THE TAKE-A-BREAK CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1. Trained leader to request job to do (4) 3. Get through examination with skill

– but only just satisfactorily (8) 9. Tuneless and possibly damp? (7) 10. Sailor half-takes the tiller with greater skill (5) 11. Imposing percussion examination at altitude? (4-8) 13. Perfection achieved as a beginner (6) 15. The sun is out, even poetically, but not observed (6) 17. Brief sale fun, but not to be tolerated (12) 20. Knowledge carrying a little weight (5) 21. Cry of derision from the motorist? (7) 22. Try gains off the straight and narrow (8) 23. I had taken the French to be unemployed (4) DOWN 1. Concerning pathetic contact (8) 2. Made a song about fifty using jargon (5) 4. For part of the year do urge warmth of passion (6) 5. A chamber without seats? (8-4) 6. Graduate has spear to give him equilibrium (7) 7. Feet in an enclosure (4) 8. Race in angry state? (5-7) 12. Conspiring as members of sporting association? (2-6) 14. Sour stuff in grave (7) 16. Hound, half-deaf, will hang around (6) 18. Tie up about fifty who cannot see (5) 19. Mountains mentioned in an unusual psalm (4)

QUICK CLUES

Across 1. Harvest (4) 3. Announce (8) 9. Reasons (7) 10. Darkness (5) 11. Lawfully (12) 13. Ennui (6) 15. Famish (6) 17. Showy (12) 20. Separated (5) 21. Eating away (7) 22. Cripple (8) 23. Experience (4) Down 1. Control (8) 2. Mixed with (5) 4. Take up again (6) 5. Make-up (12) 6. Sharp-cornered (7) 7. Legend (4) 8. Helpful (12) 12. Private (8) 14. Hopelessness (7) 16. Accent (6) 18. Sheep-like (5) 19. Moist (4)