How to Solve Crosswords (An Unplanned Part 3)

This would be short.  Basically just an encore for parts 1 and 2. Here goes:
A few more tips: 

1.    Most crosswords have a theme.  If you think you are stumped, you can look at the theme. It can point you to the right direction and narrow down your universe of answer possibilities.

For instance, USA Today’s November 10 puzzle has a theme FRO AND TO which in the real world is TO AND FRO.  One of the clues that I encountered for 14 boxes is  WHY SINGLE LADIES LIKE CERTAIN CANDY BARS?  The intuitive answer is MEN ARE FROM MARS (note:  this answers the question, ladies point to women and candy bar points to MARS) but it just doesn’t fit the letters I already have in some boxes.  The theme being FRO and TO pointed me to MARS ARE FROM MEN, which was the correct answer.

 2.    Consider that the answer is not just a single word but a  phrase or group of words like an idiom or an expression.    There is rarely any hint that the answer is a group of words.  Consider the following clues:

        a.   LEND __  ____   (“pay close attention”)

        b.  Surrender

The blanks on the first clue points to 2 words – AN EAR.  For the second clue, the answer is CRY UNCLE.

3.    Consider the possibilities.   For instance, the clue PRESENT – _ _ _ _ may pertain to the noun:  GIFT or the verb:  show.   

So far, these are the types of  clues that I have encountered in my crossword journey.  Should I encounter anything new in the future,  you will surely find them in an unplanned part 4.

If you have tips on crosswords, feel free to share it here.

 

How to Solve Crossword Puzzles (Attacking the Clues)

Thank you pinewswire.net for the photo.

 Part 2 of 2

• Begin with the easy clues so you can start filling boxes.

1.  “No pain. No _ _ _ _.” This is a simple fill in the blanks clue. We have heard this line before, right?

2.   Canary color – _ _ _ _ _ _.  This is a simple straight forward description. 

3.   Not a boy – _ _ _ _.  A description that points to an antonym rather than a synonym as in item 4

4.   Idea – _ _ _ _ _ _.  Simple exercise in synonyms. What is NOTION?

 For other types of clues:

1.   Global Financial Org.  – _ _ _.  What is worth noting in this clue is that organization is abbreviated not spelled out.  It is not for lack of space, believe me. The clue means that the answer would also be an abbreviation.  Answer:  IMF (International Monetary Fund)

 2.  “Colada” intro. _ _ _ _. The operative word here is intro.  Intro is a truncation (not the same as abbreviation) of the word introduction and pertains to what is often found at the beginning of something/anything.    The answer is PINA (technically PIñA but “n” conveniently replaces the “ñ” ) since the full word is “PINACOLADA” note that PINA is a truncation and is at the beginning of the word.

i.      Truncation is where you simply drop consecutive letters of a word without regard to the meaning of the resulting word. Calc can therefore stand for calculus, calculation, calculating, calcium etc.  

 ii.      Abbreviation involves dropping letters (not necessarily consecutive letters) of a word which effectively shortens it. The shortened word, however, has a universal meaning. For example, IMF for International Monetary Fund and Corp. for Corporation. Most abbreviations are for proper nouns.

 3.  Cod and May – _ _ _ _ _.  The word worth noting here is and which is similar to addition in math (e.g.  1 and 2 equals 3). Now, we know of Cape Cod (located in Massachusetts) and Cape May (located in New Jersey) and taking them together results to (not CodMay, silly) CAPES.  Contrast this with Cod or May where or would translate to the answer being either 1 or 2 BUT not 3.  In this case, the answer is CAPE.  Here’s for you:  Panama and cowboy – _ A _ _

 i.      Other clues that point to plural answers or collective nouns include: 

Some vehicles –  _ _ _ S  .  A vehicle is anything that transfers us from one place to another. Typical examples included a bus, a car, a bike etc. The clue pertains to a plural answer because of the word some . As such, the answer may be – buses, cars, bikes.  Of this 3, CARS would fit the boxes.

Beddings, Tablecloths, Pillowcases , e.g.  – _ _ _ _ _ .  The abbreviation e.g. is short for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, which means for the sake of an example or simply for example.  Thus, beddings, tablecloths, pillowcases are examples of what? Or can be collectively referred to as what? The answer is LINEN.

