Holiday A-Z Cryptic Clues Quiz

If you’re familiar with Cryptic Crosswords, you’re in for a treat. Actually, even if you’re not familiar, you’ll still have fun with this quiz. There are 26 clues – with answers beginning with every letter of the alphabet BUT NOT IN ORDER (you may want an alphabet handy to scribble out the letters already used).

Cryptic clues typically have a ‘straight’ clue and a ‘cryptic clue’ – with the latter using things like anagrams, hidden words and other tricks to conjure up the answer. (Here’s a quick guide to solving them.)

EXAMPLE CLUE: This fruit has zero distance. (6)
SOLUTION: ORANGE (the fruit and “0”(zero)+”range”(distance))
Note the answer has two ways to solve it. That’s how most cryptic clues work.

Answers will be published in next week’s 9 January AWC e-newsletter – if you’re not already subscribed, you can do so now. It’s free and is packed with fun stuff delivered to your inbox each week.

GOOD LUCK!

EACH OF THE 26 ANSWERS BEGINS WITH A DIFFERENT LETTER OF THE ALPHABET – HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT IN A to Z ORDER.

1. Battle witnessed in the Polish capital. (6) 
2. My over-par, rotten round contains a birdie. (6)
3. Agree to blend dry tea the day before. (9)
4. Sounds funny but add an S at the front and you’ll die. (8)
5. The final one is by itself. (5)
6. A misplaced rum label helps you take cover! (8)
7. Entering dark turmoil at the start of school. (12)
8. A dog that’s found in the wild in good numbers. (5)
9. Funny, but an outsider in the pack (5)
10. It’s nothing to laze round inside. (4)
11. Go and get it from the buffet chicken. (5)
12. Sent in upset to a court appearance. (6)
13. Make things with 100 on a floating structure. (5)
14. Initially Grant spread rubbish for sparkly decoration (7)
15. Clan to run together only at night. (9)
16. To infer nothing went up in flames (7)
17. The vixen only contains a noble gas. (5)
18. They help you see further but also produce a sonic blur (10)
19. Have difficulty with parts of the last rug Glen bought. (8)
20. Plenty of household linen for the British city (10)
21. A noble search for a charged particle needs an answer! (8)
22. It’s the highest the night before sleep. (7)
23. This summary isn’t in good condition, I hear. (7)
24. Five-oh needs frozen water to be able to speak. (5)
25. No vital organ for this hungry boy! (6)
26. Mix it a bath and find a place to live. (7)