<p>I looked at the answers after doing the problems, and some of the answers mentioned knowing the definitions of terms that I doubt people would know without having studied at least some linguistics. </p>
<p>I think it’s mainly that the approach for solving the problems is different than one might be used to. It’s a different way of thinking, and if you happen to think about the problems in another way, you’re out of luck. </p>
<p>They also could be looked at as purely riddles, all linguistics aside. Since this is true, someone who is good at riddles would be able to get many right, but someone who is not would need some experience in linguistics.</p>
<p>It definitely seems ridiculous to me to decide not to major in linguistics because of a contest.</p>