Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. A common cryptic clue involves an anagram. Words such as 'turns', 'moves', 'changes' or 'becomes' all suggest that one of the words in the clue needs to have its letters re-arranged to find the solution. Try this one:-
Bather turns for gasp of air. (6)
2. You may need to use more than one of the words in the clue. Looking at the number of letters in the solution will help to determine which letters to use for the anagram. Try this one:-
The puzzle turns in game. (6)
3. The next two questions are sometimes referred to as 'double definition' clues.
Homonyms are most like the clues in so-called 'easy' puzzles. Homonyms are spelled and sound the same. The cryptic clue should have two parts which both lead to the same word. For example, "Retain the central tower of a castle. (4)" gives the answer "keep", which is both a verb meaning to retain and a noun referring to the central tower of a castle. Now try this one:-
Inability to see a covering for a window. (5)
4. The clue may involve a juxtaposition of two words to make the answer. Try this one:-
Angry utterances provide puzzles in grids. (10)
5. An apostrophe indicates a missing letter. For example, "Liftin' a dried grape. (6)" gives the answer "raisin". Another word for 'lifting' is 'raising'; removing the final 'g' leaves 'raisin' which is a dried grape. Now try this one:-
Cravin' for headache relief. (7)
6. Homographs are spelled the same but sound different. For example, "Show respect to a ribbon tied on a parcel. (3)" gives the answer "bow". To show respect is to 'bow' rhyming with 'cow'; a ribbon tied on a parcel is a 'bow' rhyming with 'low'. Now try this one:-
Coiled injury. (5)
7. If you see the words 'heard' or 'sounds like' in your clue, you could expect to find a homophone. Homophones are words which sound the same but are spelled differently. For example, "Sounds like a hiding place for money. (4)" gives the answer "cash". A hiding place is a 'cache' which sounds the same as 'cash' - another word for 'money. If you're not sure which of the two words is wanted, look at the number of letters in the answer. Now try this one:-
The jetty sounds like the explanation. (3)
8. Sometimes homophones can give just a single letter. For instance reference to a cup of tea could indicate the letter 'T'. Try this one:-
Indigenous inhabitant is naive about a cuppa. (6)
9. A clue may use two or more techniques. Try this one:-
Sea heard threat moving talk. (7)
10. You may need to assume that words that sound like a letter of the alphabet are homophones. Try this one:-
You queue, reverse mixed oat ration. (5)
Source: Author
Lottie1001
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
spanishliz before going online.
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