| 100% | BLUBBER | 7 | A qulliq is a stone lamp burning seal oil or this |
| 35% | HEPATITIS | 9 | This may be A or B |
| 35% | ICE | 3 | A drink is incomplete without a cube or two of this |
| 34% | ALIGHT | 6 | A lamp is burning |
| 33% | OVEN | 4 | A kiln is one of these, used for wood or clay |
| 33% | COMPUTER | 8 | A Mac or iMac is a type of this |
| 33% | BREAKOUT | 8 | This could be a pimple or a sudden success |
| 33% | TURNCOAT | 8 | Benedict Arnold was a traitor or this |
| 33% | DRAY | 4 | A group of squirrels is called a scurry or this |
| 33% | SKUNKS | 6 | A group of these animals is a stench or surfeit |
| 33% | WUTHERING | 9 | These Heights are a Brontë novel or Kate Bush song |
| 33% | FUNGUS | 6 | A mushroom or toadstool is this |
| 32% | BRULE | 5 | Creme this is a set custard dessert, burnt on top |
| 32% | CHILDCARE | 9 | This is provided by a nursery or preschool |
| 32% | ALIEN | 5 | A thing or being not from this planet |
| 31% | REPTILE | 7 | A snake or lizard is this class of animal |
| 30% | TICKALLTHEBOXES | 15 | Be fully qualified ... or a hint to interpreting this puzzle's shaded squares |
| 29% | JADE | 4 | Green stone that a dragon or Buddha may be carved from |
| 29% | ITSADOGSLIFE | 12 | Comment when things are tough … or a title for this puzzle |
| 29% | DROPMEALINE | 11 | "Don't be a stranger!" ... or what you have to do three times in this puzzle |
| 29% | PAINT | 5 | 1966 Rolling Stones hit ... or an instruction to be followed four times in this puzzle |
| 29% | NOID | 4 | Reason to be barred from a bar ... or the theme of this puzzle |
| 28% | BETWEENYOUANDME | 15 | "Let this be our little secret" ... with a hint to 18-, 23-, 50- or 54-Across |
| 28% | FINISHINGSCHOOL | 15 | Where social graces were once taught ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 28% | ANGEL | 5 | Heavenly being with a halo or connect this to 14a to get a tasty treat |
| 28% | BIGSHOESTOFILL | 14 | High standards established by a predecessor … or what you are presented with in this puzzle? |
| 28% | ITHASITSUPSANDDOWNS | 19 | "There are positives as well as negatives" ... or a description of this puzzle's theme |
| 28% | WIRETAP | 7 | This is a recording |
| 28% | ASSAY | 5 | This is a test |
| 28% | EXAM | 4 | This is a test |