101 ThematicCrossword Puzzles
for learners of English
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Jeffrey Hill
2,500+ words
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Making or distributing copies of this PDF e-book constitutes copyright infringement. This e-
book may not be reproduced, shared or stored on a server in whole or in part, by any
means, without written permission from the copyright holder.
First edition May 2016.
Jeffrey Hill
Le Havre, France
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.crosswordenglish.com
Copyright Jeffrey Hill©2016.
Author's Note With your purchase of this PDF e-book, you are free to make photocopies of the contents
for non-commercial personal and educational use on condition that they are not altered in
any way. However, I would kindly ask you not to redistribute or share this e-book, which
represents many long hours of work. Thank you!
If you enjoyed doing these crosswords, check out my two books of crossword puzzles which
are available on Amazon.
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
“Of all word games, the crossword puzzle is the
most popular and the most versatile in language
teaching/learning. It is the most useful and
multifaceted tool to teach, learn, and recall, as
well as expand one’s knowledge of vocabulary.”
Anthony Mollica, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education, Brock University
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Table of Contents
Introduction and Notes for Learners and Teachers ...................... 6
Resources ...................................................................... 11
The Crossword Puzzles
1. Air Travel (1) ................................................................. 13
2. Air Travel (2) ................................................................. 14
3. American English ............................................................ 15
4. American Slang .............................................................. 16
5. Animals (1) ................................................................... 17
6. Animals (2) ................................................................... 18
7. Australia ...................................................................... 19
8. The Body (1) ................................................................. 20
9. The Body (2) ................................................................. 21
10. Bonfire Night ............................................................... 22
11. British Slang ................................................................ 23
12. Business ..................................................................... 24
13. Cars and Motoring (1) ..................................................... 25
14. Cars and Motoring (2) ..................................................... 26
15. Cars and Motoring (3) ..................................................... 27
16. Cats .......................................................................... 28
17. China ......................................................................... 29
18. Christmas (1) ............................................................... 30
19. Christmas (2) ............................................................... 31
20. Cinema ...................................................................... 32
21. City Life ..................................................................... 33
22. Clothes and Accessories (1) .............................................. 34
23. Clothes and Accessories (2) .............................................. 35
24. Computers .................................................................. 36
25. Countries .................................................................... 37
26. Crime and Punishment .................................................... 38
27. Cycling ....................................................................... 39
28. Easter ........................................................................ 40
29. Education (1) ............................................................... 41
30. Education (2) ............................................................... 42
31. Education (3) ............................................................... 43
32. England ...................................................................... 44
33. The Environment .......................................................... 45
34. Farming ............................................................. 46
35. Food and Drink (1) ................................................. 47
36. Food and Drink (2) ......................................................... 48
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
37. Food and Drink (3) ......................................................... 49
38. Food and Drink (4) ......................................................... 50
39. Football ..................................................................... 51
40. France ....................................................................... 52
41. Halloween ................................................................... 53
42. Health and Sickness (1) ................................................... 54
43. Health and Sickness (2) ................................................... 55
44. Health and Sickness (3) ................................................... 56
45. Health and Sickness (4) ................................................... 57
46. Health and Sickness (5) ................................................... 58
47. Horses ....................................................................... 59
48. Idioms ........................................................................ 60
49. Internet...................................................................... 61
50. Ireland ....................................................................... 62
51. Irregular Verbs (1) ......................................................... 63
52. Irregular Verbs (2) ......................................................... 64
53. Irregular Verbs (3) ......................................................... 65
54. Irregular Verbs (4) ......................................................... 66
55. Irregular Verbs (5) ......................................................... 67
56. James Bond ................................................................. 68
57. Jobs (1) ...................................................................... 69
58. Jobs (2) ...................................................................... 70
59. Literature and Books ...................................................... 71
60. London ....................................................................... 72
61. Money ........................................................................ 73
62. Movie Titles (1) ............................................................ 74
63. Movie Titles (2) ............................................................ 75
64. Music ......................................................................... 76
65. Nationalities ................................................................ 77
66. The Natural World ......................................................... 78
67. New Year .................................................................... 79
68. Newspapers and the Press ............................................... 80
69. One Thing and Another (1) ............................................... 81
70. One Thing and Another (2) ............................................... 82
71. Opposites (1) ............................................................... 83
72. Opposites (2) ............................................................... 84
73. Politics ....................................................................... 85
74. Proverbs and Sayings (1) ................................................. 86
75. Proverbs and Sayings (2) ................................................. 87
76. Proverbs and Sayings (3) ................................................. 88
77. Pubs and Drinking (1) ..................................................... 89
78. Pubs and Drinking (2) ..................................................... 90
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
79. Rail Travel .................................................................. 91
80. Rugby ........................................................................ 92
81. Scotland ..................................................................... 93
82. Sea Travel ................................................................... 94
83. The Seaside ................................................................. 95
84. Shakespeare ................................................................ 96
85. Shopping..................................................................... 97
86. Similes with 'As' ............................................................ 98
87. Similes with 'Like' .......................................................... 99
88. Space ........................................................................ 100
89. St. Patrick's Day ............................................................ 101
90. Switzerland ................................................................. 102
91. Telephoning ................................................................ 103
92. Television and Radio ...................................................... 104
93. Tennis ........................................................................ 105
94. The Beatles ................................................................. 106
95. USA ........................................................................... 107
96. Valentine's Day ............................................................. 108
97. Wales ........................................................................ 109
98. Weather (1) ................................................................. 110
99. Weather (2) ................................................................. 111
100. Work (1).................................................................... 112
101. Work (2).................................................................... 113
Solutions ....................................................................... 114
Word List (alphabetical) ..................................................... 131
Word Lists (by puzzle) ....................................................... 141
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Introduction Crossword puzzles have been around since the beginning of the twentieth century and have
been used in Ianguage teaching since the 1950s at least. It is easy to see why, since
crossword puzzles are not only a fun way to acquire and revise vocabulary (unlike boring
word lists!), they also exercise your brain.
