| MINISPLITS | Zoned climate control options, and what this puzzle's circled letters form |
| CANDYCANE | Christmas tree decoration ... or a hint to what the circled letters form |
| CHEESEFILLING | Ravioli option, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| FASTFOOD | Speedy meal option, and what the answers to the starred clues literally are? |
| SPLITHAIRS | Nitpick, and what this puzzle's circled letters represent |
| RAINCOATS | Wet-weather gear, and what this puzzle's circled letters literally are? |
| BUILDABEAR | "The Stuff You Love" toy company, and what this puzzle's circled letters do |
| TAILENDS | Final parts, and what this puzzle's circled letters create |
| CORNERTHEMARKET | Get a monopoly (or what this puzzle's circled letters do) |
| ACUTABOVETHEREST | Superior ... or what this puzzle's circled letters represent? |
| CAPITALGAINS | What this puzzle's circled letters are with respect to the surrounding shaded squares? |
| SPOILSPORTS | Party poopers, or what this puzzle's circled letters do |
| BORDERSTATES | Geographic neighbors, or what this puzzle's circled letters literally are |
| CCS | E-mail options, and this puzzle's theme |
| SPREADTHEGOSPEL | Evangelize ... or what this puzzle's circled squares do? |
| FAMOUSCROSSINGS | What this puzzle's circled spaces represent |
| POTHOLES | Obstacles for a driver ... or what this puzzle's circled squares represent |
| MAKINGAPACT | Formally agreeing to terms, and what this puzzle's sets of circled letters are gradually doing |
| STOPLIGHT | Traffic control device, and what this puzzle's theme entries are supposed to mimic |
| SPQR | Which four letters form the motto of Rome? (1,1,1,1) |
