This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
The puzzle for this week is the 13th Quick Cryptic by Chandler who mostly sets Quick Cryptic and Quiptic puzzles in the Guardian. Today we have anagrams and hidden clues with all the letters given, which should be accessible. The other clues are charades and reversals which require the other letters to be found.
The whole point of these crosswords is support and encouragement of new solvers, so special rules for these crosswords apply – see here – those rules include not posting solving times.
This blog continues to develop in response to suggestions. We hide the answers and the wordplay descriptions (parsing) too. To find the solution click on “Answer” and to find how the word play works, click on “Parsing” which will reveal the hidden information. You can choose to reveal everything using the “Expand All” button. If you have partially revealed the page, refreshing it will clear that, and allow you to expand all. The definition is in bold and underlined, the indicator is in red.
For additional help click here
There is a summary of the tricks used in the first six months here and a Guardian Crossword blog called the ultimate beginner’s guide has tips which may be useful for some solvers
For abbreviations and clue tips click here
Fifteen Squared uses several abbreviations and jargon tricks, there’s a full list here, of which I’ve used the following in this blog:
- underlining the definition in the clue – this is either at the beginning or end of the clue
- indicators are in red.
- CAPITALS to indicate which bits are part of the answer, e.g. Get A Good joke for the example.
- anagram – letters being used shown in brackets (SENATOR)* for the clue below to give TREASON.
- anagrind – anagram indicator – in the case below it is “arranged”
- charades – the description below only gives the example of words being added together, but charades can be more complicated, adding abbreviations or single letters to another word. Examples previously used in this series are: Son ridicules loose overgarments (6) S (son) + MOCKS (ridicules), Get rid of dead pine (5) D(dead) + ITCH (pine) – D ITCH, and early on DR (doctor) + IVE (I have) to give DRIVE.
- reversal shown by < – so DOG < becomes GOD
- CAD or clue as definition– where the whole clue gives the definition, sometimes called an &lit. These are rare.
- DBE or definition by example – e.g. where a dog might be clued as a setter – often using a question mark, maybe, possibly or e.g. to show that this is an example rather than a definition.
- surface – the meaning from reading the clue – so often cryptic clues use an English that could only be found in a cryptic crossword, but a smooth surface is a clue that has a meaning in English, which can be pointed or misleading.
TODAY’S TRICKS – from the crossword site – because the clues have moved on from the clue descriptions below, I am now adding more to the descriptions hidden above. Clues begin or end with a definition of the answer. The rest is one of these:
- Anagram An anagram of the answer and a hint that there’s an anagram
‘Senator arranged crime (7)’ gives TREASON - Hidden word(s)Answer hidden in clue’s words
‘Some haVE ALtered meat (4)’ gives VEAL - Charade Combination of synonyms/abbrevs
‘Qualify to get drink for ID (8)’ gives PASSPORT (pass + port) (see more above) - Reversal Answer backwards, and a hint that we’re reversing
‘Deity’s pet returns (3)’ gives GOD from DOG (pet) <
| ACROSS | Click on “Answer” to see the solutions | |
| 1 |
Section of apron torn quickly (6)
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AnswerPRONTO |
Parsinghidden (section of) aPRON TOrn for the Italian music instruction (it seems), but it’s also an instruction from to be prompt or quickly from one of the Latinate languages, either Spanish or French. |
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| 4 |
On reflection, goes briskly to make brief trip in car (4)
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AnswerSPIN |
Parsingreversal (on reflection … to make) of NIPS (goes briskly) as in: she nips/goes briskly into the shop … |
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| 8 |
Religious follower represented a star (5)
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AnswerRASTA |
Parsinganagram of (A STAR)* with an anagrind of “represented” – to be read as re-presented, so those letters are presented again, for a follower of this religion. |
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| 9 |
Virginia allowed for male attendant (5)
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AnswerVALET |
Parsingcharade of VA (state abbreviation for Virginia) + LET (allowed) – Virginia used as the clue makes us think it refers to the a woman, as it’s also a woman’s name. |
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| 10 |
Distinguish second Greek character given role (3,5)
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AnswerSET APART |