As a language teacher myself (at the EM Normandie business school in France), I have
created dozens of crossword puzzles for my students over the years, and this collection
brings together some of those, as well as many new ones created especially.
Although some people think of crosswords as being a bit old-fashioned, they have kept up
with the digital age and many crosswords can now be found on the Internet or in the form
of apps. The good news is that all of the crosswords in this collection are available online
for free. So whether you're completing the grids using pencil and paper, a keyboard and
mouse, or just your fingers on a touchscreen, happy puzzling!
The Puzzles The puzzles in this collection are suitable for learners at intermediate level and above (B1+ on the Common European Framework). Each puzzle is based on a particular theme, and most, if not all, of the answers are
connected with that theme. Some of the bigger themes such as Health and Sickness and
Irregular Verbs have several puzzles devoted to them so as to reflect their importance in
the lexicon. In all, over 2,500 different words are used, most of which are high-frequency
items. And, of course, you'll find a lot more related words used in the clues.
All the puzzles use British-style grids, which have more black squares than their American
counterparts. British English (BrE) grammar and spelling is used throughout, except where
American English (AmE) is indicated. So, 'travelled', not 'traveled', and 'colour', not 'color',
etc.
To access the online version of the crossword, either click on the computer icon to the
right of the grid at the top, or scan the QR code next to it.
Solutions to the puzzles are given at the end of this PDF e-book, as well as separate word
lists for each puzzle, and a global word list featuring all the words used in the puzzles in
alphabetical order.
Notes for Learners If you are not familiar with crossword puzzles, don't worry — it's very easy! The aim is to
use the clues to find the words you need to fill in the grid. Clues can be either Across (i.e.,
horizontal) or Down (i.e., vertical). For example, if the clue for 3 down is 'The back part
of a plane (4)', this means that you are looking for a word with four letters which will fit
vertically in the grid with the first letter on the square with the number three in it (the
answer is 'tail', by the way).
There are three main types of clue used in this collection. We've already seen an example
of the first one: the definition. Another common type of clue involves filling in a gap. For
example, 'Chickens ____ eggs (3)'. Here, you need a three-letter word that will fill the gap
in the sentence (the answer is 'lay').
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Finally, there are a small number of 'cryptic' clues, just to make you think a bit harder. For
example, 'This creature won't win any races! (5)' in the Animals (2) crossword. Any ideas?
The answer is 'snail'. Perhaps you were thinking of 'tortoise', which is a good guess, but
doesn't fit as it has too many letters.
If you get stuck (i.e., can't find the answer), you can, of course, refer to the solution,
which you will find at the back of the book. Alternatively, you can consult the word list for
the crossword you're working on, which lists all the answers in order of length. 'Cheating' is
OK, by the way. The aim is to learn, so don't hesitate to use a dictionary or online
'crossword solver' to help with a particularly tricky clue. OneLook is particularly helpful for
finding answers if you already have some letters.
If you're doing the crossword online, you have even more help options. For example, you
can reveal a letter or a word, or check to see if you have the right word. And the complete
solution is just one click away — but don't give in too easily!
Finally, some general tips on learning vocabulary. Research has shown that learning
vocabulary in lexical sets (i.e., groups of related words) is more effective than learning
words at random, so this crossword collection fits in with that approach. However, don't
stop there. Why not use an online flashcard creator such as Quizlet to create your own lists
of words to learn? You can use the word lists at the back of this e-book to start you off,
and then add more words as you come across them. And to make sure the words enter your
long-term memory, redo the crosswords at regular intervals. The online versions have a
timer, so make a note of your time and try to beat it. And be sure to check out the
Resources section of this book, where you'll find lots more great ideas for expanding your
English vocabulary with crosswords.
Notes for Teachers I'm assuming you've read the Notes for Learners, so I won't repeat the information
contained in that section, but rather look at some of the different ways that crosswords
can be used in the classroom.
Many teachers regard crosswords as a useful filler activity if they’ve got a few minutes to
spare at the end of a lesson (I've been guilty of that myself!), but there are much more
creative ways to exploit them. Here are a few ideas …
Pair or Group Solving In my experience, if you give each student a copy of the crossword and tell them to work
in pairs or groups, they'll just do it on their own. So, give them a single copy of the
crossword to share. This will encourage them to collaborate to solve the puzzle. And why
not introduce a competitive element by having a token prize for the group that finishes
first? Note that the online versions have a timer which you can use for such competitions.
Jigsaw Crossword You can do this activity in pairs or groups. If students are working in pairs, give Student A
the grid and Student B the clues. They then have to work together to solve the puzzle
orally without looking at each other's material. For groups of three, give one the grid, one
the Across clues and one the Down clues. For groups of four, give the extra student the
Solution or Word List for that puzzle. He or she acts as a guide, helping out with hints or
confirming guesses. This should generate plenty of language for asking for repetition and
clarifying, as well as discussion about the possible answers.
