famous emperor once said, "Men are ruled by words.". Another famous man said, "The pen is mightier than the sword." This may seem hard to believe but words, whether spoken or written, are powerful instruments of persuasion and manipulation.

Have you ever cheered up a sad friend with a kind word or humbled a bully with a cutting remark? Words can be wonderful or wicked, kind or cruel, forthright or facetious.

One of the best ways to ensure you're well armed 'word-wise' is to constantly expand your verbal arsenal or vocabulary. A good vocabulary will not only allow you to express yourself but will give you increased confidence to meet the challenges that life brings your way.

Solving crosswords is a great way to improve your vocabulary. It can make learning fun and a completed puzzle is a source of satisfaction as well as a knowledge builder. If you're going to shoot off at the mouth, you may as well have good ammo.

Solve the six puzzles below going from number one, the easiest, to number six, the most challenging. If you come across a new word, look it up in the dictionary. You'd be surprised what wonderful stories words have to tell.

1. Across 1. Adore 5. __ day (dosage) 6. Mark 7. Slippery fish Down 1. Win's opposite 2. Half of twice 3. Young meat 4. Holes in the head?

2. Across 1. Place for money 5. Sign 6. Action 7. Bugs Down 1. Pop 2. Prayer ending 3. They have arches 4. Finishes

SOLUTION

The next two puzzles might contain words that are unfamiliar to you. Don't forget to consult the dictionary.

3. Across 1. Always 5. Custom 6. Evaluate 7. Toboggan Down 1. Makes a mistake 2. Medicine bottle 3. Small suffix 4. Marsh grass

4. Across 1. Sphere 5. Downwind 6. Roman dress 7. Desist Down 1. Furry fliers 2. Loads 3. Game name 4. Bound

SOLUTION

These final two puzzles have easy solutions but the clues are more challenging. Dictionary, anybody?

5. Across 1. Tater 5. Bizarre 6. Selvage 7. Quiches Down 1. Percolate 2. Prefix for foot 3. Impulse 4. Tints

6. Across 1. Go slowly 6. Toss 7. Active 8. Adhere 9. Big hills Down 1. Gorge 2. Café in France 3. Dine at home 4. Throw out 5. Becomes lively

SOLUTION

After solving the puzzles above, see if you can make your own 4X4 grid and fill it in with interlocking words. Betcha can't do it in under ten minutes!

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Here are some links to other good puzzle sites.

• Kids' Crossword Place
  A fun site for kids. Well presented and maintained by Brian Goss.

• Puzzles for Kids
  Online puzzle games for youngsters.