I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

What is the word or phrase below?
R | E | A | D

A monk has a very specific ritual for climbing up the steps to the temple. First, he climbs up to the middle step and meditates for 1 minute. Then he climbs up 8 steps and faces east until he hears a bird singing. Then he walks down 12 steps and picks up a pebble. He takes one step up and tosses the pebble over his left shoulder. Now, he walks up the remaining steps three at a time which only takes him 9 paces. How many steps are there?

There are 2 people near the river and both of them want to get on the other side. The boat can only take one of them. But they got across.
How?

The more you take me, the more you leave me behind.
Who Am I?

If 21x = 79x, what is the value of x?

A 3 digit number is such that it's unit digit is equal to the product of the other two digits which are prime. Also, the difference between it's reverse and itself is 396.

What is the sum of the three digits?

It's a test that will check your IQ.

Suppose you have one 11 minute hourglass and one 13 minute hourglass.

Can you measure exactly fifteen minutes using them ?

If you read clockwise, you can form a word by inserting three missing letters in the picture given below. Can you do it?

You walk into a room that contains a match, a kerosene lamp, a candle and a fireplace. What would you light first?