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Step 1
Solve the easy clues from the crossword first. Don't waste your time solving the tough clues yet; solve the easy clues first so you can fill in some letters and begin to see how the whole crossword fits together.
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Step 2
Use the letters you already have filled into the crossword to help you solve the tougher clues in the crossword. This may seem like common sense, but you may be concentrating so hard to find that clue that you forget that you already have letters to the word right in front of you.
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Step 3
Look for anagrams in the clues that seem cryptic to you. The words "mix," "break," "arrange" and "around" tell you that the solution may be an anagram. With an anagram, you need to rearrange the letters in a word or words in the clue to come up with the solution.
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Step 4
Remember that sometimes crosswords use telescope words. Telescope words mean that the actual solution may be a word or words from the clue.
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Step 5
Keep in mind that solving crosswords is meant to be fun. If you get too frustrated, set the crossword down and take a break. When you come back to it later you may be amazed at how quickly some of the tougher solutions will come to you.
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Step 6
Practice solving crosswords as often as you can. As you complete more and more crosswords, you will begin to see how the links between the clues and the solutions work. You will soon begin to use the tricks you've learned without even having to think about it.