Parsingcharade of S (second – from the scientific SI unit of time) + ETA (Greek character – one of the letters of the Greek alphabet) + PART (role). I haven’t said this for a while, but knowing the letters of the Greek alphabet is useful for cryptic crosswords. |
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| 13 |
Dull Frenchman had to be one sharing part of a block? (8)
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AnswerFLATMATE |
Parsingcharade of FLAT (dull) + M (Frenchman – short for Monsieur, the equivalent of Mr.) + ATE (had) the “to be” connecting the clue parts together. There’s a question mark as the definition is a definition by example (DBE). |
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| 16 |
Discover tragic figure close to ruin (5)
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AnswerLEARN |
Parsingcharade of LEAR (tragic figure) + N (close to ruiN – so an indication to take the last letter of ruiN). LEAR is from the Shakespeare play and a knowledge of Shakespeare is often assumed by some crossword setters. |
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| 17 |
Perhaps watch area of responsibility after comeback (5)
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AnswerTIMER |
Parsingreversal (after comeback) of REMIT (area of responsibility) < – this is a regular reversal in crosswordland. |
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| 18 |
Social occasion taking place in club as highlighted (4)
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AnswerBASH |
Parsinghidden (taking place in) in cluB AS Highlighted – for one of the uses of this informal word, as in a birthday bash. |
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| 19 |
A party with wine is much loved (6)
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AnswerADORED |
Parsingcharade of A (from the clues) + DO (party) + RED (wine – generalisation) – DO for party and red for wine are regulars in crosswordland, we’ve met both before |
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DOWN
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| 1 |
Carefully read breakdown of rupees (6)
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AnswerPERUSE |
Parsinganagram of (RUPEES)* with an anagrind of “breakdown of” |
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| 2 |
Notions I tested internally in a work area (2-4)
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AnswerON-SITE |
Parsinghidden clue (internally) in notiONS I TEsted. |
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| 3 |
Minor leapt around thing making one jump? (10)
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AnswerTRAMPOLINE |
Parsinganagram of (MINOR LEAPT)* with an anagrind of “around”. There’s a question mark as it’s a definition by example (DBE), a TRAMPOLINE is one thing that could make one jump – but the phrasing also suggest something that startles. |
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| 5 |
Friends seeing strike upset (4)
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AnswerPALS |
Parsingreversal (upset) of SLAP (strike) to give another regular reversal in crosswordland. |
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| 6 |
Bear in mind posh school being sent up (4)
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AnswerNOTE |
Parsingreversal (being sent up) of ETON (posh school) – not that we’ve discussed this before, in crosswordland ETON is almost a cliché as the posh school, or any school, because of this trick (although setters have using other schools recently). |
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| 7 |
Trade votes corruptly? That’s exaggerated (10)
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AnswerOVERSTATED |
Parsinganagram of (TRADE VOTES)* with an anagrind of “corruptly”. |
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| 11 |
Less agitated local merchant in part (6)
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AnswerCALMER |
Parsinghidden word (in part) in lo CAL MERchant. |
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| 12 |
Agreed shifts as adjusted for a purpose (6)
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AnswerGEARED |
Parsinganagram of (AGREED)* with an anagrind of “shifts” – think of machines or bicycles. |
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| 14 |
Flat piece of stone in back of this experimental site (4)
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AnswerSLAB |
Parsingreversal (back of this) of LABS (experimental site) this clue feels a bit clunky to me – I’m not happy with experimental site equating to LABS or “back of this” as a reversal indicator. |
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| 15 |
Go by some sherpas struggling (4)
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AnswerPASS |
Parsinghidden word (some) in sherPAS Struggling. |
I’m around for a bit, then out all day as one of the adults at a craft day for kids.
Thanks Shanne and Chandler!
Was struggling to parse the ATE of FLATMATE, as was trying to make ‘to be’ something other than connective tissue.