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
19. Christmas (2)
Across
1 A message of good wishes (9)
7 Santa has a list of nice and ____ children (7)
9 Fuel for the Christmas fire (3)
10 They celebrate Christmas on the beach here (3)
11 Aromatic resin and one of the gifts of 24 across
(5)
12 ____ Christmas and a Happy New Year! (5)
14 Popular (but unoriginal) Christmas present (5)
16 I always make my ____ Christmas presents (3)
17 The colour of Santa's suit (3)
19 Prior to the birth of Jesus (abbr.) (2)
20 'Jingle ____' is a well-known Christmas song. (5)
22 Alternative word for Christmas (4)
24 Aka the three wise men (4)
25 I’ll let you ___ up the Christmas lights! (3)
27 '____ Three Kings' is a well-known Christmas
carol (2)
28 Plant with red berries for decoration (5)
30 The earthly father of Jesus (6)
31 Asda's Christmas _____ campaign was
condemned as 'sexist' (2)
32 Santa's means of transport (6)
33 Have you sent out your Christmas _____ yet? (5)
Down
1 It makes a change from turkey! (5)
2 You attach this to a present to show who it's for
(3)
3 Where Father Christmas lives (5,4)
4 Cool guy with a carrot for a nose (7)
5 Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very ____
nose (song lyric) (5)
6 It's famous for its Christmas tree (abbr.) (3)
8 Remove the paper from presents (6)
13 Santa's ninth reindeer (7)
14 What some people do during their Christmas
holiday (3)
15 To give is better than to ____ (proverb) (7)
18 Mistletoe is a plant commonly used ____ a
Christmas decoration (2)
20 Christians celebrate the ____ of Jesus on
December 25th (5)
21 They're strung up at Christmas (6)
22 It comes a week after Christmas (3,4)
23 Christmas songs (6)
26 Je rêve d'un Noël _____ (5)
29 Common abbreviation of the word 'Christmas' (4)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12 13
14 15 16 17
18
19 20 21 22
23
24 25 26 27
28 29
30
31
32 33
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
20. Cinema
Across
4 This movie has been ____ into ten languages (6)
8 Written version of a film (6)
12 Place where tickets are sold (3,6)
15 What time's the next ____? (4)
16 Movie that continues the story of an earlier one
(6)
18 Is the movie dubbed or are there ____? (9)
19 Studio furniture and scenery (3)
22 Everyone loves a happy ___ (3)
23 Brad Pitt's my favourite ___ (5)
25 Film award (5)
28 ____ Pitt and Jolie were great in that movie (4)
30 Make a film (5)
31 Cowboy film (7)
32 Usually shown before the movie starts (3)
Down
1 They're going to ____ the film in July (7)
2 Play a role (3)
3 What's on ____ the movies? (2)
5 Disney animation (2)
6 Film that is very popular and successful (11)
7 Failure (3)
9 Cinema equipment used for showing films (9)
10 'An Inconvenient Truth' or 'Amy', for example
(11)
11 Person who deals with practical and financial
aspects of making a movie (8)
13 Movie (4)
14 Animated film (7)
17 Where films are made; film company (6)
20 James Bond is one (3)
21 Female actor (7)
24 Who played the ____ of Voldemort in the Harry
Potter movies? (4)
26 Famous actor or actress (4)
27 Unsuccessful movie (4)
29 Successful movie (3)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
10
11 12 13
14
15 16
17
18 19
20 21
22
23
24 25 26 27
28 29
30
31 32
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
21. City Life
Across
3 City leader (5)
6 Retail outlet (5)
8 Seat of local government (4,4)
9 Traditional place for a pint (3)
10 Snack, coffee or wine ____ (3)
11 Californian city (abbr.) (2)
13 Edge of the pavement (4)
14 A place to live (9)
16 Double-decker ____ (3)
17 Place for borrowing books (7)
21 Where sick people go (8)
23 Poor area with bad housing (4)
24 Crossing place (6)
25 Is it ____ to the city centre? (3)
26 Indoor retail environment (8,6)
Down
1 You buy things here (4)
2 British policeman (slang) (5)
3 Large important city (10)
4 Do you ____ or rent your house? (3)
5 American equivalent of 26 across (4)
6 Residential area away from the centre (7)
7 Big church (9)
12 Do you prefer the city ____ the country? (2)
15 The traffic is awful during ____ hour (4)
16 Road going round a town (6)
18 A house or school, for example (8)
19 Describes a tall 18 down (4-4)
20 A place to pray (6)
22 A street in a town or city (6)
24 Noise made by cars as a warning (4)
25 Do you live in a ____ or a house? (4)
1 2 3 4 5
6 7
8
9 10 11
12
13 14
15
16 17 18 19
20 21 22
23 24 25
26
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
22. Clothes and Accessories (1)
Across
4 What footballers wear on their feet (5)
6 Vest, pants, etc. (9)
7 Shirt for women (6)
