Sample Verbal/Hands-on Problems

Verbal Hands-On Spontaneous problems involve the team members using one or more objects when giving a response. Following are practice Verbal Hands-On Spontaneous problems. A list of materials needed is given before each problem. Usual timing for these problems is one minute to think and two or three minutes to respond. Coaches may add additional items to those suggested in the following problems. If you are scoring, give one point for a common answer and 5 to 7 points for a creative answer.

List of Items

List of Materials: 12" piece of string, 2 pencils, 3 drinking straws, 6 toothpicks, Coffee filter, Meat baster, 6 paper clips, 1 paper towel, 2 marbles, Paper cup, Paper plate, 12" square of aluminum foil, 24" piece of yarn, Ruler or yardstick, Napkin (paper or cloth), 2 rubber bands, Business-size envelope, 6 Marshmallows, Sheet of paper, 3 cotton balls, Plastic spoon, Balloon, Tennis ball, Toothbrush, Coin, Plastic bag, Hat, Surgical mask, Clothes pin, and Eraser.

From the above list, or by adding other items of the coach's own choice, the coach will select the number of items requested in the following questions. The items will be placed before the first team member who will then respond (and demonstrate if the question requires such action). The items are then given to the next team member to respond. Continue around the team until time runs out. After time ends, discuss the team's answers to determine if more creative responses could have been given.

1. As a prize for a contest you have a choice of one of the three items before you. You choose __________ because you say you can do the most with it. Explain your choice.
2. The three items have come to life! Describe the personality of each of these now-living characters.
3. Show how each of the three items could be improved upon to make a better product.
4. Use the three items to produce something that could be of value in the future.
5. A jewel thief has stolen a world famous gem from a museum. He used the three items to help him. How?
6. Your items are three clues uncovered from a previously unknown civilization. Describe their way of life and how those objects may have been used.
7. Use the one item to produce a musical instrument. How will it work? What kind of sound will it make?
8. You are about to blast off to another planet. You may take only one of the three items with you. Which one will it be? Why?
9. Aha! Mrs. Pansy's potted petunias have disappeared from her window boxes. The three items are the only clues to their disappearance. Explain.
10. Use all three items to design a new product useful around the house.
11. All three items belong to a person engaged in an unusual occupation. Describe it.
12. You are trapped in a cave with only the three items. One (or all of them) will help you escape. How?
13. Use the three items to create a new game or toy. Name it.

Foiled

This problem has two parts. Allow 4 minutes for Part 1 and 3 minutes for Part 2. Give each team member a piece of aluminum foil about 15 inches long. Each team member will shape the foil into one or more things. The team member will place the item on a table and describe it. In Part 2, the team members will respond in order to make a statement about one of the solutions. The team will continue to respond about each of the solutions until time runs out.

Statue

This problem has two parts. Allow four minutes during Part 1 and three minutes for Part 2. Give each team member eight straws to construct a sculpture. When time for Part 1 ends, each team member is to describe their sculpture. In Part 2, each team member is to describe one of the other four sculptures. The team member may select which sculpture he/she wants to describe. The team member may describe the same sculpture each time his/her turn occurs, or select a different one.

SWAB

Give a team member two cotton swabs. Give uses or pretend they are something. Pass the swabs from one team member to another as they give their responses.

Noise

Using only your fingers, make a different noise and explain what the sound represents.

Hot Chocolate

Place a cup before a team member. The team member is to answer the following question and then pass the cup to the next team member. The question: "My cup of chocolate is too hot, I would cool it off by ____________."

Uses

Materials Required: Plastic spoon, meat baster, broom, stick of gum, napkin, piece of masking tape, golf ball, paper plate, surgical mask, book bag, book, glass jar, paper sack, bar of soap, scissors, colored paper, envelope, toy, cookie, plastic fork, cup, pencil, file folder, small box, 2 paper clips, rubber band, watch, 3 cotton balls, bandaid, fly swatter, pancake turner, ruler or yardstick, piece of paper, apron, ball-point pen, piece of string, small picture frame, and a whistle.

Using any two of the above, have the team member describe (and demonstrate) uses for one or both of the items.

Like

Place several Lima Beans or other vegetables or fruits (photographs may be used in place of the actual fruit or vegetable) before a team member. After giving a response, the team member passes the item to the next member. The team member is the answer the question: I (do not) like (name of fruit or vegetable) because.... (Have the team gives answers one time about liking the fruit or vegetable and later about disliking it.)