Teachers in this school always lie…

This is another version of a well known task based on the idea that there are two people/groups. One of which always lies whereas the other always tell the truth. All you need to do is read to your students the following story and give them some time to come up with an answer.

You can adapt the following idea and change the stories background. It doesn’t have to be a school, nor does it have to be teachers, but for example political parties (be careful!). Use your imagination and adjust the story so that it fits into the culture or age of your learners.

The idea comes from Straightforward Intermediate Teacher’s Book p. 220:

Teaching Idea

Fiona’s family moved to Oddtown last week. She’s going to start at a new school today – but there’s one small problem…

There are two schools in Oddtown.
The two schoold are next to each other.
Because the schools are close together they share one main gate.
There is no sign to tell students which school is which.
In one school all the teachers always tell the truth.
In the other school all the teachers always lie.
Every new student must choose a school when they arrive at the main gate.
When a new student arrives at the gate she will meet a teacher from one of the schools. (She doesn’t know which!)
The new student is allowed to ask the teacher only one question.
Now Fiona is standing at the gate. She really wants to go to the “truth” school.
What one question must she ask?
And what should she do when she gets the answer?

The answer

She should ask the qustion: In which school do you teach?and go to whichever school the teacher points.

Why? Because if the teacher is from the lying school, s/he will point at the “truth” school. If the teacher is from the truth school, s/he will point at the “truth” school as well!