All answers are five-letter words. Match a numbered and a lettered clue. Correct matches will be a pair of words that have all but one letter in common. The clues are in no particular order. When all clues have been answered the first and last letters of each answer will spell out undecipherable gibberish.

Example: woven tress / variety = braid / brand

-1. initiation
-2. spring, lobster or box
-3. educate
-4. circular
-5. word with charge and under
-6. track companion
-7. woodworking tool
-8. sci-fi weapon known by its acronym
-9. inquisition
-10. thin crisp cake
-11. union beginnings?

-a. confirm
-b. type of beer
-c. style
-d. melanoma
-e. landing
-f. word with mark and white
-g. reliable
-h. desire
-i. desolate
-j. brute
-k. short walk on the high seas?

8 / b = laser / lager

1/i start/stark

Yes

10/f. wafer/water

7. plane / k. plank

"When all clues have been answered the first and last letters of each answer will spell out undecipherable gibberish."

6/j. Field -> Fiend

Good answers

9/a. probe/prove

Nice Joan

4 / g = round / sound

3/h learn / yearn

I had thought about 3/h but then reconsidered and figured...

3 / d = tutor / tumor
5 / h = cover / covet

Your second thought are on the money PJ. Although "round" and "sound" are a good match for the remaining clues they don't fit the rest of the puzzle.

Nice try Gail.

Added clues for the rest.

I liked round/sound but how about...

4 / e = flyer / foyer