Puzzles, Trivia & Word Power

Challenge yourself by solving these puzzles and mind stretchers, then check your answers on page 127.

CROSSWORD ACROSS

1 Physical endurance (7) 5 Orb, globe (6) 9 Nimble, sprightly (7) 10 Section of writing (7) 11 Group of musicians who play large metal drums (5,4) 12 Warning signal (5) 13 Church with a convent (8) 15 Shedding leaves annually (9) 17 Explosive used to fire cannons (9) 19 Total the amounts (3,2) 21 River in Germany (5) 22 Visited unannounced (7,2) 24 Loosening your grip (7,2) 25 Humid and muggy (5) 26 Clever or sparkling (6) 27 Finicky person (7)

DOWN

1 Welsh birthplace of Dylan Thomas (7) 2 Similar (5) 3 If things went perfectly (7) 4 Clapped hands (9) 5 Cut to ribbons (5) 6 Careworn or gaunt from lack of sleep (7) 7 Tell a bedtime story (4,5) 8 River by the Tower of London (6) 14 First man to run a mile in under four minutes (9) 16 Enclose with a barrier (6,3) 17 Use a mouthwash (6) 18 Opportunity, vacancy (7) 19 Features, facets (7) 20 Money given for goods (7) 22 Finger or number (5) 23 Wilt, sag (5)