Cryptic Clusters

A cryptic cluster is an instructional puzzle. It is a combination of a word association test and a cryptogram.

The puzzle displays a list of items that belong to the same category. The items are coded with a substitution code in which every letter of the alphabet is consistently replaced by another letter.
Here’s a sample cryptic cluster, complete with the solution (in parentheses):

Types of Training Games and Activities

  1. UPWLZ YWAMJ (BOARD GAMES)

  2. EWLZ YWAMJ (CARD GAMES)

  3. ERPJMLJ (CLOSERS)

  4. EPATHVML YWAMJ (COMPUTER GAMES)

  5. CEMULMWBMLJ (ICEBREAKERS)

  6. PTMIMLJ (OPENERS)

  7. LPRM-TRWNJ (ROLE-PLAYS)

Printed below is a cryptic cluster puzzle that I recently used in a workshop on presentation skills. Try your hand at solving it.

Twenty Mistakes Presenters Make

  1. TC RAKTCW PVS RCWYAHR.

  2. SYRPUUCPW YKKCSYPFCEI PXFCW FJC UWCRCVFPFYAV.

  3. SAV’F GJCGL AHF FJC CZHYUKCVF TCXAWCJPVS.

  4. SWCRR REAUUYEI.

  5. XYVYRJ PTWHUFEI.

  6. OCF SCXCVRYNC DJCV RAKCAVC PRLR ZHCRFYAVR.

  7. OYNC FJC RPKC RUCCGJ FA SYXXCWCVF PHSYCVGCR.

  8. YOVAWC XCCSTPGL XWAK FJC PHSYCVGC.

  9. LCCU FPELYVO TCIAVS RGJCSHECS FYKC.

  10. UPGC TPGL PVS XAWFJ.

  11. UWCRCVF P EAF AX YVXAWKPFYAV YV P RJAWF FYKC.

  12. WPFFEC GJPVOC AW LCIR YV IAHW UAGLCF.

  13. WCPS IAHW RUCCGJ.

  14. RUCPL AV P FAUYG IAH SAV’F LVAD.

  15. RFPVS XWAMCV TCJYVS FJC UASYHK.

  16. TCOYV IAHW UWCRCVFPFYAV EPFC.

  17. HRC AXX-GAEAW BALCR.

  18. HRC YVPUUWAUWYPFC RUAWFR PVPEAOYCR.

  19. HRC FCGJVYGPE BPWOAV PVS XAWKPE EPVOHPOC.

  20. HRC FAA KPVI UADCWUAYVF REYSCR.

Clue

Want to see a clue to help you started on solving this puzzle?  You will see the clue at the end of this article.

Solution

Check your solutions with the official answers at the end of this article, after the clue.

Create Your Own Cryptic Clusters

You will find different cryptogram creators on the Internet. Here’s one we recommend:
https://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/cryptogram

You can use a cryptic cluster puzzle any time you have an open question with alternative responses.

Here are some cryptic cluster topics we have used in our recent training materials:

  1. African countries

  2. Desirable habits of a facilitator

  3. Differences that make a difference

  4. Different interventions for improving performance

  5. Essential behaviors of a manager

  6. Leadership traits

  7. Rules for active listening

Clue

One of the mistakes in the list:

GIVE THE SAME SPEECH TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES.

Solution

  1. BE SOMBER AND SERIOUS.

  2. DISAPPEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PRESENTATION.  

  3. DON’T CHECK OUT THE EQUIPMENT BEFOREHAND.

  4. DRESS SLOPPILY.

  5. FINISH ABRUPTLY.

  6. GET DEFENSIVE WHEN SOMEONE ASKS QUESTIONS.

  7. GIVE THE SAME SPEECH TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES.

  8. IGNORE FEEDBACK FROM THE AUDIENCE.

  9. KEEP TALKING BEYOND SCHEDULED TIME.

  10. PACE BACK AND FORTH.

  11. PRESENT A LOT OF INFORMATION IN A SHORT TIME.

  12. RATTLE CHANGE OR KEYS IN YOUR POCKET.

  13. READ YOUR SPEECH.

  14. SPEAK ON A TOPIC YOU DON’T KNOW.

  15. STAND FROZEN BEHIND THE PODIUM.

  16. BEGIN YOUR PRESENTATION LATE.

  17. USE OFF-COLOR JOKES.

  18. USE INAPPROPRIATE SPORTS ANALOGIES.

  19. USE TECHNICAL JARGON AND FORMAL LANGUAGE.

  20. USE TOO MANY POWERPOINT SLIDES.