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diff --git a/exercises/16_lifetimes/README.md b/exercises/16_lifetimes/README.md
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+# Lifetimes
+
+Lifetimes tell the compiler how to check whether references live long
+enough to be valid in any given situation. For example lifetimes say
+"make sure parameter 'a' lives as long as parameter 'b' so that the return
+value is valid".
+
+They are only necessary on borrows, i.e. references,
+since copied parameters or moves are owned in their scope and cannot
+be referenced outside. Lifetimes mean that calling code of e.g. functions
+can be checked to make sure their arguments are valid. Lifetimes are
+restrictive of their callers.
+
+If you'd like to learn more about lifetime annotations, the
+[lifetimekata](https://tfpk.github.io/lifetimekata/) project
+has a similar style of exercises to Rustlings, but is all about
+learning to write lifetime annotations.
+
+## Further information
+
+- [Lifetimes (in Rust By Example)](https://doc.rust-lang.org/stable/rust-by-example/scope/lifetime.html)
+- [Validating References with Lifetimes](https://doc.rust-lang.org/book/ch10-03-lifetime-syntax.html)
diff --git a/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes1.rs b/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes1.rs
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+// lifetimes1.rs
+//
+// The Rust compiler needs to know how to check whether supplied references are
+// valid, so that it can let the programmer know if a reference is at risk of
+// going out of scope before it is used. Remember, references are borrows and do
+// not own their own data. What if their owner goes out of scope?
+//
+// Execute `rustlings hint lifetimes1` or use the `hint` watch subcommand for a
+// hint.
+
+// I AM NOT DONE
+
+fn longest(x: &str, y: &str) -> &str {
+    if x.len() > y.len() {
+        x
+    } else {
+        y
+    }
+}
+
+fn main() {
+    let string1 = String::from("abcd");
+    let string2 = "xyz";
+
+    let result = longest(string1.as_str(), string2);
+    println!("The longest string is '{}'", result);
+}
diff --git a/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes2.rs b/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes2.rs
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+// lifetimes2.rs
+//
+// So if the compiler is just validating the references passed to the annotated
+// parameters and the return type, what do we need to change?
+//
+// Execute `rustlings hint lifetimes2` or use the `hint` watch subcommand for a
+// hint.
+
+// I AM NOT DONE
+
+fn longest<'a>(x: &'a str, y: &'a str) -> &'a str {
+    if x.len() > y.len() {
+        x
+    } else {
+        y
+    }
+}
+
+fn main() {
+    let string1 = String::from("long string is long");
+    let result;
+    {
+        let string2 = String::from("xyz");
+        result = longest(string1.as_str(), string2.as_str());
+    }
+    println!("The longest string is '{}'", result);
+}
diff --git a/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes3.rs b/exercises/16_lifetimes/lifetimes3.rs
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+// lifetimes3.rs
+//
+// Lifetimes are also needed when structs hold references.
+//
+// Execute `rustlings hint lifetimes3` or use the `hint` watch subcommand for a
+// hint.
+
+// I AM NOT DONE
+
+struct Book {
+    author: &str,
+    title: &str,
+}
+
+fn main() {
+    let name = String::from("Jill Smith");
+    let title = String::from("Fish Flying");
+    let book = Book { author: &name, title: &title };
+
+    println!("{} by {}", book.title, book.author);
+}