Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Look out for clues containing the word 'article'; it may well refer to the definite article, 'the', or the indefinite article, 'a' or 'an'. For example "State an article in India. (7)" gives the answer "Indiana", where 'an' is inserted after the second 'i' in 'India'. Now try this one:-
Three articles for a girl's name. (6)
2. The musical terms loud (f), very loud (ff), soft/quiet (p) and very soft/quiet (pp) often appear in cryptic clues. For example "Nothing very loud isn't on. (3)" gives the answer "off", which is the opposite of 'on'. Now try this one:-
Glad to be very quiet in dried grass. (5)
3. Sometimes chemical elements are used in cryptic crossword clues. For example "Iron holds iridium blaze. (4)" gives the answer "fire". Iron is 'Fe'. Iridium is 'Ir'. Putting 'Ir' in the middle of 'Fe' gives 'F-Ir-e' or 'fire' which is another word for 'blaze'. Now try this one:-
Arsenic is found on hydrogen after a fire. (3)
4. Common abbreviations such as 'Ma' or 'Mum' and 'Pa' or 'Dad' for 'mother' and 'father', or 'ta' for 'thanks' are useful in cryptic clues. For example "Briefly thank the north for pale brown. (3)" gives the answer "tan" - a pale brown colour. 'Ta' is followed by 'N' (the north). Now try this one:-
Pa's game to give permission to travel. (8)
5. Other abbreviations that might appear in a clue are 'BA' or 'MA', which could be indicated by the word 'degree', or 'CE' (Church of England). The letters 'X' or 'Y' could be indicated by 'unknown' because of their use in mathematical equations. For example "Degree on the English Church leads to official staff. (4)" gives the answer "mace" - a staff of office. 'MA' is followed by 'CE'. Now try this one:-
Fifth month unknown after degree. (3)
6. Many words have common abbreviations, often indicated by the word 'little' or 'short'. For example "Nice cloth folded around little sanatorium. (8)" gives the answer "pleasant" - another word for 'nice'. An abbreviation for 'sanatorium' is 'san'. A fold in cloth can be a 'pleat'. Putting the two together gives 'plea-san-t' or 'pleasant'. Now try this one:-
Nitpicking little editor enters pantry. (8)
7. Names can be abbreviated, too. Try this one:-
More than one cut little Albert. (7)
8. 'Re' means 'about' or 'concerning'. Try this one:-
Answer concerning the thickness of wool. (5)
9. 'Ex' refers to something from the past. Try this one:-
Clarify former area of grassland. (7)
10. Note how the 'a' is used in this clue. It's a little word, which can easily be overlooked, but there shouldn't ever be any redundant words in a cryptic clue. If it's there it's probably part of the answer. For example "Shorten a river crossing. (7)" gives the answer "abridge", which is a word meaning 'to shorten'. The river crossing is a 'bridge', but the 'a' needs to precede it to give 'a-bridge'. Now try this one:-
Turn away from a hole. (5)
Source: Author
Lottie1001
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
spanishliz before going online.
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