21st Century Skills - Learning Problem Solving: Critical Thinking ... - Free Printable

Let’s solve each puzzle one by one. These are word and picture puzzles — you need to think about what the words or images suggest together.

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Puzzle 1:
- Letter “P” + picture of an eye → “P” + “eye” = Pie? Wait, that doesn’t fit well.
Actually, “P” next to “eye” sounds like “Pea-eye” → but that’s not right either.
Wait — maybe it’s “P” + “I” (since “eye” sounds like “I”) → “PI”? Still not great.
Hold on — perhaps it’s “P” over “eye”? No, they’re side by side.
Another idea: “P” + “eye” = “P-eye” → say it fast: “Pie”? But that’s a food.
Wait — maybe it’s “P” as in “pee” + “eye” = “pee-eye” → still not helping.
Let’s try phonetics: “P” is pronounced “pee”, “eye” is “I” → “pee I” → “PI”? Not useful.
Alternative approach: Maybe it’s “P” + “sight” (because eye sees) → “Psight”? No.
Wait — what if we read it as “P” followed by “I” (from eye) → “PI” → but that’s math.
Hmm… Let’s skip and come back.

Actually — common puzzle trick: “P” + “eye” = “P-eye” → sounds like “pie” — but that’s not clever enough.
Wait — another thought: “P” is before “eye” → “pre-eye”? No.
Perhaps it’s “P” + “look” (eye looks) → “Plook”? No.
Let me think differently: What word has “P” and relates to “eye”? Like “pupil”? But pupil is part of eye.
Wait — maybe it’s “P” + “I” = “PI” → but again, not fitting.
Hold on — perhaps it’s “P” as in “see” (homophone for sea? No).
Another angle: In rebus puzzles, sometimes position matters. Here, P is left, eye is right → so “P” then “I” → “PI”. But that’s not a word puzzle answer usually.
Wait — maybe it’s “P” + “vision” → no.
Let’s look at others first.

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Puzzle 2:
Word “RIGHT” above a nose.
Nose is on the face — “right” could mean direction or correct.
But “right” above nose → “right nose”? Or “correct nose”?
Wait — “right” can also mean “not left”. So “right nose” might imply “nose on the right side”? But that’s literal.
Another idea: “Right” + “nose” → “rhino”? Because “rhino” sounds like “right nose”? Rhinoceros! Yes!
“Right” sounds like “rhy” (if you stretch), but actually “right” + “nose” = “rhino” — because “rhino” comes from Greek “rhinos” meaning nose, and “right” sounds similar to “rhi-”.
Yes — this is a homophone puzzle: “RIGHT” + “NOSE” → “RHINO” (as in rhinoceros).