 4.   More nice –  _ _ _ ER.  The word more in the clue points to a comparison.  Regular adjectives are usually formed with the addition of ER at the end of the word like nicer for nice.   Other comparative adjectives are formed differently like HOTTER for hot or BETTER for good.  

 i.   The same principle applies to clues with “most” that pertains to superlative adjectives where HOTTEST is for hot and BEST if for good.   

 5.   Emulate Cicero – _ _A _ _ .  This clue points to what Cicero does.  Cicero is a known philosopher, constitutionalist, historian, lawyer and statesman, among others.  We only have 5 boxes to fill, so everything he is described to be (as shown above) would not be the right answer.  To answer this, look at the common denominator of these descriptions.  The answer is ORATE.

  i.      Emulate points to a simple verb; thus, the answer would be simple verb also.  If it were Emulated Cicero, the answer would also be in the tense of the clue. The answer, thus, would be ORATED.

 6.  “Do I have a volunteer?” –  _ _ _ _N _. This clue points to an equivalent of the expression in quotations.  The answer is ANYONE.  What do you think would “That rocks” be equivalent to?  _ _ _ _ _ _    .

 7.  Yes to Pedro – _ _ . The word “yes” points to the affirmative or agreement. On its own, it can be a word (e.g. YEAH, slangily) or an action (e.g. NOD). But the word “Pedro” specifically points to something.  Pedro is a popular name in Mexico – Peter is the American equivalent.  Therefore, the clue’s context is “What is yes in Mexico?  The answer is “SI”

 8.  One of three in a big delivery?  T _ _ _ _ _ _ .  The question mark in this clue is critical.  In this context, it hints a “maybe” or “perhaps” for reasons like it is not often referred to or known as that.  Immediately, the word delivery presents us with the images of trucks, van, boxes and crates. But the question mark hints at perhaps so we are being pointed to look beyond the word delivery as we know it.  In this case,  it can also pertain to giving birth.  Three babies born who are delivered almost simultaneously are collectively called triplets. One of three (or triplets) therefore is a triplet.  Can you do this: Two points in time? _ _ _ _ _ .

 I have to cut this short since I’m nearing 1,000 words already.  Watch out for an unplanned Part 3 for answers to the clues and conclusion.

How To Solve Crossword Puzzles

courtesy of: Bern Kreissman

Part 1 of 2

I have been attacking crosswords like crazy for almost 6 months now.  But before I go to the point of this blog … let me first thank my suppliers of daily free crosswords —  Webcrosswords.com, crosswordhaven.com and  joseph.king-online.com.  Now down to business. 

1. Make crosswords a daily habit.  Every day I answer 4 crossword puzzles.  I usually start with the easiest to the most difficult.  In my case, this would be the Thomas Joseph crossword, the  webcrosswords daily, USA Today and LA Times. 

I admit that the Thomas Joseph puzzle wasn’t always easy for me.  But, I have been on this crossword the longest compared with the other 3 so  I have become familiar with the author’s style in giving clues and, of course, it can’t be helped that there are clues and answers that come up again and again. 

2.  Take a break.    It is normal to go completely “DUH?” on several clues. But, believe me, taking a break seems to reboot your mind and when you back to your unfinished puzzle…the answers come … just like that.  Now, I don’t really know how that happens. In fact,  on those AHA moments I feel like an idiot. The answer can’t be more glaringly simple and common. 

3. Use a reliable pencil and eraser.  I am what my senior high teacher would label as insecure.  I write in an obvious “LOOK AT ME” style.  This translates to having a handwriting that is BIG and HEAVY using stand-out colors like RED, GREEN, VIOLET preferably in FELT TIP pens.   In answering crosswords,  though, I would say using pencil is preferable or you risk ending up with unsightly blots and erasures — worse, you may get confused by faulty answers haphazardly erased.  Remember that it is not often one can get the correct answers  immediately.  

4.  Be Patient.   It is rare to complete a reasonably-made  (i.e. appropriate for your age and mental capability) crossword puzzle on your very first time.   So  do not be too hard on yourself if you can’t complete one yet. It really does take time.  Just have fun while you are at it and don’t forget to learn new words, get acquainted with names, places and titles.

Part 2 will be on how to tackle CLUES.