CUTTING GYM CLASS
LA Times Crossword
January 17, 2014
Daniel Landman

The first three words below can be changed in the same way to give new words. The answer to the last clue explains the change.

1. OPERATE
2. REPENT
3. HELPED
4. Cousin of "YUP"

Answer to #4:

NOPE

Answers to #1-3:

The first three words can be changed into new ones by dropping the letters PE.

1. ORATE
2. RENT
3. HELD

PE is short for Physical Education - gym class. 
NOPE should be read as NO  PE.