| 100% | YES | 3 | Wry response to a this-or-that question |
| 58% | H&RBLOCK | 8 | Subject of the Final Jeopardy! question that knocked out Ken Jennings after a record 74 wins ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 55% | HOWSOON | 7 | Question in response to "I need this in a hurry" |
| 55% | HMM | 3 | Response to a thought-provoking question |
| 55% | ANSWER | 6 | Response to a question |
| 54% | ANS | 3 | Response to a question: Abbr. |
| 54% | NOSIR | 5 | Response to a general question? |
| 54% | ANS | 3 | Response to a question (Abbr.) |
| 54% | IDO | 3 | Response to a bailiff's question |
| 54% | ANS | 3 | Response to a question, for short |
| 54% | WHEREARTTHOU | 12 | Question that follows "O Brother" in film ... and a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 53% | BALLETANSWER | 12 | Response to a question about “Swan Lake”? |
| 53% | OUCH | 4 | Response to a burn or a pun |
| 53% | REACTION | 8 | Response to a situation, stimulus or treatment |
| 53% | WINWINSITUATION | 15 | Scenario that works out for everyone... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 52% | INTHISECONOMY | 13 | Jokey question in response to a statement that may have nothing to do with money |
| 51% | ALLERGY | 7 | Bodily response to a food that irritates |
| 51% | BBB | 3 | Grp. that battles consumer fraud ... or a hint to some much-repeated letters in this puzzle |
| 51% | ANSWER | 6 | A response to a question |
| 51% | YOUDONTSAY | 10 | "Is that so?," or a hint to the communication methods found in this puzzle's circled letters |
| 50% | WHATSINTHEBOXES | 15 | Question asked by a customs officer or a kid on Christmas ... with a hint to this puzzle's circled squares |
| 50% | NOCOMMENT | 9 | Dismissive response to a reporter's question: 2 wds. |
| 50% | BOO | 3 | Audience response to a joke that goes too far |
| 50% | GROSS | 5 | "That's repulsive!" ... or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 49% | ENTER | 5 | Key that moves the cursor to the next line ... or a hint to answering five clues in this puzzle |
| 49% | ISPYWITHMYLITTLEEYE | 19 | Children's game phrase that should start the italicized clues … or a hint to eight squares in this puzzle |
| 49% | OKSHOOT | 7 | Response to "I have a question for you" |
| 49% | WHATSYOURETA | 12 | Response to “On my way” . . . or a question about the different pronunciations of 20-, 33-, and 40-Across? |
| 48% | LOL | 3 | Response to a funny text, and a hint to this puzzle's five longest answers |
| 48% | ASK | 3 | To pose or say a question |