9 This skirt doesn't fit. I'll have to go on a ____. (4)
12 Married people usually wear one (4)
13 Tie ____ your shoelaces or you'll trip over (2)
15 Warm waterproof jacket, usually with a hood (6)
16 Part of a footballer's kit (6)
17 Raised part on the bottom at the back of a shoe
(4)
18 Underwear women wear to support their breasts
(3)
19 What clothes are made of (8)
22 Where women keep make-up, perfume, phone,
etc. (3)
24 Delicate cloth with a lot of holes in it (4)
26 Anti-theft device (3)
27 90% of Britons refuse to wear this. (3)
28 Piece of underwear worn under a shirt (4)
29 Headgear (3)
30 Male neckwear (3)
31 Can be mini or maxi (5)
32 Homophone for 33 across (2)
33 Can you ____ this button back on? (3)
Down
1 Can you help me put my coat ____? (2)
2 Most right-handed people wear a watch on their
____ wrist (4)
3 Popular at a particular time (11)
4 It holds your trousers up (4)
5 I can't ____ a thing without my glasses (3)
6 Take your clothes off (7)
8 Not natural (9)
10 Levis, for example (5)
11 Is this coat ____ or must it be dry-cleaned? (8)
14 Small bag for keeping money in (5)
19 Her nails were painted red to ____ her dress (5)
20 British equivalent of American 'pantyhose' (6)
21 Old torn clothes (4)
23 They keep your hands warm or dry (6)
25 If your teams wins, I'll ____ my hat (3)
27 This dress doesn't ____ because it's too big (3)
30 Made-____-measure (2)
1 2 3 4 5
6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14 15
16 17
18
19 20 21 22 23
24 25
26
27 28
29 30
31 32 33
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
23. Clothes and Accessories (2)
Across
1 Become smaller after being washed (6)
3 Baseball accessory? (3)
8 Designer clothes usually have one (4)
9 American English for British 'trainers' (8)
10 ____! I'm glad that fashion show is over. (4)
11 '____ on' is the opposite of 'take off' (3)
12 Jacket with a fur-lined hood (5)
13 Careful! These are my ____ trousers. (4)
15 The washing instructions are on the ____ (5)
17 It covers your arm (6)
18 Put on (literary) (3)
20 Men don't usually ____ make-up. (4)
24 Do up (6)
25 Warm outer garment (4)
26 Make clothes with wool (4)
27 Feminine footwear (4,5)
28 Bathing costume (8,6)
Down
1 Soft, comfortable shoes worn inside the house (8)
2 These jeans were supposed to be ____-shrink! (3)
4 Marilyn supposedly wore only this to bed! (7)
5 Formal neckwear for men (3,3)
6 It's useful for keeping things in (6)
7 Office clothing style for Fridays? (6)
9 Another word for pullover or jumper (7)
14 They protect your eyes from bright light (10)
16 Stereotypical City headgear (6,3)
18 Clean clothes using chemicals instead of water
(3,5)
19 Popular clothing style (7)
21 Thin, smooth cloth produced by worms (4)
22 Two-piece swimsuit (6)
23 Take that stupid hat ____! (3)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9
10
11
12 13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22 23
24 25
26 27
28
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
24. Computers
Across
1 Enter a username and ____ to log in (8)
6 Make a hard copy (5)
9 Surface for moving computer pointing device
(5,3)
10 Microsoft (abbr.) (2)
13 Program used for displaying and dealing with
numbers (11)
16 Fault in a computer system or program (3)
17 Machinery and electronic parts of computer
system (8)
19 I lost all my files and had to ____ them. (4)
21 Type of monitor (3)
23 Storage device (4)
24 Small portable computer (6)
25 Smallest unit of information in a computer
memory (3)
27 Computer that provides data to other computers
(6)
29 Small piece of silicon with electronic circuits on
it (4)
31 Collection of data stored under a particular name
(4)
32 A list of possible choices on a computer screen
(4)
Down
1 Small computer designed for one person (2)
2 Store data on a disk, flash drive, etc. (4)
3 Word file extension (3)
4 Mac ____ PC? (2)
5 The printer's run out of ____. (3)
6 What you often do after cutting. (5)
7 Movable indicator on a computer screen (6)
8 Information stored by a computer (4)
9 Iconic Apple computer (3)
11 Small laptop computer (7)
12 Piece of software that runs on a computer (7)
14 Message sent by computer (5)
15 Part of a computer that reads data (4,5)
17 Multinational information technology company
(2)
18 Computer screen showing program icons (7)
20 Suddenly stop working (5)
22 Remove something stored on a computer (6)
26 Small symbol on computer screen representing
program or file (4)
28 Permanent part of computer memory (3)
30 Information technology (abbr.) (2)
1 2 3 4 5
6
7 8
9 10 11 12
13 14 15
16
17 18 19
