The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Based on the classic riddle presented on the worksheet, the correct answer is:
Because of its bark.
This answer is a pun that plays on the double meaning of the word “bark”. The worksheet is designed as an educational puzzle to make learning more engaging. To arrive at this solution, a student must solve a series of mathematical problems. Though the specific problems in the image are too blurry to decipher, the process involves finding a numerical answer for each question.
Once a problem is solved, the student would locate their answer in a key or decoder section, which is typically found somewhere on the page. This key links specific numerical answers to letters of the alphabet. For instance, an answer of 45 might correspond to the letter B, an answer of 120 might be E, and so on. The student then writes the corresponding letter in the blank space at the bottom of the page that shares the same number as the problem they just solved. When all the problems are completed correctly and the letters are filled into the blanks, they spell out the punchline to the riddle.
The humor in the solution, “Because of its bark,” comes from its two interpretations. The first and most obvious meaning in the context of a tree is its “bark,” the tough outer layer that protects it. The second meaning is the “bark” of a dog, a sound that would certainly frighten a cat. This clever play on words serves as a fun reward for correctly completing the math exercises. These types of activities are a popular teaching tool because they combine critical thinking and practice with a lighthearted and memorable goal, helping to reinforce the lesson in a positive way.