So Puzzle 2: Rhino

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Puzzle 3:
“WEAR” over “LONG” with a line between them.
This suggests “wear long” — but what phrase uses that?
Maybe “wear long” as in clothing? Like “long wear”?
Or perhaps it’s “underwear”? Because “wear” is under “long”? No, “wear” is above “long”.
Wait — “wear” over “long” → “overwear long”? No.
Another idea: “Wear” + “long” = “longwear”? Not a word.
Perhaps it’s “long underwear”? But how does “wear” over “long” give that?
Wait — maybe it’s “long johns”? But where’s “johns”?
Think phonetically: “Wear” sounds like “where”, but not helpful.
Another approach: The line between them might mean “minus” or “separate”.
“Wear” minus “long”? Doesn’t make sense.
Perhaps it’s “wear” and “long” combined to form a compound word.
What about “long-wearing”? That’s an adjective.
But let’s think of common phrases: “Long wear” isn’t standard.
Wait — what if it’s “underwear”? Because “wear” is below something? But here “wear” is above “long”.
Unless... the line means “below”, so “wear” is below “long”? No, visually “wear” is on top.
Perhaps it’s “long” under “wear” → so “wear-long” → “longwear” → still not good.
Another idea: “Wear” + “long” = “longtime”? No.
Let’s consider: “Long” could be time, “wear” could be clothes — “long-lasting wear”? Too vague.
Wait — perhaps it’s “long johns” — but how?
Maybe “wear” is “underwear”, and “long” modifies it → “long underwear” → which is “long johns”.
But the puzzle says “WEAR” over “LONG” — so if “wear” is above, maybe it’s “top wear” or something.
I recall a common puzzle: “wear” over “long” = “long underwear” because “under” is implied by the position? But “wear” is on top, not under.
Unless the line represents “under”, so “wear” is under “long”? But visually it’s written with “wear” on top.
Perhaps it’s “long” under “wear” → so “wear” contains “long” underneath → “longwear” → not working.
Let’s try sound: “Wear long” said fast — “werlong”? No.
Another thought: “Long” can mean “for a long time”, “wear” can mean “to put on clothes” — so “wear for a long time” → “durable”? Not specific.
Perhaps it’s “endurance”? No.
Wait — I think I got it: “Wear” over “long” might mean “overlong wear” — but that’s not a phrase.
Let’s look online memory: Common answer for “wear over long” is “long underwear” — assuming the line means “under”, so “wear” is under “long” — but in the image, “wear” is above “long”, so maybe the line indicates separation, and we read it as “long wear” which is not standard.
Perhaps it’s “long-sleeved”? But no “sleeved”.
Another idea: “Wear” + “long” = “longtime friend”? No.
Let’s move on and come back.

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Puzzle 4:
Pan, pie, flower.
Pan + pie + flower.
Say them: pan-pie-flower.
Sounds like “pantry flower”? No.
“Pan” + “pie” = “panpie”? Not a word.
“Pie” + “flower” = “pieflower”? No.
Perhaps it’s “pan” as in cooking, “pie” as food, “flower” as plant — what do they have in common? Garden? Kitchen?
Another idea: Homophones.
“Pan” sounds like “pan”, “pie” sounds like “pi”, “flower” sounds like “flour”.
Oh! “Flower” sounds like “flour”!
So: pan + pie + flour → “pan pie flour” — still not good.
But “pan” + “pie” + “flour” — if you combine: “pancake”? Because pancakes use flour, and are cooked in a pan, and sometimes have syrup like pie? Stretch.
“Pan” + “flour” = “panflour” → not a word.
Wait — “pie” and “flour” — pie crust uses flour.
But all three: pan, pie, flour — perhaps “baking ingredients”? Too broad.
Another approach: Say the words quickly: “pan pie flower” — sounds like “pantry flour”? No.
“Pan” + “pie” = “panpie” — not real.
Perhaps it’s “apple pie” but no apple.
Wait — “flower” is “flour”, so “pan” + “pie” + “flour” — if you take “pan” and “flour”, you get “panflour” — not helpful.
What if it’s “pan” as in metal, “pie” as dessert, “flower” as bloom — what word combines them?
I recall: “Pan” + “pie” + “flower” = “pantry” ? No.
Another idea: “Pan” can mean to criticize, “pie” can mean foolish person, “flower” can mean best — not helping.
Let’s think of compound words: “Sunflower” but no sun.
Perhaps it’s “marigold” — no.
Wait — “pan” + “flower” = “panflower” — not a thing.
“Pie” + “flower” = “pieflower” — no.
Perhaps it’s “tulip” — no.
Let’s try pronunciation: “Pan” /pæn/, “pie” /paɪ/, “flower” /flaʊər/ — combine syllables: pæn-paɪ-flaʊər — not forming a word.
Another thought: “Pan” might be “frying pan”, “pie” is baked, “flower” is grown — so “kitchen garden”? Not single word.
Perhaps it’s “recipe”? Too vague.
I think I remember now: “Pan” + “pie” + “flower” (as flour) = “pancake” because pancakes are made with flour, cooked in a pan, and sometimes served with syrup like pie filling? But that’s weak.
Wait — “pie” and “flour” make pie crust, “pan” makes it — so “pie pan”? But that’s two words.
The puzzle likely wants one word or phrase.
Let’s consider: “Pan” + “pie” = “panpie” — not real.
Perhaps it’s “quiche” — no.
Another idea: “Flower” is “flour”, so “pan” + “pie” + “flour” — if you rearrange: “flour pan pie” — still not.
What if it’s “batter”? Because batter is used for pancakes and pies, and made with flour. But “pan” is there.
“Batter” doesn’t include “pan” directly.
Perhaps it’s “mix” — too vague.
Let’s skip and come back.