20 21 22 23
24 25 26
27 28
29 30
31 32
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
25. Countries
Across
1 Also known as Holland (3,11)
7 World's largest continent (4)
9 It was reunified in 1976 (7)
10 World's second most populous country (5)
11 Not a country but a province of Indonesia (4)
12 Lisbon is its capital (8)
15 Part of the British Isles (7)
19 Land of the rising sun (5)
20 Home of the Inca Empire (4)
21 Most populous member of the EU (7)
22 Host of 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics (6)
Down
2 Home of the pyramids (5)
3 Part of the United Kingdom (7)
4 The All Blacks hail from here (3,7)
5 Scandinavian country (6)
6 A Great country? (7)
8 The country formerly known as Persia (4)
10 Jewish state (6)
13 The States (3)
14 The world's second-largest country by total area
(6)
15 Home of the Roman Empire (5)
16 Famous for its fjords (6)
17 North or South? (5)
18 Take some warm clothes if you're going to this
country! (5)
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
9
10
11
12 13
14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 22
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
26. Crime and Punishment
Across
1 Free someone from jail or custody (7)
5 The police used tear ____ to control the crowd
(3)
7 The crime of stealing (5)
9 Force someone to have sex (4)
10 The crime of entering a building illegally and
stealing things from it (8)
11 Injure with a knife or sharp object (4)
12 Court official who decides legal cases (5)
18 Police officer whose job is to investigate crimes
and catch criminals (9)
20 The system of rules that everyone in a country
must obey (3)
22 He was arrested for travelling on a forged ____
(4)
24 Information used in court to try to prove
something (8)
25 Informal term for 'police officer' (3)
26 He's ____ jail for arson (2)
27 The crime of gaining money by a trick or by
lying (5)
28 Attack in order to steal money (3)
30 Place where criminals are kept (6)
31 Steal money from your employer (8)
Down
1 Crime of stealing from a bank, shop, person, etc.,
often by using violence (7)
2 Someone who tells lies (4)
3 Kill somebody by squeezing their throat and neck
(8)
4 He was found guilty and sentenced to six ____ in
jail (5)
6 Take sth without the owner's permission (5)
7 Decide whether somebody is innocent or guilty
in court (3)
8 Process of examining a case in a court of law (5)
13 Take illegal drugs regularly (3)
14 Someone who has committed a crime (8)
15 Act as a lawyer for somebody who has been
charged with a crime (6)
16 Make someone give you money by threatening to
reveal their secrets (9)
17 Criminals ____ a debt to society (3)
19 The judge sentenced him ____ life (2)
21 Take someone away illegally by force (6)
23 To find someone not guilty (6)
27 Money that has to be paid as a punishment for
breaking the law (4)
29 He was arrested for threatening a police officer
with a ____ (3)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9
10
11
12 13 14
15 16 17
18 19 20
21
22 23 24
25
26 27 28 29
30
31
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
27. Cycling
Across
1 I cycle ___ work every day (2)
3 They hold the front wheel (5)
7 I learnt how to ____ a bike at the age of five (4)
8 The part you press with your foot (5)
9 You might get lost without one (3)
11 The part of the inner tube you attach the pump to
(5)
14 You ring this to give a warning signal (4)
15 The part at the centre of the wheel (3)
16 It transfers power from pedals to drive-wheel (5)
20 Connectors used to join frame tubes (4)
22 Material used for building bicycle frames (9)
24 Used for steering (10)
26 A bicycle made for two (6)
27 Inflate (4,2)
29 Put oil or grease (9)
30 I ___ 50 miles on my bike yesterday (3)
Down
1 Rubber part which fits around the wheel (4)
2 A bike has a front one and a back one (5)
3 It's important to choose the right ____ size when
you buy a bike (5)
4 How fast you are going (5)
5 ____ bikes are lighter than ones made of steel (6)
6 Long piece of wire used to control gears or
brakes (5)
10 A flat tyre (8)
12 All Terrain Bike (abbr.) (3)
13 French for mountain bike (3)
15 It protects your head in case of accident (6)
17 Every cyclist should know how to patch or
change an ____ (5,4)
18 Metal edge of a wheel onto which the tyre is
fixed (3)
19 What you sit on (6)
21 Tool for turning nuts and bolts (7)
23 This tyre needs pumping ____ (2)
25 A small motorcycle which you can also pedal
like a bicycle (5)
28 The part of the brake that comes into contact with
the wheel (3)
1 2 3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18
