NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
December 9, 2012
Will Shortz

The following words can be changed into new words according to a certain pattern. What is the pattern and what are the new words?

SAKE
RAVE
LEAP
RIMS
SOME
SEAR
LICE
LEES

Answers:

Each word can be changed into a new one by adding the letters QU and re-arranging the resulting letters:

SAKE + QU = SQUEAK
RAVE + QU = QUAVER
LEAP + QU = PLAQUE
RIMS + QU =  SQUIRM
SOME + QU = MOSQUE
SEAR + QU = SQUARE
LICE + QU = CLIQUE
LEES + QU = SEQUEL