Theme: Things That Are Hollow

From musical instruments and natural structures to everyday containers, these nine answers all contain an empty space or cavity inside.

9 themed words All 26 letters covered Vowels shown in gold Consonants hidden in blue
1
  O  
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  1. This container can be made from cardboard, wood, plastic, or metal.
  2. It usually has space inside for storing something.
  3. Packages are often shipped in one.
  4. Its walls surround a hollow interior.
Reveal answer
B O X
Background information
A box is a container with an enclosed or partly enclosed interior space. Boxes come in many materials and are used for storage, packaging, transport, and organization.
2
  U  
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  1. This container is designed to hold liquids.
  2. It usually has a handle for pouring.
  3. Its empty interior can be filled with water, milk, or another drink.
  4. It may have a narrow opening or pouring spout.
Reveal answer
J U G
Background information
A jug is a hollow container used to hold and pour liquids. Its internal cavity provides storage while its handle and opening make pouring easier.
3
  U I    
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  1. This comes from a bird's feather.
  2. Its shaft contains an empty central space.
  3. It was once widely used for writing with ink.
  4. It is a hollow feather shaft once commonly used as a writing pen.
Reveal answer
Q U I L L
Background information
A quill is traditionally made from the hollow shaft of a large bird feather. Properly cut and prepared quills were widely used as writing instruments before metal pen nibs became common.
4
    U   E
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  1. This is a wind instrument.
  2. Air travels through its body to create sound.
  3. Openings along its length help produce different notes.
  4. Its tube is hollow from one end toward the other.
Reveal answer
F L U T E
Background information
A flute produces sound when air interacts with an opening and vibrates within its hollow body. Changing which tone holes are open alters the effective length of the vibrating air column.
5
    U  
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  1. This percussion instrument is usually struck to make sound.
  2. A stretched membrane covers part of its body.
  3. The empty space inside helps shape its sound.
  4. It can be played with hands or sticks.
Reveal answer
D R U M
Background information
Many drums consist of a hollow shell with one or more membranes, called drumheads, stretched across openings. The shell and enclosed air contribute to the instrument's resonance.
6
      A  
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  1. This narrow tube is commonly used with drinks.
  2. Liquid travels through its empty center.
  3. It may be made from paper, plastic, metal, or other materials.
  4. You sip through its hollow interior.
Reveal answer
S T R A W
Background information
A drinking straw is a narrow hollow tube that allows liquid to move upward when pressure inside the tube is reduced by sipping.
7
  U   U   E   A
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  1. This long horn became internationally famous at football matches.
  2. It produces a loud, buzzing tone.
  3. Air is blown through its hollow body.
  4. It is a long hollow horn famous for its loud buzzing sound.
Reveal answer
V U V U Z E L A
Background information
The vuvuzela is a long plastic horn strongly associated with South African football culture. Blowing through its hollow tube produces its distinctive loud buzzing sound.
8
  U       I  
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  1. This large fruit is closely associated with autumn.
  2. Its center contains seeds and stringy pulp.
  3. It is often emptied before being carved for Halloween.
  4. It is a large fruit with a hollow center filled with seeds.
Reveal answer
P U M P K I N
Background information
Pumpkins contain a central seed cavity surrounded by thick flesh. When making a jack-o'-lantern, the seeds and fibrous material are removed to create a large hollow interior.
9
  O   E     O    
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  1. This structure is made by bees.
  2. It contains many repeating six-sided cells.
  3. Its cells can hold honey, pollen, or developing young.
  4. The many individual cavities make the structure largely hollow.
Reveal answer
H O N E Y C O M B
Background information
Honeycomb is built from beeswax and consists of repeating hexagonal cells. The hollow cells are used by bees for storing honey and pollen and for raising brood.

Things That Are Hollow Trivia

🪶 Pens From Feathers
For centuries, prepared feather quills served as important writing instruments because their hollow shafts could hold and deliver small amounts of ink.
🎵 Air Makes the Music
In wind instruments such as flutes, vibrating air inside a hollow tube is fundamental to producing musical notes.
🎃 Inside a Pumpkin
A pumpkin naturally contains a central cavity holding seeds and fibrous strands, which are commonly scooped out before carving.
🐝 Tiny Hollow Rooms
Honeycomb is composed of closely packed cells that give bees efficient spaces for storing food and raising their young.