1. The same two letters, in the same, consecutive order, can be added to or inserted into each of the following words:

NEST

SWING

BARE

SIN

SAGE

CASH

BRED

2. The same three letters, in the same order, can be placed in the blanks below to form words:

B _ _ _ T

P _ _ _ E

D _ _ _ K

HINTS:

1. The two letters are added to SIN and CASH. They are inserted into the other words.

2. The first letter is R.

Answers:

1. The letters are EW.

NEWEST/SEWING/BEWARE/SINEW

SEWAGE/CASHEW/BREWED

Credit: NY Times Crossword - Mar. 7, 2004

Tyler Hinman - THAT'S DISGUSTING (adapted)

2. The letters are RUN.