Perhaps as part of a class relating to international relations or culture, or tourism, or perhaps at the end of a tough lesson, this puzzle based on capital cities may add a little light relief. But beware it is much trickier than it first looks.

I find this puzzle best with students collaborating in groups of three, or even four, in a kind of race. There is often one member (sometimes that quiet student who doesn’t have too many opportunities to shine) who happens to know many of the answers. For this puzzle I ban the use of dictionaries and smartphones etc, but if it is proving simply too difficult then I permit them (much to the relief of the students!) and the puzzle is finished in next to no time.

For pre-intermediate – advanced students, taking about 30 minutes.

Capital City puzzle click here for free downloadable pdf sheets including answer key.

Please find a snapshot of this puzzle below.