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Puzzle 5:
“STANDING” over “MIS” with a line.
“Standing” above “mis”.
“Mis” is prefix for wrong, like mistake.
“Standing mis” — what phrase?
“Misstanding”? Not a word.
“Standing” could mean upright, “mis” could mean bad — “bad standing”? Like credit standing?
But “mis” is below, so perhaps “mis” under “standing” → “standing mis” → “misunderstanding”?
Yes! “Mis” + “under” + “standing” — but here it’s “standing” over “mis”, so if the line means “under”, then “mis” is under “standing”, so “standing” has “mis” underneath — which could imply “mis-under-standing” — but “under” is missing.
In rebus puzzles, sometimes the position implies the word “under”.
So “standing” with “mis” below it → “mis-under-standing” → “misunderstanding”.
That makes sense!

So Puzzle 5: Misunderstanding

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Puzzle 6:
“RO” + fork + “AD”
Fork is in the middle.
“RO” and “AD” with fork between.
Fork can mean “fork in the road” or just utensil.
“RO” + “fork” + “AD” — say it: ro-fork-ad.
Sounds like “road fork ad”? No.
“Fork” can be “pronged”, but not helpful.
Another idea: “Fork” sounds like “for k” — not good.
Perhaps “fork” represents the letter “K” because it has prongs? Unlikely.
“RO” + “AD” = “ROAD”, and fork is in the middle — so “road” with a fork in it → “fork in the road”?
But that’s a phrase, not a single word.
The puzzle might want “fork in the road”, but let’s see if there’s a better fit.
“RO” and “AD” are parts of “road”, and fork is inserted — so “road” split by fork → “forked road”?
Still not ideal.
Another thought: “Fork” can mean to divide, so “ro” divided “ad” — not clear.
Perhaps it’s “board” — no.
Let’s think phonetically: “RO” /roʊ/, “fork” /fɔːrk/, “AD” /æd/ — combine: ro-fork-ad — not forming a word.
What if “fork” is “for” + “k”, but “k” is silent.
Another idea: “Fork” might represent the word “for” because it’s a tool for eating, but not strong.
Perhaps it’s “road” with “fork” replacing the “o” or something — “rforkad”? No.
I recall a common puzzle: “RO” + fork + “AD” = “road” with fork in it, but the answer is often “fork in the road” — but that’s four words.
Maybe it’s “intersection”? Too broad.
Wait — “fork” can be “branch”, so “road branch” — not good.
Another approach: “RO” and “AD” are prefixes/suffixes.
“RO” could be “row”, “AD” could be “add”.
“Row” + “fork” + “add” — not helping.
Perhaps it’s “record” — no.
Let’s consider: “Fork” might be “prong”, so “ro-prong-ad” — no.
I think the intended answer is “fork in the road”, but since it’s a single box, maybe it’s “crossroads” or “junction”.
But let’s check online memory: For “RO” + fork + “AD”, the answer is often “road” with the fork indicating a fork in the road, so the phrase is “fork in the road”.
But perhaps for this context, it’s “roadfork” — not a word.
Another idea: “Fork” sounds like “for k”, and “RO” + “for k” + “AD” = “ro for k ad” — not good.
Perhaps it’s “abroad” — no.
Let’s move on.

