| 100% | HOWSO | 5 | Question that demands an explanation |
| 56% | WHYS | 4 | Questions that demand reasons |
| 54% | HOW | 3 | Question calling for an explanation |
| 50% | ORISIT | 6 | Question that leaves an opening for doubt |
| 49% | WHO | 3 | Question that sounds like an owl's cry |
| 49% | WHO | 3 | Question that sounds like an owl's call |
| 49% | WHO | 3 | Question that's an anagram of 63-Down |
| 49% | HOW | 3 | Question that's an anagram of 62-Down |
| 49% | WHO | 3 | Question that sounds like an owl's sound |
| 49% | WHO | 3 | Question that's an anagram of 16-Across |
| 49% | HOW | 3 | Question that's an anagram of 35-Down |
| 49% | GETIT | 5 | Question that might follow an unsuccessful punch line |
| 47% | GETITNOW | 8 | Question after an explanation |
| 43% | WHO | 3 | Reporter's question that's an anagram of another |
| 40% | AXEBADBOADRE | 12 | Demand that a rap star fire an unproductive snake from his company? (6,8) |
| 40% | ANSWERME | 8 | Mom's demand for an explanation |
| 40% | BECAUSE | 7 | Word that often precedes an explanation |
| 40% | HERESTHETHING | 13 | Words that may precede an explanation |
| 38% | THEREYOUARE | 11 | Exclamation after completing an explanation |
| 38% | POSIT | 5 | Put forward as an explanation |
| 38% | ASKS | 4 | Demands an answer |
| 38% | CLAIM | 5 | Listing that might include an explanation of benefits |
| 37% | CLEARASMUD | 10 | Opaque, as an explanation |
| 37% | ASKS | 4 | Demands an answer, say |
| 37% | QUERY | 5 | Question that requests information |
| 37% | ORISIT | 6 | Question that introduces doubt |
| 37% | IKNOW | 5 | ''Don't need an explanation'' |
| 37% | GIST | 4 | Essence, as of an explanation |
| 36% | CANIGETAWITNESS | 15 | Question that might precede "Hallelujah!" |
| 36% | NOBRAINER | 9 | Question that practically answers itself |