© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sunday Puzzle: Inside the Country

Sunday Puzzle
NPR
Sunday Puzzle

On-air challenge: I'm going to give you some three-letter words that are found inside the names' of countries. You name the countries.

Ex. MAR / Denmark (7 letters)

1. WED (6 letters)

2. HAM (7 letters)

3. GAS (10 letters)

4. BOD (8 letters)

5. WIT (11 letters)

6. LAW (6 letters)

7. RUG (7 letters)

8. LIP (11 letters)

9. ROC (7 letters)

1o. OAT (7 letters)

11. HUT (6 letters)

12. BAN (7 letters ) (two answers)

Last week's challenge: Last week's challenge came from listener Laura Kozma, of South River, N.J. Think of brand name in seven letters that you might find in a pharmacy. Drop the last letter and rearrange the letters that remain. You'll get another brand name, in six letters, that you might also find in a pharmacy. What is it?

Challenge answer: Clairol / Ricola

Winner: Eric Feinstein of Ossining, N.Y.

This week's challenge: This week's challenge comes from listener Steve Baggish, of Arlington, Mass. Name a famous classical composer in three syllables. Change the vowel sounds in the first and third syllables, and phonetically you'll name a sport. What is it?

Submit Your Answer

If you know the answer to the challenge, submit it here by Thursday, February 8th at 3 p.m. ET. Listeners whose answers are selected win a chance to play the on-air puzzle. Important: include a phone number where we can reach you.

Copyright 2024 NPR

NPR's Puzzlemaster Will Shortz has appeared on Weekend Edition Sunday since the program's start in 1987. He's also the crossword editor of The New York Times, the former editor of Games magazine, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (since 1978).
Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.