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Puzzle 7:
Horse + “RA” + plate.
Horse, then “RA”, then plate.
Plate can be dish or tectonic plate, but likely dish.
“Horse ra plate” — say it: horse-ra-plate.
Sounds like “horseradish plate”? Horseradish is a condiment, often served on a plate.
“Horse” + “radish” — but here it’s “RA” and “plate”.
“RA” could be part of “radish” — “ra” + “dish” = “radish”, and “dish” is represented by plate.
Yes! Plate = dish, so “RA” + “dish” = “radish”, and “horse” + “radish” = “horseradish”.
Perfect!

So Puzzle 7: Horseradish

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Puzzle 8:
Two red dice + plus sign + two red dice.
Dice show numbers. First pair: one die shows 5 dots, other shows 6 dots? Let's count.
First group: left die has 5 dots (four corners and center), right die has 6 dots (two columns of three).
So 5 + 6 = 11.
Second group: left die has 4 dots (square), right die has 5 dots (like first left die).
So 4 + 5 = 9.
Then 11 + 9 = 20.
But is that the answer? The puzzle might want the sum.
But let's confirm the dots.
In the image:
- First die pair: left die: top row 2 dots, middle 1, bottom 2 — total 5.
Right die: top row 3, bottom row 3 — total 6. So 5+6=11.
Second pair: left die: 2x2 grid — 4 dots.
Right die: same as first left — 5 dots. So 4+5=9.
Total: 11 + 9 = 20.
But is there a trick? Dice are identical in color, etc.
Perhaps it's the number of dots altogether: 5+6+4+5=20.
Same thing.
So Puzzle 8: 20

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Puzzle 9:
Letters B, E, A, T around a bush/tree.
Bush is in the center, letters around it: B left, E top, A right, T bottom.
So B, E, A, T surrounding a bush.
"Bush" is plant, so perhaps "bush" is the key.
Letters B,E,A,T — if you arrange them, "beat" or "bate".
With bush in middle, so "bush" inside "beat"? "be-bush-at"? No.
Perhaps "bush" is "shrub", but not matching.
Another idea: "B" + "bush" + "A" + "T" — not good.
The bush might represent "tree" or "plant".
Letters around it: B, E, A, T — which spell "BEAT" or "BATE".
If the bush is in the center, perhaps it's "beat around the bush"!
Yes! That's a common idiom.
"Beat around the bush" means to avoid talking about something directly.
Here, letters B,E,A,T are around the bush, so "beat around the bush".

So Puzzle 9: Beat around the bush

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Now go back to earlier puzzles.

Puzzle 1: P + eye
"P" and "eye" — "eye" sounds like "I", so "P" + "I" = "PI".
But "pi" is a number, not very creative.
Another idea: "P" is before "eye", so "pre-eye" — not good.
Perhaps "P" as in "see" (homophone for sea? No).
Wait — "eye" can be "sight", so "P sight" — "psight"? No.
Common answer for this type: "P" + "eye" = "pie" — but that's simple.
Or "peep" — no.
Another thought: "P" + "look" = "plook"? No.
Perhaps it's "pupil" — but pupil is part of eye.
I recall: in some puzzles, "P" + "eye" = "pie" because "P" sounds like "pee", "eye" like "I", "pee I" = "pi", but "pi" is not "pie".
Unless it's "pie" as in the food, and "P" is the first letter, "eye" is the shape? Eye is round like pie? Weak.
Let's think differently: "P" is blue, eye is brown — not relevant.
Perhaps it's "optical" — no.
Another idea: "P" for "photograph", "eye" for "vision" — "photo-vision"? No.
I found a better one: "P" + "eye" = "peep" — because "peep" means to look quickly, and "P" + "eep" but "eye" is not "eep".
"Eye" can be "i", so "P" + "i" = "Pi", and "Pi" is associated with circles, and eye is circular — so "pi" for circle.
But still not satisfactory.
Wait — perhaps it's "sightseeing" — no.
Let's consider: "P" might stand for "picture", "eye" for "see", so "picture see" — "photos"? Not good.
I think the intended answer is "pie" — as in the food, because "P" + "I" (from eye) = "PI", and "PI" sounds like "pie".
Yes, that's common in rebuses: homophones.
So "P" + "eye" (sounds like "I") = "PI" = "pie".

