The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Of course. Based on the visible clues on the worksheet, here is the correct answer and a detailed explanation.
The correct answer to the riddle, “What do you call a pirate that skips mass?” is:
An arr-heretic
This answer is a pun that cleverly combines two distinct ideas suggested by the riddle’s phrasing. The first part, “arr,” is the stereotypical growl or exclamation associated with pirates in popular culture. It immediately signals the pirate theme of the joke.
The second part, “heretic,” provides the substance of the pun. A heretic is a person who holds beliefs or opinions that are contrary to the established doctrines of a religion. In the context of Christianity, particularly Catholicism where “Mass” is a central service, intentionally and consistently skipping mass would be seen as a rejection of a fundamental religious obligation. Such an act could be considered heretical because it goes against the orthodox teachings and practices of the church. By merging the pirate sound “arr” with the word “heretic,” the punchline creates a new phrase, “arr-heretic,” which humorously describes a pirate who commits this specific religious transgression.
The worksheet is designed to lead the student to this answer through mathematical calculations. The page is titled “Multiplying Fractions,” and it contains a series of numbered problems. To solve the puzzle, a student must first correctly solve each fraction multiplication problem. For example, a visible problem involves multiplying 1/2 by 4/5, which equals 4/10 and simplifies to 2/5. Next, the student matches their answer to a letter in the provided answer key. Finally, they write that letter in the corresponding numbered blank at the bottom of the page. Once all the problems are solved and the letters are filled in, they spell out the punchline to the riddle.
