Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Metal for a first-place medal
GOLD - 2
Gave away in exchange for money
SOLD - 3
Bottom of a person's foot
SOLE - 4
Vaguely defined amount between none and all
SOME - 5
Where many people go after work
HOME
Top + bottom clue
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase in the name of a cape on the coast of South Africa. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
The complete word ladder
Read from top to bottom. Highlighted letters show what changes from the previous word.
- GOODTop endpoint
- GOLDGOOD → GOLD changes position 3 from O to L.
- SOLDGOLD → SOLD changes position 1 from G to S.
- SOLESOLD → SOLE changes position 4 from D to E.
- SOMESOLE → SOME changes position 3 from L to M.
- HOMESOME → HOME changes position 1 from S to H.
- HOPEHOME → HOPE changes position 3 from M to P.
How the endpoints answer the clue
GOOD + HOPE
The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase in the name of a cape on the coast of South Africa. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | GOOD GOOD is the answer to “The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase in the name of a cape on the coast of South Africa. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.” and serves as an endpoint. | Start of ladder |
| Metal for a first-place medal | GOLD GOLD is the answer to “Metal for a first-place medal”. | GOOD → GOLD changes position 3 from O to L. |
| Gave away in exchange for money | SOLD SOLD is the answer to “Gave away in exchange for money”. | GOLD → SOLD changes position 1 from G to S. |
| Bottom of a person's foot | SOLE SOLE is the answer to “Bottom of a person's foot”. | SOLD → SOLE changes position 4 from D to E. |
| Vaguely defined amount between none and all | SOME SOME is the answer to “Vaguely defined amount between none and all”. | SOLE → SOME changes position 3 from L to M. |
| Where many people go after work | HOME HOME is the answer to “Where many people go after work”. | SOME → HOME changes position 1 from S to H. |
| Bottom endpoint | HOPE HOPE is the answer to “The top + bottom rows = A two-word phrase in the name of a cape on the coast of South Africa. Keep in mind: The first word may be at the bottom.” and serves as an endpoint. | HOME → HOPE changes position 3 from M to P. |
How to work out the order
GOOD → GOLD starts the chain with a change in position 3. From there, the changed positions run 3, 1, 4, 3, 1, 3, which is a quick way to verify the order without relying on meaning alone.
- Solve the middle clues, then anchor GOLD beside GOOD because they differ at exactly one position.
- Continue through GOLD → SOLD → SOLE → SOME → HOME, checking spelling position by position rather than grouping words by topic.
- Place HOPE at the other endpoint and use the shared endpoint clue to connect GOOD with HOPE.
One takeaway
This edition rewards positional checking: its 6 legal moves change letter positions 3, 1, 4, 3, 1, 3. When the clue meanings wander, the one-letter rule keeps the ladder from wandering with them.
More CrossClimb
Nearby editions: #922 · 2026-11-08 · #920 · 2026-11-06