rourke (seat 4) — not allowed!
- Therefore, Miss Zenzer must sit in seat 1, leaving seat 3 for Miss Trollope.
Final seating plan:
[ 1. Zenzer ] [ 2. Warlock ] [ 3. Trollope ] [ 4. O'Rourke ] [ 5. None ] [ 6. Percival ] [ 7. Stephen ] [ 8. Rowley ]
Checking the Options
- A. Miss Zenzer sits at the far left of the row. ✓ True — she is in seat 1.
- B. Mr Stephen sits next to Mrs O'Rourke. ✗ False — they are separated by Mr None and Mr Percival.
- C. Mr Warlock sits next to Mr Percival. ✗ False — they are far apart.
- D. Miss Trollope sits at the far right of the row. ✗ False — Mr Rowley is at the far right.