PRIZE WEEK PUZZLE

ACROSS

5. BOAST not boost. A BOAST is definitely not what you could call “concrete,” but a promotion or a financial windfall (i.e., boost) is, in actual fact, a “concrete” event, whether it proves successful or not.

6. MARRED not marked. MARRED gives the “buyer” just cause to be “upset.” However, it could be marked with manufacturing codes or handling information, which can be vital information for the shipper and consumer.

7. AID not aim. The clue words “foreign policy” make aim superfluous. AID is best.

11. SERVE not verve. Being “shaken up by” something implies an immediate, startling effect on an individual, such as a powerful, unexpected SERVE. However, many athletes play with verve throughout a game. Furthermore, often the effect this has on an opponent is one of being frustrated rather than being “shaken up.”

12. THRONG not throne. The clue word “ceremonial” is superfluous with throne. THRONG makes a better choice.

14.PITCH not ditch. PITCH (defined as: a thick, dark sticky substance used for paving) might well be described as “sluggish” in “appearance.” But there are many empty ditches that have nothing flowing through them at all.

16. SALMON not saloon. SALMON makes a straightforward answer. It’s not the saloon’s “good taste,” but rather the owner’s “good taste” that ultimately make the premises attractive.

17. MARRY not harry. MARRY is best. To harry (defined as: torment, harass) anyone, not just a “temperamental” person, can have a “negative consequence.”

DOWN

1. ROLE not robe. The cleaning “treatment” used on a bathrobe isn’t usually seen as anything different than the cleaning method used on the rest of one’s day-to-day wardrobe. However, for a “conscientious” person, “it’s natural” “to want to give a good” theatrical or cinematic ROLE the right “sort of treatment.”

2. STRIVE not strike. It is the “union” members who go out on strike. Furthermore, STRIVE includes striking as one means of achieving the membership’s “objectives.”

3. VASE not case. Flowers that are in a VASE are usually “arranged” “neatly” in order to look their best and so that none are crushed. The clue doesn’t give any indication as to the number of items; if there aren’t many, there may be no obvious need to “neatly” arrange them.

4. HEAR not bear. The “homebuyer” “must be prepared to” HEAR “the noise” of the airplanes and traffic, but the purchaser might be so relieved to have had the opportunity to buy an “affordable” house that it might not feel like much of a burden to have to bear.

8. TRAIT not tract. The fact that the “son” owns a tract of land used for “religious” purposes might well be an indication (i.e., TRAIT) of a “religious” affiliation, making TRAIT a comprehensive answer.

9. STACKS not stocks. STACKS have height and therefore could be seen, especially through a child’s eyes, as being “mountainous.” Stocks, however, are often spread out and not “mountainous” at all.

10. MOB not job. “An experienced force may” “be brought in to deal with a dangerous” MOB. But on a job site, it’s not so much a matter of dealing with the “dangerous” job as it is about avoiding any financial or physical setbacks because of it.

13. SHORT not shorn. SHORT makes an all-inclusive answer since, in order for “hair” to be SHORT, it must be shorn.

15. PLAY not plan. The “advice” could be “not to” PLAY “a great deal” to avoid muscle strain or injury. Planning is too vague since it could be as innocuous as going out to dinner with friends; in which case, there’d be very little harm in doing so.