An 'Iffy' Quiz

Answer: Terrify

Terry is the most common short version of Terence, although sometimes Tel or Tez are used. Putting the word 'if' after the second letter 'r' creates the new word of 'terrify. To be terrified is an extreme form of fear which, for me, would be caused by watching a horror film.

Answer: Artifice

Art refers to a skill particularly in creating paintings or performing in a play or ballet. Freezing water creates ice, and inserting 'if' in between 'art' and 'ice' creates 'artifice'. The word artifice refers to an illusion of innocence, usually designed to trick or fool another person.

Answer: Different

Start with 'd', add 'fe', the symbol for iron on the periodic table, and 'rent' meaning a tear, usually in fabric. Then insert 'if' after the d and you'll come up with the word 'different'. To be different means to be not the same as something or someone else or to be separate and distinct.

Answer: Verify

Very is the word you need which means extremely and inserting 'if' before the letter 'y' creates the new word of 'verify'. If you verify something, you attest to it being true and accurate.

Answer: Testify

Someone who is described as 'testy' is cross, irritable or irascible, having a short fuse and quick to anger. Inserting 'if' creates the word 'testify'. If you act as a witness in a court of law, you testify - explaining what you know or saw about a particular event.

Answer: Stifling

St is the common abbreviation for the word 'saint', or street, and ling is the proper name for heather. Putting the letters 'if' after st and before ling creates the new word 'stifling'. Stifling is often used to describe very hot weather where there is little air and people find it hard to breathe.

Answer: Difficult

Start with 'd', add 'Fi' as the short name for Fiona and end with 'cult' to describe a religious group, often one which is fanatical. Putting the letters 'if' after the d and adding the other words creates the new word 'difficult'. Anything which is difficult needs a lot of effort to understand or carry out, the opposite of easy.

Answer: Stiffen

As well as being short for saint, 'st' can also be the abbreviation for street while East Anglia is known for being the home of the fens. Putting 'if' after the st and ending with fen creates the word 'stiffen'. Anything which is stiffened becomes more rigid and harder to bend.

Answer: Sacrifice

A 'sac' is another word for a growth or cyst while 'rice' is the staple diet in many eastern countries. You need to insert the 'if' in a different place this time, after the letter 'r' of rice to create the new word 'sacrifice'. An offering, particularly to a deity, can be described as a sacrifice or you could sacrifice your life to save another person.

Answer: Classify

If something is stylish it can be described as 'classy' and putting 'if' after the second letter s creates the new word of 'classify'. Classify can refer to sorting people or items into groups, based on their shared similarities. In government circles, classified documents are those containing sensitive information and can be seen only by authorised personnel.