19
20 21 22 23
24 25
26 27 28
29 30
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
28. Easter
Across
1 He traditionally delivers an Easter Sunday
message (4)
3 Easter is the most important event in the
Christian ____. (8)
8 To put someone to death on a cross (7)
10 You can decorate eggs with this (3)
11 Parents sometimes ____ eggs for children to find
at Easter (4)
13 Jesus shared the Last Supper with them (9)
16 Another word for 'rabbit' and a traditional Easter
animal (5)
17 Name for activity described in 11 across (3,4)
19 The period of forty days which comes before
Easter (4)
20 The word 'Easter' appears only once in the King
James ____. (5)
22 Popular Easter animal symbol (4)
24 Easter celebrates the resurrection of ____. (5)
25 Traditional Easter gift (7)
27 '____ has risen' (Matthew 28:6) (2)
28 Many children ____ hard-boiled eggs for Easter
(5)
29 Popular Easter animal symbol (5)
Down
2 Easter Sunday procession in USA (6)
4 Hens ____ eggs (3)
5 Popular Easter animal symbol (8)
6 According to the Scriptures, Jesus ____ on the
third day (4)
7 Jesus died on the ____ (5)
9 Good ____ falls two days before Easter Sunday
(6)
12 Hot cross ____ are a UK Easter tradition (4)
14 The part of the egg which is decorated (5)
15 The Sunday before Easter is known as ____
Sunday (4)
16 Traditional Easter headwear (6)
18 The week leading up to Easter (4,4)
20 A place to put your eggs - but not all of them! (6)
21 Jesus was put to death ____ the Romans (2)
23 Easter usually falls in April, but this year it's in
____ (5)
25 Traditional Easter food (4)
26 I'm giving ____ chocolate after Easter! (2)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7
8 9
10
11
12 13 14
15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
29. Education (1)
Across
2 Advanced research degree (3)
4 University qualification (6)
7 Officially make somebody leave a school (5)
11 Short piece of writing on a particular subject (5)
12 Number of points in a test (5)
13 Ask questions to evaluate knowledge (4)
15 Teach a person skills (5)
18 The dismal science? (9)
20 Person in charge of university department (4)
21 Mixed (abbr.) (2-2)
22 Short holiday in middle of a term (4-4)
26 He studied history ____ Oxford (2)
27 First degree in an arts subject (2)
28 Where teachers teach (9)
29 Those who can, do; those who can't, ____
(saying) (5)
Down
1 Teaching period (6)
3 School punishment (9)
5 Mark given in exam or for piece of school work
(5)
6 Formal written, spoken or practical test (4)
8 Educational establishment that receives no
money from the government (7,6)
9 Gain knowledge by studying (5)
10 Not a girl (3)
13 Teacher at a British university or college (5)
14 University discussion class (7)
16 Classroom furniture (5)
17 British exam usually taken in final year of school
(1,5)
19 Spoken exam (4)
21 Act dishonestly (in an exam) (5)
23 Money paid by student to school or university (4)
24 Join a course, school, etc. (5)
25 Second university degree in an arts subject
(abbr.) (2)
27 First university degree in science (abbr.) (3)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11
12
13 14
15 16
17
18 19
20
21 22 23 24 25
26
27
28
29
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
30. Education (2)
Across
3 Male pupil (9)
6 You need to pass these to succeed (5)
8 Dishonest pupil or student (5)
10 Area of study; controlled behaviour (10)
12 Place to study or borrow books (7)
14 Physical education (abbr.) (2)
16 Provides feedback on knowledge, skills,
attitudes (10)
19 I'm useless ____ maths (2)
20 Division of the school year (4)
22 Someone taking an examination (9)
23 British educational qualification taken at age
of 15 or 16 (abbr.) (4)
26 Number or letter showing standard of
somebody's work (4)
27 Former students (6)
28 To go to (school, university, etc.) (6)
30 Thin stick used for beating children as a
punishment (4)
Down
1 Person in charge of a school or department (4)
2 Achieve required standard in exam or test (4)
3 Summary of the subjects to be covered in a
course (8)
4 Religious song sung during school assembly
in UK (4)
5 Rest period (5)
7 A particular ability (5)
9 Child who stays away from school without
permission (6)
11 Lazy (4)
13 Take an exam again (5)
14 American equivalent of 'head teacher' (9)
15 To spend time learning about a subject (5)
16 Relating to schools, colleges, and universities
(8)
17 (Schools) funded by the government (5-3)
18 Mathematics (abbr.) (5)
21 (School) for both boys and girls (5)
24 Reduction in education budget? (4)
25 UK teachers' trade union (3)
