Came across this puzzle a few years back and posted a couple of them in Rog's Rag Bags. Trouble is, I have all the answers, but not the reason for those answers. Some are obvious, others I just can't work out. So, I'm relying on you not only getting the correct answer, but explaining the reason behind it.
The puzzle:
Each of the 12 sets of words below has some unusual factor that is shared by the six words in the set. You must determine what that factor is and pick which of the three following words fits the same pattern. For example, given
sexes, mom, deified, level, pop and
redder with choices
divined, rotator and
starts, you'd pick
rotator as all the words are spelled the same forward and backward.
-1. SETTEE, RACCOON, EMBARRASS, APPELLATION, BASSOON, SUFFRAGETTE
Choices: BEDROOM, PROPELLER, EGGSHELL
-2. TEA, EYE, SEA, QUEUE, ARE, WHY
Choices: YOU, ATE, WEE
-3. MUSEUM, EARLOBE, YEARLY, SEAMSTRESS, WILLOW, DOODAD
Choices: COCOON, ERASER, TABLET
-4. YOUTH, THEMATIC, USHER, SHEIK, ITALICS, MEDIUM
Choices: THEATER, WEEVIL, DOMESTIC
-5. GIGGLING, REARRANGER, ASSESS, MINIMIZING, DIDDLED, PIZZAZZ
Choices: DEEDED, INTERMITTENT, CANDIDACY
-6. REVILED, STRESSED, REPAID, STAR, DRAWER, PARTS
Choices: VILE, REGARD, STINK
-7. PREVIEW, TALLOW, SELECTION, GOLDEN, BRAIDED, CLAMP
Choices: TRACING, CASHEW, CONVERT
-8. CIVIC, LIVID, MIX, MILL, VIVID, DILL
Choices: MIMIC, LICIT, MINIM
-9. BANANA, DEMONIC, FICKLE, HUMBUG, JABORANDI, LUCK
Choices: NEMESIS, NUDISM, MEGATON
-10. GEL, GROUP, PLACE, FIXED, RESOLUTE, ADJUST
Choices: USELESS, COLLECTION, AFGHAN
-11. RING, TOPS, MANATEE, WINDLESS, EARTH, ANGER
Choices: MATTER, TUNES, OUGHT
-12. ACCEPT, BEGINS, ABHORS, CHINOS, BILLOW, EFFORT
Choices: ALMOST, BEFORE, CENSOR
I'm relying on you...