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Show the word gridAll 16 words — you figure out the groups
Show the themesCategory names only, no words revealed
One word per groupTheme name + one word per category
Full solutionAll words and explanations
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Word grid
All 16 words, sorted alphabetically. Group them into four categories of four.
CHEESE
CHUMP
CLIMATE
CORN
DRAIN
DUCT
EGG
KNUCKLES
LOOSE
PIPE
SAP
SCHMALTZ
SEA
SEWER
SMILE
WINDOW
Themes
The four category names, easiest to hardest. No words revealed yet.
CONDUITS FOR WATER REMOVALStraightforward
FOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH SENTIMENTALITYModerate
THINGS TO CRACKTricky
___ CHANGEDevious
One word per group
Theme name plus one word from each category.
CONDUITS FOR WATER REMOVALStraightforward
THESE CARRY WASTEWATER OR LIQUID AWAY FROM WHERE YOU DON'T WANT IT+ 3 more…
FOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH SENTIMENTALITYModerate
THESE FOOD-RELATED WORDS ALSO MEAN OVERLY SENTIMENTAL OR MUSHY+ 3 more…
THINGS TO CRACKTricky
YOU MIGHT 'CRACK' EACH OF THESE — LITERALLY OR FIGURATIVELY+ 3 more…
___ CHANGEDevious
EACH OF THESE WORDS CAN PRECEDE 'CHANGE'+ 3 more…
Full solution
CONDUITS FOR WATER REMOVALStraightforward
DRAIN,DUCT,PIPE,SEWER
DRAIN, DUCT, PIPE, and SEWER are all conduits or channels used to carry water or waste away from buildings or areas
FOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH SENTIMENTALITYModerate
CHEESE,CORN,SAP,SCHMALTZ
CHEESE, CORN, SAP, and SCHMALTZ are all food products that also serve as slang terms for something overly sentimental or clichéd
THINGS TO CRACKTricky
EGG,KNUCKLES,SMILE,WINDOW
EGG, KNUCKLES, SMILE, and WINDOW can all follow the verb 'crack' — you crack an egg, crack your knuckles, crack a smile, and crack a window open
___ CHANGEDevious
CHUMP,CLIMATE,LOOSE,SEA
CHUMP, CLIMATE, LOOSE, and SEA all precede the word CHANGE to form common phrases: chump change, climate change, loose change, sea change