NY Times Crossword
July 27, 2006
Ethan Friedman
(Title shown below)

Consider this section of the puzzle:

              C
           P R
           L A
    S P A N
_  _  _ _ _
O Y N E S
R
E

Use the clues below to fill in the missing word that will make valid words for all the down words.

_ ORE - - - Had on one's back
S _ Y - - - - Not open
P _ N - - - - Skewer
PLA _ E - - Home, for one
CRAN_S -  Construction site sights

HINT:
Trick question

Answer:

Either of two letters can answer each clue. Both work equally well to answer the clue and to make valid words:

BORE or WORE
SLY or SHY
PAN or PIN 
PLACE or PLATE
CRANKS or CRANES - - - BLACK or WHITE

Puzzle title:
EMPEROR PENGUINS AND DAILY NEWSPAPERS