Can You Follow Directions? Worksheet by Tarah Donica | TPT - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Can You Follow Directions? Worksheet by Tarah Donica | TPT. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Can You Follow Directions? Worksheet by Tarah Donica | TPT
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Can You Follow Directions? Worksheet by Tarah Donica | TPT
This is a classic “Following Directions” puzzle designed to test attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions *exactly* as written — even when later instructions seem to contradict earlier ones.
Let’s break down the instructions step by step and then apply the final instruction.
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1. “Set a pencil and piece of paper. Do not write on this notebook page.”
→ You’re supposed to use your own paper, not write on the worksheet itself.
2. “Write your first and last name in the upper left-hand corner.”
→ Write your name on your own paper.
3. “Number your paper from 1-10, skipping a line between each number.”
→ On your paper, write numbers 1 through 10 with space between them.
4. “Beside number 8, draw 8 hearts.”
→ Draw 8 hearts next to #8.
5. “Beside all of the odd numbers, draw a smiley face.”
→ Odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 → draw a smiley next to each.
6. “Beside number 5, write the name of your favorite food.”
→ Write your favorite food next to #5.
7. “Stand up and wave to your teacher.”
→ Physically stand and wave (this is part of the test!).
8. “Sit back down and draw your last name.”
→ Draw (not write) your last name — perhaps in block letters or doodle-style.
9. “Draw a star to mark the 8 hearts.”
→ Put a star near or around the 8 hearts you drew beside #8.
10. “Beside number 2, write one classroom rule we have.”
→ Write a classroom rule next to #2.
11. “Draw a star in the upper right-hand corner of the paper.”
→ Put a star in the top-right corner of your paper.
12. “Draw a picture of anything you want on the back of the paper.”
→ Flip the paper over and draw whatever you like.
13. “Now that you have read everything, only do numbers 1 and 12.”
→ 💡 THIS IS THE KEY INSTRUCTION.
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Most people will start doing steps 1–12 without reading ahead. But step 13 says: “only do numbers 1 and 12.”
That means:
- You should ONLY complete:
- Step 1: Set pencil and paper (don’t write on worksheet).
- Step 12: Draw a picture of anything you want on the back of the paper.
Everything else — writing your name, numbering, drawing hearts, smileys, stars, writing food, waving, etc. — should be ignored, because step 13 explicitly overrides all previous instructions.
---
You should:
1. Get a pencil and a piece of paper.
2. Flip the paper over and draw any picture you want on the back.
3. Do nothing else — especially don’t write your name, don’t number the paper, don’t draw hearts, etc.
> 🎯 The real test is whether you read ALL the instructions before starting — especially the final one.
Many students rush and complete steps 1–12, only to realize too late that they were supposed to stop after reading step 13 and only do steps 1 and 12.
---
It teaches:
- Reading comprehension
- Following directions precisely
- Not assuming you know what to do without reading everything
- Critical thinking under pressure
---
✔ Final Answer:
Only complete step 1 (get pencil and paper) and step 12 (draw a picture on the back of the paper). Ignore all other steps — even if you’ve already started them. The key is to read the entire set of instructions before acting.
This is a trick question designed to reward careful reading!
Let’s break down the instructions step by step and then apply the final instruction.
---
Step-by-step breakdown:
1. “Set a pencil and piece of paper. Do not write on this notebook page.”
→ You’re supposed to use your own paper, not write on the worksheet itself.
2. “Write your first and last name in the upper left-hand corner.”
→ Write your name on your own paper.
3. “Number your paper from 1-10, skipping a line between each number.”
→ On your paper, write numbers 1 through 10 with space between them.
4. “Beside number 8, draw 8 hearts.”
→ Draw 8 hearts next to #8.
5. “Beside all of the odd numbers, draw a smiley face.”
→ Odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 → draw a smiley next to each.
6. “Beside number 5, write the name of your favorite food.”
→ Write your favorite food next to #5.
7. “Stand up and wave to your teacher.”
→ Physically stand and wave (this is part of the test!).
8. “Sit back down and draw your last name.”
→ Draw (not write) your last name — perhaps in block letters or doodle-style.
9. “Draw a star to mark the 8 hearts.”
→ Put a star near or around the 8 hearts you drew beside #8.
10. “Beside number 2, write one classroom rule we have.”
→ Write a classroom rule next to #2.
11. “Draw a star in the upper right-hand corner of the paper.”
→ Put a star in the top-right corner of your paper.
12. “Draw a picture of anything you want on the back of the paper.”
→ Flip the paper over and draw whatever you like.
13. “Now that you have read everything, only do numbers 1 and 12.”
→ 💡 THIS IS THE KEY INSTRUCTION.
---
The Trap:
Most people will start doing steps 1–12 without reading ahead. But step 13 says: “only do numbers 1 and 12.”
That means:
- You should ONLY complete:
- Step 1: Set pencil and paper (don’t write on worksheet).
- Step 12: Draw a picture of anything you want on the back of the paper.
Everything else — writing your name, numbering, drawing hearts, smileys, stars, writing food, waving, etc. — should be ignored, because step 13 explicitly overrides all previous instructions.
---
✔ Correct Solution:
You should:
1. Get a pencil and a piece of paper.
2. Flip the paper over and draw any picture you want on the back.
3. Do nothing else — especially don’t write your name, don’t number the paper, don’t draw hearts, etc.
> 🎯 The real test is whether you read ALL the instructions before starting — especially the final one.
Many students rush and complete steps 1–12, only to realize too late that they were supposed to stop after reading step 13 and only do steps 1 and 12.
---
Why This Test Exists:
It teaches:
- Reading comprehension
- Following directions precisely
- Not assuming you know what to do without reading everything
- Critical thinking under pressure
---
✔ Final Answer:
Only complete step 1 (get pencil and paper) and step 12 (draw a picture on the back of the paper). Ignore all other steps — even if you’ve already started them. The key is to read the entire set of instructions before acting.
This is a trick question designed to reward careful reading!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of how well do you follow directions worksheet.
