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Different Types of Crossword Puzzles

Byadmin

Jan 29, 2024
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What do you understand by crossword puzzle?

A crossword is a word puzzle and word search game that usually takes the form of a square or a rectangular grid of white- and black-shaded squares. The game’s goal is to fill the white squares with letters, forming words or phrases, by solving clues, which lead to the answers.

In languages that are written left-to-right, the answer words and phrases are placed in the grid from left to right and from top to bottom. The shaded squares are used to separate the words or phrases.

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.

Types of Crossword Puzzles

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.

Types of Crossword Puzzles

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 proportion 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.

Types of Crossword Puzzles

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.

Types of Crossword Puzzles

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.

Types of Crossword Puzzles

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.

Want to explore more? Well, if you are a crossword puzzle lover, there is good news for you. Your favorite word game is not only fun, but you can also win real cash as well. Wealth Words is a great way to make money online while improving your mental skills.

By admin

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