For 14, is it not a charade? Back of thiS being a selection indicator for the S, rather than a reversal? Then you’ve got a single ‘experimental site’ for LAB.
I did not understand the MATE bit in 13ac. Perhaps this clue was a bit difficult for a QC but the answer was obvious/easily guessed.
I agree with Holypeanut@2 re the parsing of 14d S + LAB.
A bit more challenging than last week but solvable nonetheless.Struggled with FLATMATE and used anagram solver to get TRAMPOLINE.Thanks to Shanne & Chandler.
I agree with Holypeanut @2: Back of thiS + LAB.
I don’t really like these unannounced secondary tricks in quick cryptic crosswords, and here we have two in the same corner of the grid (LEARN is the other). They ought to be introduced properly in the instructions. It might be a way of bringing in other types of charade, too.
I failed with FLATMATE. Okay, so I got the answer, but I needed Shanne to point out had = ATE. Clearly I haven’t got my brain in gear this morning, but this will be a tough one for newcomers.
Thank you Shanne and Chandler
Good puzzle from Chandler. Some clues easy enough to get letters on the board but also some stuff to challenge and think about in there. Couldn’t understand “represented” as an anagram indicator – so particular thanks to Shanne for that
As ever, I’ve done a talkthrough of the puzzle which is available from … https://youtu.be/SV3ERiwnjIA … some tips and tactics to help out.
Having worked in labs, I’m comfortable with labs being an experimental site.
Closest I got to parsing it was from a reversed hidden word finding ‘slat’? “No! Must be ‘slab’!” so I’m not winning any prizes
Many thanks, Shanne. I agree with others about 14d being a charade – “slab” is definitely not a reversal of “labs”! Enjoyed the charades this week with some nice surfaces. Thanks Chandler.
Thanks for the detailed parsing! Really helpful for new and improving cryptic crossword solvers like me who can work out the word from the letters but can’t always see how they are arrived at.
I’m reminded that a lot of people enjoyed last week’s, as I did. It’s great to have a sense of fun and achievement. Be reassured that a few of us found this one challenging, but it’s all part of the journey and new things to learn, like in 13a and 16a, to add to the repertoire and tools to store for another day.
Harder than last week’s. I can’t see how “adjusted for a purpose” gives GEARED.
muffin#11. Geared, passive verb, from Collins:
If someone or something is geared to or towards a particular purpose, they are organized or designed in order to achieve that purpose.
Colleges are not always geared to the needs of mature students.
My training was geared towards winning gold in Munich.
Synonyms: equip, fit, suit, adjust
You may be right that without a preposition it doesn’t quite work.
Thanks paddymelon. Still not convinced that “adjusted” fits.
Thanks Shanne and Chandler.
Having been practicing in Quiptic land for a while, I generally find these a good warm up, which I try to be strict on not using anagram solvers and the check button. It does been that I’m used to “back of this” equals “S” type clues, although I agree with comments above (and often here?) that the explanations and examples of the clues could be improved. …That said, this is why we have this great site, right!? 🙂
Muffin @14
It works when read as an active verb, rather than as a passive verb or adjective. The class was entirely made up of mature students so I geared/adapted the course towards their needs.
“Pronto” is the Italian word for “quick, ready, prompt, etc”. It is also what Italians say when they answer the phone, equivalent to our “hello”. It can also be made to agree with a noun’s/person’s gender, ie, “pronta” for feminine things!
Muffin #14 Agreed/Geared 12d
I find it helps to read clues out aloud to get a clearer surface reading. Sometimes a pause or emphasis whether to sense if verb or noun eg shifts, which gives nuance to parsing. I was comfortable with ‘bicycle’ image “riding up hill” to get the anagram sorted. Concept of change in work roster worked just as well.
Great QC. Some trickiness with a couple of last letter indicators in the charades worthy of a Quiptic: LEARN and SLAB were my LOI. Thanks Chandler and Shanne.
I found this tougher than recently.
Must remember to read each word separately – when I saw second Greek character, I couldn’t work out where the B from beta had gone to (or where the S came from).
Thanks Shanne for clearing up that and others.