Ben Franklin,
Gimme a Break

Puzzles based on Ben and Verse

For Students

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR PUZZLES

The puzzles ask which jingle – good or bad -- best matches a quotation. Here's an example:

The Quotation:
Ben Franklin said, “The wise man takes more advantage from his enemies than a fool from his friends.”

The jingles (pick the one that best matches the quotation):
a. Get beat at chess? Learn foe’s finesse (cleverness).
b. Swap friend for foe; lend either dough.
c. Tongue fixes, fist nixes.
d. A weather-wise friend will stick – to the wind.

The Answer:
a. Get beat at chess? Learn foe’s finesse (i.e., cleverness).

- It’s the only jingle that shows gaining an advantage over an “enemy” – in this case a rival at the chess board. The advantage here comes from learning the rival’s ways of winning.

Note: There are puzzles harder and easier than this one. (Yours might possibly be either.)

TIPS:
Guessing is necessary, but it will probably pay to think carefully after reading over the quote and the jingles several times.
Think about the ideas – “the message” from Ben Franklin -- not just the words.
And, remember, no jingle will be a perfect match. Your aim should be to pick the best match among the jingles listed -- even though it may not be your favorite.