So Puzzle 1: Pie

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Puzzle 3: WEAR over LONG
As discussed, likely "long underwear" or "long johns".
Since "wear" is above "long", and the line might indicate that "long" is under "wear", so "wear" with "long" underneath = "long wear" — but that's not standard.
In many sources, "wear" over "long" is interpreted as "long underwear" because the line suggests "under", so "long" is under "wear", hence "long underwear".
Even though visually "wear" is on top, the line between them implies separation with "long" being beneath in meaning.
So Puzzle 3: Long underwear or Long johns

"Long johns" is more colloquial, but "long underwear" is descriptive.
I think "long underwear" is fine.

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Puzzle 4: Pan, pie, flower
As "flower" sounds like "flour", so pan, pie, flour.
What do these make? Pancakes! Because pancakes are made with flour, cooked in a pan, and sometimes have toppings like pie fillings.
But "pie" is separate.
Another idea: "Pan" + "pie" + "flour" = "pancake" — yes, commonly accepted.
Some might say "batter", but "pancake" is better.
Or "quiche" — no.
I think "pancake" is the answer.

So Puzzle 4: Pancake

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Puzzle 6: RO + fork + AD
As discussed, "fork in the road".
But since it's a single answer, perhaps "crossroads" or "junction".
But "fork in the road" is the direct interpretation.
In some contexts, it's shortened to "forkroad" — not real.
Another idea: "RO" + "AD" = "ROAD", and fork is in it, so "roadfork" — no.
Perhaps it's "avenue" — no.
I recall that in such puzzles, the answer is often "fork in the road".
For simplicity, we'll go with that.

But let's see if there's a single word: "diverge" — not good.
"Branch" — possible.
But I think "fork in the road" is intended.

However, looking at the format, other answers are single words or short phrases, so perhaps "crossroads".
But "fork in the road" is more precise.
Another thought: "Fork" can mean "prong", so "road prong" — no.
Perhaps it's "intersection".
But let's stick with "fork in the road".

To match the style, maybe it's "roadfork" — not valid.
I found a better one: "RO" + "fork" + "AD" = "road" with fork, but the fork is replacing the 'o' or something — "rforkad" — no.
Perhaps it's "aboard" — no.
Let's calculate: "RO" is 2 letters, "AD" is 2, fork is object — not helping.
Another idea: "Fork" sounds like "for k", and "RO" + "for k" + "AD" = "ro for k ad" — if you take "for" from fork, then "RO" + "for" + "AD" = "roforad" — not good.
Perhaps it's "record" — R O C O R D — no.
I think the best is "fork in the road".

But for the sake of the puzzle, let's say the answer is "fork in the road".

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Now summarize all:

1. P + eye = Pie (homophone: P + I = PI = pie)
2. RIGHT + nose = Rhino (homophone: right nose = rhino)
3. WEAR over LONG = Long underwear (position implies "under")
4. Pan + pie + flower (flour) = Pancake
5. STANDING over MIS = Misunderstanding (mis under standing)
6. RO + fork + AD = Fork in the road
7. Horse + RA + plate (dish) = Horseradish (ra + dish = radish, horse + radish)
8. Dice sums: 5+6 + 4+5 = 11+9=20
9. B,E,A,T around bush = Beat around the bush

All seem consistent.

Final Answer:
1. Pie
2. Rhino
3. Long underwear
4. Pancake
5. Misunderstanding
6. Fork in the road
7. Horseradish
8. 20
9. Beat around the bush