P RIZEW EEK PUZZLE

ACROSS

5. GRASS not grays. GRASS “can be different shades of color.” However, gray is a “color,” so it’s unnecessary to mention the word “color” in reference to it.

6. DEBATE not rebate. DEBATE is apt. Strictly speaking, people don’t become “upset” over the end of “a good” rebate, but rather, over the fact that they won’t be receiving any refund.

7. TRIPE not trite. The “rhymes” may seem like nonsense (i.e., TRIPE), but it’s the sentiments the “cards” express that can be trite.

11. HOG not dog. Since a HOG is usually bought and sold for profit, its value might be “common knowledge,” but many dog owners adopt puppies as an act of love or compassion with no interest in the animal’s “value.”

12. NERVE not verve. Since “dynamic” is defined as a quality characterized by vigorous activity or progress, verve is redundant. NERVE is apt.

16. FIGHT not light. “A sports photographer” would be interested in a rare or “unusual” FIGHT, especially if it’s between two formidable opponents. But countless amateur photographers enjoy snapping pictures with “unusual” light, such as sunrises and sunsets.

17. MIND not mine. A MIND “of one’s own” is apt. The clue doesn’t indicate the state of the mine, which might be defunct or burdened with environmental obligations causing it to be an overly expensive enterprise.

19. MEAN not lean. Most responsible “dog” owners try to keep their pets looking lean and healthy by ensuring they have nutritional meals. The clue is more apt of MEAN.

DOWN

1. SAYINGS not savings. SAYINGS “tend to accumulate”; whereas savings often disappear.

2. DEBT not dent. One can hardly blame the actual “blow for” causing the dent. Normally, a dent is blamed on a person. DEBT is best.

3. DATA not date. The DATA on the “gravestone” would include dates. Therefore, DATA makes a comprehensive answer.

4. HEAD not hear. The “big crowd” could have momentarily gone quiet, being curious about “the alarming sound,” thereby making it easy to hear “where” it’s “coming from.” But with a “big crowd in the way,” HEADING through or around it might indeed prove “to be difficult.”

9. PET not set. PET is a reasonable answer. It’s unlikely that the “wife” would address “her husband” exactly the same (i.e., set) “way,” whatever the circumstances, including an emergency.

10. DUET not diet. The clue is phrased better for DUET. One generally alters a diet or replaces it with another.

14. HIDES not hives. “People” in the garment industry “need” HIDES, but many amateur beekeepers don’t necessarily “need” hives, although they enjoy keeping them as a hobby.

15. TRIES not cries. TRIES makes an all-encompassing answer because “whenever she” cries would be among the occasions when she’s TRIED to “move” an audience.

18. TIE not pie. “Frequent” fits best with a TIE, which might be worn in public a lot, thereby eliciting compliments on numerous occasions. “Comments” about the “relative’s” pie might be less “frequent” since they’d probably only occur when the pie was being served.