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Title Sine Qua Non
Setter Shackleton
Series The Listener
Number 4079
Date 27/03/2010
Grid 13×13 barred grid with 180° symmetry.
Preamble Most clues contain a misprint of one letter in the definition. The correct letters, in clue order, reveal hints for deriving two versions of a question from the remaining clues. The penultimate element of the first version is one of four that share identical components, as described by a five-letter definition concealed in the grid. These four elements and another five-letter word must be highlighted to show key information relating to the question and an initial representation of the questioner.
One of the four elements, interpreted differently, indicates which letter of which word in each non-misprint clue contributes to another message. The action it describes must be applied to the letters of the five-letter definition (and their counterparts) to reveal a representation of that element which must be highlighted in full. Finally, the key information must be modified to provide a consistent rendition. All entries are words in both the initial and final grids. The Chambers Dictionary (2008) is the primary reference; The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations will also help.
Solution NotesReveal Solution & Keywords
Acknowledgements Preamble and solution notes © 2024 The Times. Reproduced with permission.
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