29 Education (abbr.) (2)
1 2 3 4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14
15 16 17 18
19
20 21
22
23 24
25 26
27 28 29
30
Notes
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Solutions 19. Christmas (2) 20. Cinema
21. City Life 22. Clothes and Accessories (1)
23. Clothes and Accessories (2) 24. Computers
G1
R E E T2
I N3
G S4
S5
N6
O A O N7
A U8
G H T Y
O L9
O G R10
I O N I C
S T W W N
E M11
Y R R H M12
E R R Y R13
P A A U
S14
C A R15
F O16
W N P R17
E D
K E L A18
O
I B19
C B20
E L21
L S N22
O E L
C23
E I I E P
M24
A G I R25
I G B26
W27
E H
R V T H28
O L L Y X29
J30
O S E P H T A E M
L S N A A31
D
S32
L E I G H C33
A R D S
R1
A2
A3
D4
U5
B B6
E D7
E S8
C R I P9
T P L U
L T R D10
O D
E P11
B12
O X O F F13
I C E
A R J C I K C14
S15
H O W S16
E Q U E L B A
E D S17
C M M U R
S18
U B T I T L E S S19
E T
S20
C U O N A21
T O
P E22
N D R T C E O
Y R I A23
C T O R N
R24
O25
S26
C A R R F27
B28
O T H29
T Y E L
L I A S30
H O O T
W31
E S T E R N A32
D S P
S1
B2
M3
A Y O4
R M5
H S6
T O R E W C7
A
O U B T8
O W N H A L L
P9
U B B10
A R T L11
A
U Y O O12
H
K13
E R B A14
P A R T M E N T
B R15
O D
B16
U S U L17
I B18
R A R Y H19
Y S I U A I
P C20
H21
O S P I T A22
L G
A H L V H
S23
L U M B24
R I D G E F25
A R
S R E I N L I
C E N U A S
S26
H O P P I N G C E N T R E
O1
L2
F3
B4
O O T S5
U6
N D E R W E A R E E
N F S B7
L O U S8
E
D9
I E T J10
H T Y
R E I W11
R12
I N G
E U13
P14
A15
N O R A K T
S U N N S H
S16
H O R T S A H H17
E E L
S B18
R A T
M19
A T20
E R21
I A L B22
A G23
I
A I A E L L24
A C E25
T26
A G G E O A
C H S F27
U R V28
E S T
H29
A T I T30
I E
S31
K I R T S32
O S33
E W
S1
H R I N2
K C3
A P4
B5
P6
L O C7
E L8
O G O
I S9
N E A K E R S W C
P10
H E W S F T K
P E U P11
U T I E
E P12
A R K A M B13
E S14
T
R T L15
A B16
E L U
S17
L E E V E O D18
O N
R F19
W20
E A R G
S21
B22
O23
A L Y L
I I F24
A S T E N C25
O A T
L K F H R L S
K26
N I T H27
I G H H E E L S
N O A A E
S28
W I M M I N G T R U N K S
P1
A S S2
W O R D3
O4
I5
C A O P6
R I N T
C7
V D8
C A K
M9
O U S E M A T M10
S N11
P12
A R T T E R
C S13
P R E14
A D S H15
E E T O
O M A B16
U G
H17
A R D18
W A R E R19
E D O R
P E I D O A
C20
S L21
E D22
D23
I S K M
R K E R
L24
A P T O P L I B25
I26
T
S O S27
E R V E R28
C
C29
H I30
P T E O O
T F31
I L E M32
E N U
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
25. Countries 26. Crime and Punishment
27. Cycling 28. Easter
29. Education (1) 30. Education (2)
T1
H E2
N E3
T H E R L A N4
D S5
G N E W
B6
Y G A7
S I8
A W E
R P L R Z D
V9
I E T N A M A E E
T N I10
N D I A N
B11
A L I D S L
I P12
O R T U13
G A L
N C14
A S N
A I15
R E L A N16
D
K17
N T L O C18
O J19
A P A N P20
E R U H
R D L W I
G21
E R M A N Y B22
R A Z I L
A Y E
R1
E L2
E A S3
E Y4
G5
A S6
O I T T7
H E F T8
T
B A R R A R9
A P E
B10
U R G L A R Y R I A
E N S11
T A B L
R J12
U13
D G E C14
L
Y S L R D15
B16
O17
D18
E T19
E C T I V E L20
A W
K21
O M F A E
V22
I S A23
E24
V I D E N C E
D C25
O P N N K
I26
N Q F27
R A U D M28
U G29
A U I L A U
P30
R I S O N I N
T E31
M B E Z Z L E
T1
O W2
F3
O R K S4
Y H R P C5
C6
R7
I D E A P8
E D A L A
E E M9
A P10
E R B
V11
A12
L V13
E U D B14
E L L
T T N O E
H15
U B T C16
H A I17
N R18
E S19
T N I
L20
U G S21
A22
L U M I N I U23
M
M P D R E P
E H24
A N D L E B A R S M25
T N L T O
T26
A N D E M P27
U M P28
U P
E B A E
L29
U B R I C A T E E D30
I D
P1
O P2
E C3
A L4
E N D5
A R6
A A U O C7
C8
R U C I F9
Y C S R
A R I10
N K E O
H11
I D E I L S
E B12
D13
I S14
C I P L E S
U A H N
P15
B16
U N N Y E17
G G H18
U N T
A O S L O
L19
E N T B20
I B21
L E L22
A M23
B
M N A Y Y A
J24
E S U S F25
L O W E R S
T K I E C
U26
E S E H27
E
P28
A I N T C29
H I C K
L1
P2
H D3
D4
E G5
R E E6
E E7
X P8
E L9
R X
S B10
T R E11
S S A Y A
S12
C O R E I A D M
O Y N V R T13
E S14
T
N T15
R A I N U E D16
A17
I T T M E
L O E18
C O19
N O M I C S
D20
E A N S R R N K
V C A A S
C21
O E D H22
A L F23
T E24
R M25
H L O E N A26
T
E B27
A O E R
A S C28
L A S S R O O M
T29
E A C H L
H1
P2
S3
C H4
O O L B5
O Y
E6
X A M S7
Y Y R
A S K L M C8
H E A T9
D10
I11
S C I P L I N E A R
D L A K U
L L12
I B R A R13
Y A
P14
E U E N
R S15
A16
S S17
E S S M18
E N T
I A19
T C T I A
N U A A T T20
E R M21
C22
A N D I D A T E H I
I Y E E G23
C24
S E X
P N25
M26
A R K U E
A27
L U M N I U A28
T T E29
N D
L T C30
A N E S D
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Word List (alphabetical)
A level
AA
Abbey Road
ABC
Aberdeen
able
about
academic
accent
accident
accidents
account
accountant
ace
ache
acquit
act
actor
actress
ad
add
admit
ado
ads
affection
afraid
aft
after
afternoon
age
agent
aggro
ago
agony
agriculture
AIDS
aim
air
air bed
airbag
airline
