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CIA challenges wannabe spooks to tell what time it is in this photo… can YOU do it?

THE CIA has set wannabe spooks another visual puzzle - this time with a wintry theme.

The spy agency challenged Twitter users to "put your analytical skills to the test" by working out the time of day in a ski resort street scene.

The CIA has posted another tricky puzzle on Twitter
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The CIA has posted another tricky puzzle on TwitterCredit: Twitter
You have to work out the time of day in this snowy scene
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You have to work out the time of day in this snowy sceneCredit: Twitter

The new puzzle challenges users to search for visual clues to work out if it's 7am, 11am or 3pm - but what you are looking for is up to you.

The image shows icy roads with tracks made by school buses and deserted ski lifts going up a tree lined hillside.

Many who took up the challenge reckoned the long shadows, snow on parked cars and the lit street lights were key to solving the puzzle.

One said: "Easy, look at the light poles turned on which means it's 7am. Am I hired?"

Another agreed: "7am. The lights are on because they are still in the shadows and have not gone off for the day."

A third reasoned: "7am. Transport for skiers are empty, street lights on (probably from the night before), school buses arriving? Snow on parked cars."

But others thought it was afternoon, with one saying: "It's 3.04pm and those buses outside the school are about fill up."

"It's also winter and the sun sets down before 4pm in many areas," offered another user.

Twitter users spelled out their reasons for guessing
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Twitter users spelled out their reasons for guessingCredit: Twitter / CIA
Shadows mean it must be early or late, one reckons
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Shadows mean it must be early or late, one reckonsCredit: Twitter / CIA
School buses could hold the key
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School buses could hold the keyCredit: Twitter / CIA
Buses and ski lifts are among the clues to look out for
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Buses and ski lifts are among the clues to look out forCredit: Twitter
But one joker said there could be an easier way
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But one joker said there could be an easier wayCredit: Twitter / CIA

In a Twitter poll, one-in-eight people guessed 11am, a third said 3pm and over half reckoned it was 7am.

The CIA later revealed that 7am was the right answer.

It tweeted: "Most of you guessed correctly. Seems like you all have an eye for this. You should check out our careers page. #DiscovertheCIA."

It is the latest of the CIA's #TuesdayTrivia posts after a series of popular spot-the-difference puzzles - which saw eagle-eyed wannabe spies beat the agency at their own game.

The CIA has a  aimed at attracting youngsters to think about the agency's work

In September the CIA challenged Twitter to spot ten differences in a city scene - but many beat them by finding 11 or more.

The CIA tweeted: "If you found more than 10 differences, you practiced good tradecraft. Always look for opportunities to learn more."

The same happened the following month when users claimed they found 16 differences, five more than the target.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Britain's GCHQ has also used puzzles in its recruitment campaigns, although they are much tougher.

They are so popular the code-cracking agency has published a book of logic challenges.

Most people reckoned it was 7am
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Most people reckoned it was 7amCredit: Twitter
...and they were right
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...and they were rightCredit: Twitter
The CIA challenged followers to spot 11 differences between these two pics in October
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The CIA challenged followers to spot 11 differences between these two pics in OctoberCredit: CIA/Twitter
It came after a popular puzzle in September when users claimed they found more differences than the target
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It came after a popular puzzle in September when users claimed they found more differences than the targetCredit: CIA/Twitter
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