Have you ever noticed how the simplest of activities can bring the most pleasure?
Take crosswords for example. There is something very relaxing about sitting down and solving a crossword puzzle while having a cup of coffee. After all, there should be no rules when it comes to enjoying the simplest pleasures!
Crossword puzzles have always been one of the most popular word games in the world. Moreover, it is a unique way to elevate the mood, reduce stress and prevent dementia.
There are a number of ways to classify crosswords but here is the major breakdown:
1. Cryptic Crosswords – The Challenging One
Cryptic crosswords have taken standard crossword up a notch having clues which read like scrambled poetry. You may have heard from others that cryptic crosswords are challenging and obscure.
But when you are moving in the right direction, practicing a lot, they turn out to be extremely rewarding and interesting. They offer the best mental workout but are difficult to grasp.
The clues never have the literal meaning but give a hint regarding how the answer has to be found. The hints that are given always form a grammatically valid phrase having their own meaning that may not be related to the real answer. You have to find the hidden clues to solve them.
2. Blocked Grids – The power-packed quiz
This is the first type of crossword that will come to mind when someone thinks about ‘crossword puzzle’. The grid type having squares where the words end and the spaces between the words is marked by one of the squares being filled in forms a block.
Usually, the grids are 15 squares by 15 squares but this isn’t obligatory. In a common 15×15 puzzle crossword, there are approximately 30-32 words.
3. Barred Grids – The real brainteaser
They are quite different from the aforementioned. Word endings and different divisions are marked by bars. The standard size is 12×12 but higher letter proportions in each answer are cross-verified by crossing answer. You need tricks to crack as the words are smartly packed.
Even when the grid is smaller, the puzzles sometimes have 32-36 answers in them. Moreover, the vocabulary of these quizzes is generally more recondite when compared to blocked grids.
4. Thematic Crosswords – This one is different
This type of crossword is theme based. The clues generally have added twists and misprints related to the answer in the wordplay. The best way to understand is to try yourself as it is a bit steep but an exhilarating learning curve.
5. Codeword Crosswords – The technical type
Code words look similar to a crossword puzzle with its grid layout but there are no clues to follow. Rather the alphabet is replaced by a number.
You have to find out which letter has what number by deciphering the numbers on the grid. This is not as challenging as it may sound as there are 2-3 letters already having their numerical value.
6. Word search – The Easy Peasy One
In this type of crossword, you will see a gridded square with random letters. At the bottom or at the side there will be clues that you have to locate within those squares.
You should have a good observation to see the words written in the random letters. You might have to search upwards, downwards, diagonally or even backward.
Of course, there are a few more word puzzles liked jumbled words, anagrams, trivia, scramble etc. but the aforementioned are some popular ones.
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Go ahead and try the fun and crazy crossword puzzles. They will certainly help you get smarter!