airport
airsick
aisle
akin
album
ale
alerts
alien
alive
all
All Blacks
allergy
allowance
alpine
Alps
aluminium
alumni
am
AMA
ambulance
American
aml
Amy
anchorman
angels
ankle
Anna
anorak
another
answer
answerphone
ant
antibiotics
any
apartment
apple
apple pie
apply
appointment
apprentice
Arab
are
area
Argentinian
arm
arrive
arrow
arrows
art
arthritis
article
artificial
as
ascent
Asia
Asian
asleep
aspirin
ass
assessment
astronomer
at
at sea
ATB
ate
ATM
attend
attorney
aubergine
audience
aura
Aussie
Australian
author
avenue
awe
axe
axes
BA
baby
back
backs
bacon
bad
badmouth
bag
bagpipes
bah
baker
Bale
Bali
ball
ball boy
balls
balmy
bamboo
ban
banana
band
bandage
banger
bar
Barca
Bard
barmaid
barman
barmy
barn
barrel
based
baseline
basket
bass
bat
bathroom
baths
bats
battery
BBC
BC
beach
beans
bear
Beatlemania
beautiful
became
become
bee
beef
beep
beer
beermat
before
began
begin
begun
behind
Beijing
believing
bell
bells
belt
belt up
Ben Nevis
bend
bent
Bern
berth
best
bestseller
bet
better
beverage
BFA
bible
biceps
bicycle
bid
big
Big Ben
bikini
bill
billion
bimbo
biography
biology
bird
birth
bit
bite
bitter
black cab
black ice
blackmail
bladder
blanc
blarney
bled
bleed
blew
blind
Blitz
blockbuster
blog
bloke
blouse
blow
blown
blown up
BLT
blue
Bo
board
boarder
bobby
bomb
bone
bonnet
Bono
bonus
boo
booking
bookshop
boost
boot
boots
booze
bore
boring
born
borne
boss
both
bottom
bought
bow
bow tie
bowler hat
box
box office
boy
boyfriend
boys
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101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
Word Lists (by puzzle)
21. CITY LIFE
LA (2)
or (2)
bar (3)
bus (3)
far (3)
own (3)
pub (3)
beep (4)
flat (4)
kerb (4)
mall (4)
rush (4)
shop (4)
slum (4)
high-rise (4,4)
town hall (4,4)
bobby (5)
mayor (5)
store (5)
avenue (6)
bridge (6)
bypass (6)
church (6)
library (7)
suburbs (7)
building (8)
hospital (8)
shopping centre (8,6)
apartment (9)
cathedral (9)
metropolis (10)
22. CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES (1)
on (2)
so (2)
to (2)
up (2)
bag (3)
bra (3)
eat (3)
fit (3)
fur (3)
hat (3)
see (3
sew (3
tag (3)
tie (3)
belt (4)
diet (4)
heel (4)
lace (4)
left (4)
rags (4)
ring (4)
vest (4
boots (5)
jeans (5)
match (5)
purse (5)
skirt (5)
anorak (6)
blouse (6)
gloves (6)
shorts (6)
tights (6)
undress (7)
material (8)
washable (8)
synthetic (9)
underwear (9)
fashionable (11)
23. CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES (2)
cap (3)
don (3)
non (3)
off (3)
put (3)
bow tie (3,3)
dry clean (3,5)
best (4)
coat (4)
knit (4)
logo (4)
phew (4
silk (4)
wear (4)
high heels (4,5)
label (5)
parka (5)
bikini (6)
casual (6)
fasten (6)
pocket (6
shrink (6)
sleeve (6)
bowler hat (6,3)
fashion (7)
perfume (7)
sweater (7)
slippers (8)
sneakers (8)
swimming trunks
(8,6)
sunglasses (10)
24. COMPUTERS
HP (2)
IT (2)
MS (2)
or (2)
PC (2)
bit (3)
bug (3)
doc (3)
ink (3)
led (3)
Mac (3)
ROM (3)
chip (4)
data (4)
disk (4)
file (4)
icon (4)
menu (4)
redo (4)
save (4)
hard drive (4,5)
crash (5)
email (5)
paste (5)
print (5)
mouse mat (5,3)
cursor (6)
delete (6)
laptop (6)
server (6)
desktop (7)
netbook (7)
program (7)
hardware (8)
password (8)
spreadsheet (11)
Photocopiable © 2016 Jeffrey Hill — www.crosswordenglish.com 24
101 THEMATIC CROSSWORD PUZZLES FOR LEARNERS OF ENGLISH
25. COUNTRIES
USA (3)
The Netherlands
(3,11)
New Zealand (3,7)
Asia (4)
Bali (4)
Iran (4)
Peru (4)
Chile (5)
Egypt (5)
India (5)
Italy (5)
Japan (5)
Korea (5)
Brazil (6)
Canada (6)
Israel (6)
Norway (6
Sweden (6)
Britain (7)
England (7)
Germany (7)
Ireland (7)
Vietnam (7)
Portugal (8)
26. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
in (2)
to (2)
cop (3)
gas (3)
gun (3)
law (3)
mug (3)
owe (3)
try (3)
use (3)
fine (4)
liar (4)
rape (4)
stab (4)
visa (4)
fraud (5)
judge (5)
steal (5)
theft (5)
trial (5)
years (5)
acquit (6)
defend (6)
kidnap (6
prison (6)
release (7)
robbery (7)
burglary (8)
criminal (8)
embezzle (8)
evidence (8)
strangle (8)
blackmail (9)
detective (9)
27. CYCLING
to (2)
up (2)
ATB (3)
did (3)
hub (3)
map (3)
pad (3)
rim (3)
VTT (3)
bell (4)
lugs (4)
ride (4)
tyre (4)
pump up (4,2)
cable (5)
chain (5)
forks (5)
frame (5)
moped (5)
pedal (5)
speed (5)
valve (5
wheel (5)
inner tube (5,4)
carbon (6)
helmet (6)
saddle (6)
tandem (6)
spanner (7)
puncture (8)
aluminium (9)
lubricate (9)
handlebars (10)
28. EASTER
by (2)
he (2)
up (2)
ink (3)
lay (3)
egg hunt (3,4)
buns (4)
fish (4)
hide (4)
lamb (4)
Lent (4)
Palm (4)
pope (4)
rose (4)
holy week (4,4)
bible (5)
bunny (5)
chick (5)
cross (5)
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