Learn the 3-Step Method
1Complete the left word first.
pea_: pear, peak, peal, peas — list the real candidates.
2Test each on the right word.
_ot: rot ✓ (r), kot ✕, lot ✓ (l), sot ✕… wait — both r and l work? Check: peaL ✓ Lot ✓ too!
3Use the second pair to decide.
Papers give TWO bracketed pairs needing the SAME letter: sta( )ice → staR/Rice fixes R.
Worked Example
Find the one letter for both pairs: hea ( ? ) all and sof ( ? ) able
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Both words! The letter must finish the left AND start the right.
The tiebreak! When R and L both fit pair one, only the letter that also completes pair two is correct.
Dictionary check! ‘Pall’ is actually a word — but does it fit pair two? sofP ✕. Rare words can fit one pair; the SECOND pair still decides.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- List letters completing the left word.
- Keep those that also start the right word.
- Use the second pair as the tiebreak.
- All four words must be real.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- The answer letter ends the left word and starts the right one.
- List candidates from the left word, filter by the right word.
- The second word-pair is the tiebreak — the letter must complete all four words.
- Every completed word must be a real word.
Frequently asked questions
How do missing-letter questions work?
A single letter sits in the bracket, finishing the word before it and starting the word after: pea(R)ot gives pear and rot.
What if two letters both fit?
Use the question's second pair — the same letter must complete both pairs, which almost always leaves exactly one option.
What's the best strategy?
Generate candidates from the left word systematically (run through the alphabet), then filter — it's faster and safer than hoping the answer pops out.
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