1. What one word can be inserted into all of the blanks, making every row into a word?

E_____H
QU_____Z
ST_____LE
HE_____H
M_____IAN
DEP_____ED

2. A three-letter word has been removed from each of the following clue words. Can you determine what it is?

_ _ _ EO
PA _ _ _ Y
_ _ _ ENT
E _ _ _ E
B_ _ A _

HINTS:
1. The word has three letters.
2. P _ _ _ UCT

Answers:

1. The word is ART:

EARTH
QUARTZ
STARTLE
HEARTH
MARTIAN
DEPARTED

2. The word is ROD:

(PRODUCT)
RODEO
PARODY
RODENT
ERODE
BROAD