CHARIS HOSPICE HUNT 2011
BRIEFING NOTES****
how to decode questions
Two skills are needed :
1)to solve the clue in the question
2)ability to spot the answer
STEPS:
1)Look for KEYWORD in question.
2)Interpret the question w.r.t the keyword.
3)List down possible answers.
4)Look out for ACTUAL answer.
STEP 1:Look for KEYWORD in question.
The keyword is an “action” word and indicates what you have to do with the other words in the question.If you cannot find any keyword then the chances are that the question is straight.Take it as it is. Interpret it in a direct manner.
STEP 2:Interpret the question w.r.t the keyword.
If there is a keyword then to what does it apply to?Look at neighbouring words and establish whether there are connections.Then apply the keywords to the related words.
STEP 3:List down possible answers
Once you have applied the keyword then it is important to list down possible answers.Then only should you look out for the actual answer.
STEP 4:Look out for ACTUAL answer
Verify your deductions by looking out for the ACTUAL answer.Sometimes , when you cannot crack the question fully, look around for possibilities that at least fit the question partially.Then apply steps 1~3 to FULLY fit the answer to the question given.
All answers are visible from vehicle.However, at some spots its advisable to get out to check.
Write answers in full.
Do not spend too much time to solve the questions. Some questions are harder than others.
Note down the usual suspects and continue hunting.
Examples:
Q1 Part Ten
Step 1:keyword no keyword
Step 2: “part” bit,duty,allot,dissect,sever,role,etc and ten can be written as x
Step 3:Look for any of the above.
Step 4: ROLE + X
Step4 : answer is ROLEX
Q2 Sounds like we are asking the lady to give us a lift
Step 1:keyword sounds
Step 2: so the answer sounds as if we are asking the lady to give us a lift
Step 2: other words for LIFT is ELEVATOR
Step 3:Look for Elevator
Step 4:we see MS Elevators (sounds like Miss, elevate us)
Step 4: answer : MS Elevators
Q3 One in my transformer
Step1:keyword : in
Step2: “one” IN my = M ONE Y
Step 3: transformer= changer
Step 3: look for Money Changer
Step 4:answer is MONEY CHANGER
Q4 Snaps from within
Step1:keyword : within ( this is a container clue )
Step2: The answer is within “snaps from”.
Step 2: In this case its PSF
Step3: look for PSF
Step 4:answer is PSF
Q5 Don’t have locally
Step1:keyword : locally
Step2: locally means that we have to look for answers in Bahasa
Step 2: Don’t “ have” in Bahasa is Tak ada
Step3: look for Takada
Step 4:answer is TAKADA
Q6 Pass on when I leave
Step1:keyword : leave
Step 2: O it could mean that when I leave we have PASS ON
Step 2: Could be PASSION
Step3: PASSION – I = PASS ON.
Step4:answer is PASSION
Q7 Strangely,it’s the result of women getting a level of equality
Step1:keyword : strangely (anagram indicator)
Step 2: a level of equality = PAR
Step 2: result of WOMEN + PAR (strangely)
Step3: Look for MANPOWER.
Step4:answer is MANPOWER
Summary
From the examples, we can see that the KEYWORD plays a crucial part in decoding the question. Some of the more popular Keywords involve homonyms (similar sounding words), anagrams, word-within-word, additions, subtractions, reversals and initials.
INTERPRETATIONS involve equivalent words as well as general knowledge and their manipulation.
Finally, check out POSSIBLE ANSWERS by OBSERVATION of the sector and VERIFYING whether the answer fits the question perfectly.
Typical general knowledge would be newsworthy items, history, geography, arts & sciences, abbreviations, acronyms, popular phrases and trivia.
COMMON REFERENCES
Points : refers to N,W,E,S ( cardinal points )
Notes : refers to A,B,C,D,E,F,G ( musical notes ) DO, RE, MI,etc
Start,beginning,first,etc : might refer to the first letter of a neighbouring word or to all words
End,finish,etc : might refer to the last letter of a neighbouring word or all words.
Words that sound like letters : C = sea ; B = bee etc (no sound indicator needed)
Anagram indicators: broken, hidden, in a mess, arrange, spread, etc
Names(first and second) : If the question mentions Stallone ,then you must keep Sly in mind when figuring out the answer.
Numbers : When you see number is a question ,you might have to keep in mind Roman numerals.
Example 1000 = M ,100 = C, 50 = L
Initials : Initially, heading, first,etc
Back : on reflection, mirrorred, return,etc
Short forms : Right = R, Left = L
HAVE at least 2 DICTIONARIES AND THESAURUS for easy reference.
NEW FEATURE : CRY-PICS ( C P)
Usually the clue refers to a written sign. In cry-pics it refers to the image/picture associated with the written sign.
CP1: Its made up of 3 ellipses.
Answer : Toyota. ( The clue refers to the Toyota logo. But the answer to be written down is TOYOTA )
So, a normal question will be indicated as Q1, Q2 , etc.
But A cry-pics question will be indicated as CP1, CP2, etc.
TREASURES
A treasure is something that you must buy, collect , pick-up or exchange anywhere between Start and Finish . The treasures are to be handed in to the Clerk-of Course ( COC ).
Treasure questions differ from the normal questions in that the clues are given in verses or codes. The steps in solving the clues, is the same as in solving questions. However, in a treasure question there are usually more than 1 clue. While some lines are used to make the treasure clue rhyme better, each line, more often than not, is used to give one characteristic of the treasure so that all clues finally point to the item that is required.
Careful analysis of the treasure clues is therefore required.
Note: Treasure may be kept or returned at the discretion of the Clerk-of -Course
Examples:
T1: Think of hot , in the local language,
And the answer is not so complex.
Now just cut the end out,
And the first part is obtained.
To it you need to add Half a dollar to the back.
Some may need it with all the runaround
Spare me a couple for your points to abound!
Just bring one from the pack
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HOT = PANAS
Cut off the end = PANA
Half a dollar = DOL or LAR
Ans : PANADOL
