PRIZE WEEK PUZZLE
ACROSS
4. DEFECT not defeat. People who “repeatedly remind you of a” DEFECT “can undermine your self-confidence.” However, you could be playing on a weak team or with a weak partner who might be to blame for a defeat, leaving “your self-confidence” intact.
5. TALKS not tasks. Since TALKS involve other people, naturally some amount of “cooperation” in the planning stage or with listeners makes sense. Many tasks are solitary with no “cooperation” necessary.
6. SEEM not seek. To an outsider, some “poor people may” SEEM “to be as happy as others.” It’s not that they are seeking to measure their level of happiness to that of the “more fortunate”; rather, they are simply trying to build their own “happy” lives.
7. VERVE not nerve. Simply because he “plays computer games all day” doesn’t mean “he lacks” confidence (i.e., nerve). But it’s true of most people that to have sufficient energy or VERVE, you can’t be sitting, playing “computer games all day,” every day.
11. TAUNTED not daunted. Simply because the “individual” is “aggressive” doesn’t necessarily mean he’s brave, so there is a possibility he could be daunted (i.e., overcome with fear). But such a character is hardly “the type to be” TAUNTED, for fear of retaliation afterwards.
14. JUG not mug. Since there is more than one hiker, a mug “of hot chocolate” wouldn’t be nearly as appealing as a JUG, which might serve them all.
16. DAM not ram. There is no indication in the clue that the ram’s purpose is for breeding; whereas, a DAM links up directly with breeding since a DAM is defined as the female parent of an animal.
18. LEANS not leaps. LEANS is apt. The reference to “jumps” is superfluous with leaps.
1. FEWER not newer. The clue makes no reference to the age of the “buildings” (e.g., newer). However, since “taller” is in the comparative form, “taller buildings” are being compared in size to other structures in “the town,” making FEWER a logical answer.
2. STIR not star. To manipulate a situation in public so as to cause a STIR would be the skill of a “successful publicity agent.” But the clue is too vague in regards to star since, to be one, talent plays a major role, but it isn’t mentioned at all.
3. LANE not cane. The primary use of a cane for those with a sight impairment is to steer an individual away from obstacles; whereas, a LANE guides you directly “from point A to point B.”
8. RATE not rats. “Fed up” implies the “tenants” have endured this situation for a while, which links up well with further RATE hikes. Individual “tenants” would probably complain immediately at the sight of a rat; they wouldn’t wait to organize a “protest” or until there’s an “increase in” rats.
9. PAY not pal. PAY is best. The reference to “her” pal implies she has only one friend, which doesn’t fit with the fact that she’s “popular.”
12.DECK not dock. Whether on a big vessel or a sailboat, there could be ship’s gear or personal items on DECK that a “youngster” might consider worth “exploring.” A dock, on the other hand, may well be deserted.
13. BEAT not boat. Even while crew are onboard a boat, they are known to have leisure time, especially if their voyage is a long one. But uniformed police will wait until they’re no longer on the BEAT before they “take it easy.”
15. STARE not start. Since it’s a police “lineup,” the “woman” might expect to see the “suspect”; therefore, she’s unlikely to be shocked (i.e., start) if she does. However, it’s quite probable that she’d STARE at him to ensure she’s identifying the correct person.
17. TOY not try. The fact the youngster is playing with a childish (i.e., “infantile”) TOY might be a criticism put forth by the “psychologist.” Try is too vague since there’s no indication as to what the child is trying to do, which could be some action completely unrelated to the “game-playing” observation.