The image above shows a handwritten riddle on a piece of lined paper. It reads: “There are 5 sisters in the room. Ann is reading a book. Margaret is cooking. Kate is playing chess. Marie is doing laundry. So, what is the fifth sister doing?” This is a classic brain teaser that has confused many people. It is a simple puzzle, but it requires you to think carefully about the details.
The Common Mistake
Most people try to solve this riddle by looking for a pattern in the activities. They might think the fifth sister is doing something related to the others. They might guess she is cleaning, or gardening, or doing something else. But the answer is not about the activity. It is about the wording of the riddle.
The Correct Answer
The fifth sister is playing chess. Here is why. The riddle says that Kate is playing chess. Chess is a game that requires two players. If Kate is playing chess, she must be playing against someone. The only other person in the room who could be playing with her is one of her sisters. Since the other sisters are busy with their own activities, the fifth sister must be the one playing chess with Kate. The riddle does not name the fifth sister, but it tells you what she is doing.
Why This Riddle Works
This riddle works because it plays with your assumptions. You assume that each sister is doing a separate activity. You forget that some activities, like chess, require a partner. The answer is hidden in plain sight. It is a clever way to test your attention to detail and your ability to think logically.
The Bottom Line
The answer to the riddle is that the fifth sister is playing chess. It is a fun and simple brain teaser that teaches an important lesson. Always read the question carefully. Look for the details that are not immediately obvious. The answer is often right in front of you.
Did you get the right answer? Share this riddle with your friends and see if they can solve it.
