1. The same three-letter word can be inserted into the following words to create new ones. Can you determine the three-letter word and the new words?

SING
KING
WINING

2. The same two letters, in the same, consecutive order, when appropriately placed, will change each of the following words into new ones. Can you determine the two letters and the new words?

ROME
PARED
MAINE
DRAMA
SEARING

Answers:

1. The word is NOW:

SNOWING
KNOWING
WINNOWING

Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick
NOW APPEARING

2. The letters are CH:

CHROME
PARCHED
MACHINE
DRACHMA
SEARCHING

Credit: LA Times Crossword
Sylvia Bursztyn and Barry Tunick
CH-CH-CH-CHANGES