More Elementary Cryptics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Feathers

Chemical symbol for iron is Fe, plus HEARTS. Anagram of FEHEARTS gives FEATHERS. Indicator = twisted.

Feathers are a complicated structure made largely from the protein keratin. They are used in flight, for insulation, for waterproofing and some species have evolved brightly coloured plumage to attract mates.

Answer: Strafe

Anagram of FASTER. Indicator = scramble.

Strafing usually refers to ground attacks by low flying aircraft fitted with automatic rapid-fire weapons. It was used effectively in both World Wars.

Answer: Feral

Royal Academy gives RA plus ELF. Anagram of RAELF gives FERAL which means wild. Indicator = confused.

The London Royal Academy of Arts dates back to 1768 when it was founded to raise the status of artists and to exhibit contemporary art. It holds an annual summer exhibition open to all whether or not they are members.

Answer: Ferret

ofFER RETurn. Indicator = hide

Ferrets are domestic animals, sometimes kept as pets. They have been used to hunt rabbits and rodents as they can be trained to go down small holes and burrows.

Answer: Ferdinand

The Flintstone is FRED, the northern French town DINAN. Bewilder FRED to FER-D and insert DINAN to get FERDINAND, Isabella's husband.

Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile married in 1469. They are remembered for laying the foundations of Spanish unificaton, as well as the introduction of the Inquisition, the conquest of Moorish Grenada and the support for Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World.

Answer: Giraffe

Mistake is GAFFE: the electro-magnetic radiation is infra-red or IR. G-IR-AFFE.

Other forms of electro-magnetic radiation are radio waves, microwaves, visible light, ultra-violet light and X-rays.

Answer: Beefeater

The honeymaker is a BEE; achievement is FEAT; hesitation ER - put them together to get BEEFEATER.

The Yeoman Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London are popularly known as "Beefeaters", the origin of the appellation being the subject of some debate. They are technically responsible for guarding prisoners in the Tower and the Crown Jewels but their splendid uniforms and presence make them a popular attraction with visitors.

Answer: Aquifer

A quantity of paper is a QUIRE; plus A; plus the note F. From these letters, AQUIFER can be constructed.

An aquifer is a layer of permeable rock from which water can be extracted, usually by means of a well or boreholes. The over-exploitation of aquifers which are not completely recharged by precipitation is a matter of concern in many areas of the world.

Answer: Conifer

Anagram FIR CONE to get CONIFER. Indicator = turn into.

Cones are the reproductive structures of conifers. The female cone is the familiar woody structure with seeds interspersed between the scales. Male, pollen-bearing cones are less obvious and in some trees are found in small clusters.

Answer: Fester

FIRST TEE without IT gives FRSTEE which rearranged gives FESTER. Indicator = messes up.

The Addams Family was created by Charles Addams in 1938 as a cartoon which appeared in "The New Yorker" magazine until his death in 1988. In the 1960s television sitcom, the characters finally acquired names. Uncle Fester was played by Jackie Coogan, a former child star whose experiences led to the "California Child Actors Bill" which provided for schooling, time off, trust funds for part of earnings and working hours.